well they are certainly illiberal but what actually guides these country is being actual real sovereign countries. they arenโt ruled by a secret elite, they are just governed by the leaders that have approval from the people.
Applebaum: What binds Russia, China, Iran and North Korea is not religion or ideology.
China is communist, Russia nationalist, Iran theocratic. What binds them is fear of liberal language: rights, rule of law, separation of powers and independent courts. 1/