Beijing’s Middle East Balancing Test: China’s Stakes in the Israel–U.S. War With Iran
The Diplomat interview indicates China’s primary interests in the Israel–U.S. war with Iran are energy security, protection of overseas nationals, and preserving a carefully balanced network of regional relationships. The conflict also offers Beijing intelligence value on U.S. military operations while exposing limits in China’s political influence and complicating its positioning in U.S.–China competition and Taiwan-related calculations.