We’ve been warning people about the rise of a modern-era axis of evil for quite a while. Particularly in these tense times, the two most obvious candidates for membership in this Injustice League are Russia and China, but there are several others in the running. These include Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela, among others. But now, former Russian President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev appears to be making it official. He’s not literally calling it an axis of evil, of course. But the intent is crystal clear. He told reporters this week that the actions of the United States and our allies in Ukraine will lead to the rise of a new “anti-American alliance.” He didn’t bother to point out that such an alliance has already been growing under the covers for some time now. (Newsweek)

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned of a new anti-American military coalition amid growing tensions over the Ukraine war.

The United States and Russia have long viewed each other as adversaries on the global stage, however Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s invasion of Ukraine last February saw the two countries grow even further apart as the U.S. backed Kyiv, providing the Eastern European nation humanitarian and military aid, resulting in fierce condemnation from the Kremlin.

Even Medvedev, a Putin ally who was once seen as more even-tempered in dealings with the West, has now taken on stronger anti-West rhetoric amid the conflict. He now serves as the deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russia Federation, and in recent weeks launched several verbal attacks on the West, including the U.S.

Medvedev made it clear that the Russian Federation is open to formalizing a military alliance with “other countries opposed to U.S. hegemony.” He also accused the United States of sending more powerful weapons to Ukraine in an effort to “wear us down, or rather, destroy us.”

I’d argue with Medvedev if he wasn’t so obviously correct. Whether you support the idea of perpetually supporting Ukraine against Russia or not, we’ve clearly been engaged in a proxy war against the Russians while still trying to “keep our hands clean” on the world stage. The idea that the Russians haven’t noticed this is absurd.

What Medvedev and Putin are both really talking about is the resurrection of the old Warsaw Pact, except on a more global basis rather than limiting it to eastern Europe. Making such an alliance “official” would be viewed as bumping us one notch closer to a potential world war three scenario. This is more than a little concerning because while Russia’s military has been shown to be something of a paper tiger (aside from its nukes, of course), some of its allies are far more formidable, particularly China.

While we’re on the subject, Russia may have more allies waiting in the wings than the ones I mentioned above. We just learned that the axis of evil could have yet another member. Russia and China are now planning on conducting military drills with South Africa. (Yahoo News)

A Russian warship armed with new-generation hypersonic cruise weapons will participate in joint exercises with the navies of China and South Africa in February, the Russian state agency, TASS, said on Monday.

It was the first official mention of the participation by the frigate, “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov,” which is armed with Zircon missiles.

So the Russians have not only completed the development and testing of their new hypersonic Zircon missiles but they’ve got a warship set up that can fire them. America’s hypersonic missile program is still playing catch-up, so that’s even more bad news. But since when have the South Africans been cozying up to Russia?

That’s been going on for quite a while, actually. South Africa has enjoyed support from Russia going back deep into the Soviet era. Russia provided a lot of monetary help when the country was trying to end apartheid. Also, some of the old guard in the African National Congress has gotten very wealthy and lined their pockets with Russian cash. They don’t tend to forget their friends and benefactors easily. That’s probably why South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has yet to condemn the invasion of Ukraine and even allowed the yacht of Russian oligarch Alexey Mordashov to dock in his country.

South Africa would like to play both sides of the fence and remain friendly with both Russia and the United States. But if they’re forced to make a choice, it’s pretty clear which way they would lean. And if a new military alliance against America takes form, don’t be shocked if you see them signing up.