> The US and Russia should be natural allies. <
Yep. The two greatest threats to Western civilization are the Muslims and China. It would make sense for the US and Russia to be allied against that.
But I doubt if it would ever happen. Because there are shortsighted people in both DC and Moscow. And there are aggressive people in both DC and Moscow.
No, they are Russia and Muslims. China has not fought a major war in the last 70 years. They want Taiwan but, as far as invading other parts of Asia they have never shown an interest in the past 50 years.
If they really did what would happen to them? Can’t they see what the embargo that the rest of the world is doing to Russia would do to them? Just look at the alliance we have in place against Russia. Do you really not see how that could detract China from following such a rash policy? China is basically a very isolated and cautious country that really does not want to mix it up with others. Even Mao mellowed out towards the end of his years and sought connection with the west so I don’t see China being a problem except for Taiwan.
If their is any plans to become more aggressive, then supporting Ukraine and seeing a win with them would be a powerful incentive not to start something.
Russia isn’t part of the West. There were periods in their history where Russia reached out to the West. Peter the Great. Then Boris Yeltsin. But for most part of their history, they want nothing to do with the West.