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From Asia, Europe to Middle East, Partners & Allies

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World Order & the Need for Partners in the Strategic Places

South Eye | Report - Exclusive

From Europe, Eastern Asia to Middle East, Analysis on U.S and its Allies efforts to Maintain the World Stability and Partnerships Building:

Yet, we will not talk about Taiwan or Philippine, but about the transformation of Mongolia's business environment through initiatives like green bonds, introduced with the support of Western institutions such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) which represents more than just an economic milestone. It underscores a deliberate and strategic effort to counteract Russia's pervasive influence in regions where its sway has historically been dominant. In doing so, the West, particularly through U.S-backed financial and developmental frameworks, is reshaping the geopolitical landscape in subtle yet profound ways.

As known, Russia has long used its geographic proximity, energy exports, and historical ties to assert influence over nations like Mongolia. The introduction of innovative financial instruments like green bonds directly challenges this status quo. Green bonds are not merely tools for funding sustainable projects—they are catalysts for a broader economic realignment. By enabling businesses like as ex: Erdenebayar Jamiyansengee’s beverage company which thrive to sustainably, so Mongolia can begin to diversify its economy away from traditional extractive industries often tethered to Russian interests. This economic diversification is so critical. As countries that heavily reliant on sectors where Russia holds dominance, such as fossil fuels or mining, are more susceptible to political coercion or economic manipulation. Thus, by encouraging industries like renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, and green enterprise, Western-backed initiatives not only bolster local economies but also dilute the monopolistic grip Russia seeks to maintain over its neighbors. Mongolia’s green bond program is a prime example of this recalibration-empowering local businesses to innovate independently, thus creating a buffer against external interference. Moreover, the infusion of U.S-aligned funding into Mongolian ventures also serves as a statement about governance and values. Russian investments often come with political strings attached, leveraging financial dependence to extract concessions. In contrast, Western-backed investments prioritize transparency, sustainability, and long-term growth. This difference is not merely ideological but practical: it enables recipient nations to avoid falling into cycles of debt or dependence that could compromise their sovereignty.

The ripple effects of such initiatives extend beyond Mongolia’s borders. As more nations in Russia’s traditional sphere of influence embrace Western financial models, the allure of Moscow’s partnerships diminishes. Countries that once viewed Russia as an indispensable partner for development now have alternatives—alternatives that come with fewer political risks and greater prospects for sustainable growth. This shift gradually weakens Russia's ability to project its influence globally. Furthermore, these investments contribute to broader geopolitical stability. A Mongolia that thrives independently through Western-backed mechanisms can play a more significant role as a regional stabilizer. By reducing its economic vulnerability, Mongolia can resist becoming a pawn in larger geopolitical conflicts involving Russia or even China. This stability benefits not only the region but also global trade and energy markets.

In essence, initiatives like Mongolia’s green bonds exemplify how the U.S and its allies use economic tools as a form of soft power to counter Russian influence. By fostering local resilience, they erode the foundations of dependency that Russia has historically relied upon. This is not merely about economic development, it’s about building a framework for sovereignty and autonomy in regions where such qualities have often been compromised. For Mongolia, and nations like it, the support of the West offers a path to a more independent and prosperous future, free from the shadow of great-power coercion.

This support is not exclusive on Mongolia economic, but applied to security support to even the smallest partners such Montenegro which NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's reaffirmation of Montenegro's critical role within the alliance, as it comes at a time when the West's strategic priorities are shifting in response to escalating threats from Russia. Rutte's remarks, emphasizing the growing pressures Montenegro faces, highlight the broader challenge of protecting smaller nations within the NATO fold from Russian hybrid warfare, 

Montenegro, despite its size, holds significant strategic value due to its position in the Balkans and its role as a vital link between Europe and the Adriatic. By reaffirming Montenegro’s place within NATO, Rutte is reinforcing a key principle of collective security: even the smallest members of the alliance have a voice and will be defended against external threats. However, his statement also underscores the urgent need for NATO to adapt its strategies to counter non-traditional threats like cyberattacks and information warfare, tools Russia even China have frequently used to destabilize and undermine Western unity as we saw that in Romania lastly.

The speech aligns seamlessly with the broader narrative of the West’s efforts to counteract Russian influence globally, including in regions outside NATO's immediate purview. For example, in Mongolia, Western support for green economic initiatives serves as a direct challenge to Russia's economic dominance. Similarly, NATO's continued investment in Montenegro ensures the country remains a steadfast ally while resisting Moscow's overtures.

Drawing Parallels with South Yemen which decisively offers a compelling parallel. Like Montenegro, South holds significant geopolitical value due to its strategic location near key maritime routes in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. A stable, Western-aligned South could serve as a crucial partner in minimizing Russian and Chinese influence in the region, similar to how Montenegro acts as a bulwark for NATO in the Balkans.

South's aspirations for independence and its alignment with Western principles, such as democratic governance, order stability and counter-terrorism, position it as a potential ally for the U.S and Europe. By supporting South's bid for self-determination and integrating it into broader security, economic, political even military frameworks, the West could achieve multiple objectives: securing vital trade routes, countering Iranian influence, and denying Russia a foothold in the Arabian Peninsula. Russia’s growing presence in the Red Sea region, through partnerships with Sudan and Eritrea, demonstrates its intention to expand its influence in strategically critical areas, making South's alignment with the West even more vital.

Rutte’s focus on Montenegro’s role within NATO and the broader effort to counter Russian influence is emblematic of a larger, coordinated strategy to ensure smaller nations are not left vulnerable to Moscow’s ambitions. South, if embraced by the West, could follow a similar path. Western engagement, whether through economic investments, security partnerships, or diplomatic recognition, could solidify South's position as a regional ally. This would not only contribute to regional stability but also create another barrier to Russia’s global aspirations.

In essence, the cases of Montenegro and South illustrate the necessity of a multi-pronged approach to counter Russian influence. Through military alliances like NATO and economic initiatives such as green bonds, the West can empower nations to resist external pressures and contribute to a more stable global order. By drawing these connections, the strategy becomes clear: fostering partnerships that align with Western values and interests while denying adversaries the opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities.

Furthermore, This strategic opportunity will stand firmly against the ongoing aggression by the Houthi movement in north of Yemen which poses significant challenges to Western, particularly U.S, interests in the region. The Houthis, aligned with Iran & Russia, have demonstrated their capability to threaten vital maritime routes, disrupt energy supplies, and escalate instability across the Middle East. In this context, allying with South emerges as a strategic imperative for countering Houthi aggression and safeguarding its allies interests.

Same as Montenegro, Greece, Ukraine, Philippine, Singapore & Taiwan, South’s location near the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait makes it a linchpin in global trade and energy transportation. This maritime corridor is one of the world’s most critical chokepoints, connecting the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. A stable and cooperative South could ensure the security of this passage, countering Houthi threats to international shipping and deterring Iranian expansionism in the region.

As seen, the Houthis have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to target Western interests, including attacks on Saudi oil facilities, strikes on ships, and threats to U.S allies in the Gulf & Europe. Their acquisition of advanced weaponry from Russia & Iran—such as ballistic missiles and drones—amplifies the threat. A Western-aligned South surely will provide the United States and its allies with a reliable partner to counterbalance these threats through intelligence sharing, logistical support, and military cooperation.

Unlike the Houthis, whose actions have destabilized the broader region, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) has shown a commitment to restoring order in its natural territories. The STC, which governs key southern regions, has established effective security mechanisms, curtailed extremist activities, and maintained relative stability compared to Houthi-controlled areas. These achievements make South a viable partner for Western efforts to counter terrorism and maintain regional security.

For the United States, allying with South offers a twofold advantage: securing a foothold in a volatile region and demonstrating support for a movement aligned with democratic governance and self-determination. Such an alliance would also weaken the Houthis’ ability to project power, as South's control over strategic territories would limit their operational reach. Moreover, the Houthi movement serves as a proxy for Iran, enabling Tehran to extend its influence into the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea. This relationship threatens not only regional stability but also the broader strategic interests of the United States and its allies. By supporting South, the West can disrupt this dynamic, denying Iran & Russia a key partner in its regional ambitions.

A strong South could act as a bulwark against Iranian expansion & Russia exploitation, much like other Western-aligned states in the region. This would require investments in South’s security infrastructure, economic development, and governance capacity. Such support would not only enhance South’s resilience but also create a counter-narrative to Iranian-backed destabilization efforts.

Aligning with South also fits within the broader U.S strategy of countering malign influences in the Middle East, including those from Russia and China. While Russia has sought to expand its presence in the Red Sea through partnerships with Sudan and Eritrea, China’s Belt and Road Initiative has also targeted the region for economic and strategic gains. A Western-backed South could serve as a counterweight to these efforts, ensuring that the region remains aligned with Western interests.

Moreover, South’s alignment with the West would send a strong message to other regional actors about the United States’ commitment to its allies and partners. This could deter further aggression by adversaries and encourage other nations to strengthen their ties with the West, especially amid Russia and China continued tries to weaken US by dismantling the relationships its with regional partners & abroad.

So, it seems clearly that supporting South requires a multifaceted approach, combining diplomatic recognition, economic investment, and military cooperation. Hence, the United States and its allies should prioritize engaging with the STC to develop a comprehensive partnership framework. This could include:

Providing training, equipment, and intelligence to enhance South's capacity to counter Houthi and Iranian threats. Also, investing in infrastructure, energy, and social services to strengthen South’s governance and resilience, in addition to advocate for South's inclusion in international forums and recognizing its right to self-determination.

Such measures would not only strengthen South but also contribute to broader regional stability, benefiting the United States and its allies.

The alliance between the United States and South represents a strategic opportunity to counter Houthi aggression, disrupt Iranian influence, and secure one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors. By supporting South’s aspirations for independence and stability, the West can achieve its goals of ensuring regional security and protecting its strategic interests. This partnership would be a testament to the enduring value of alliances based on shared principles and mutual benefit, especially as the southern people's main goal is independence which US can provide.