theory Realist would suggest that Russia and China are joining forces to balance against the rising threat of the US - US's withdrawing from ABM treaty, the joint statement of Putin and Jiang declaring their worries and disappointment of it, pointing out US's unilateralist actions - Arms sales from Russia to China China gains by acquiring weapons, becoming more militarily powerful Russia gains by having ally an that has more military might, in addition to the revenue from the weapons sales Two interpretations of Realist point of view: could also say that they're only looking out for themselves, therefore they're only forming a temporary e...