Russian and Chinese strategic bombers carried out an exercise off Alaska on Wednesday. The intent of this exercise was likely twofold: First, to dangle the threat of China and Russia fighting together in a future war with the United States. Second, to exert pressure against U.S. support for Ukraine and Taiwan and galvanize isolationist sentiments in the Republican Party.

The exercise involved two Russian TU-95MS strategic bombers and two Chinese H-6 strategic bombers. The TU-95s probably belong to a heavy bomber regiment based out of a Ukrainian air base near Russia’s southeastern border with China. While the aircrafts entered the Alaska air defense identification zone, they did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace.