Mongolia's Search for a China-Russia Counterbalance

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to be in Mongolia from Aug. 21 to Aug. 23. Landlocked between China and Russia, Mongolia has long fought for survival by attempting to balance its two powerful neighbors and establish relationships with outside countries to reduce its China-Russia reliance. Mongolia is now attempting to use its abundant resources to attract the attention of the United States and others. However, Mongolia's strategic position between China and Russia also makes it difficult for other countries to actively intervene in times of crisis or gain access to the country. It is unlikely that any third parties will be able to fulfill Mongolia's search for a "third power" to more fully balance Chinese and Russian influence.