Russia and China are staging joint war games in a show of unity amid 'mounting pressure' from the West. An estimated 13,000 troops from the People's Liberation Army and the Russian Army have taken part in the exercises in northwestern China. The military drills reflect closer ties between Beijing and Moscow, with the Russian media stressing their aim as being to counter 'mounting pressure' from the West. They also come as both countries join Western and other international powers in attempting to secure stability in Afghanistan as US-led forces leave and the Taliban continue to make territorial gains. Footage showed…