cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/10762694
Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific targets could be next.
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China’s reported sale of shoulder-launched missile systems to Iran should be concerning not just to the United States but also to Australia and other major powers in the Indo-Pacific. It demonstrates a deeper strategic partnership between Beijing and Tehran – one with destabilizing consequences for the Middle East – and shows a certain recklessness in Chinese behavior.
But China is not alone in this endeavor. Russia is an active party aiding Iran in a variety of ways, even though it has its hands full with its ill-advised invasion of Ukraine. Sino-Russian assistance to Iran degrades the international security situation in the Middle East and worsens the Strait of Hormuz crisis. And North Korea is involved too, completing the authoritarian axis.
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To hide its role, China reportedly had a Hong Kong-based company, Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, act as a middle agent facilitating the deal with Iran.
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There are also indications that the newer Russian drones come with Chinese radio modems, cameras … In addition, and drawing from its own drone warfare experience in Ukraine, Russia was also reportedly providing Iran with ‘tactical guidance on how many drones should be used in operations and what altitudes they should strike from.’
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North Korea is reportedly gearing up to send around 30,000 troops to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on July 30 that Russia’s Voronezh region was getting ready to receive the North Korean troops. He added that North Korea was also likely sending “additional missile launchers” to further Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
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[Russia, China, North Korea] are already working together in Ukraine. Now they are in Iran, again trying to undermine the US and its partners. Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific targets could be next.
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Authoritarian? Trump is talking about making the Strait of Hormuz US territory and annexing Greenland. Europe, Russia, and China should get together and negotiate a peace deal with Iran. Iran trusts Russia and China. Europe would represent Western interests.
How exactly is Russia, China or Europe going to negotiate a peace deal with Iran when none of those are at war with Iran? And what incentive does Russia have for peace in Iran when the fuel crisis has been the best thing to happen to their economy in ages? Matter of fact, why would Russia and Europe EVER work together on something given that Russia has made it clear they seek lebensraum in Europe?
Europe and China would benefit from peace in Iran but neither holds control over Trump.
It’s not necessary to be in a war to negotiate an end to it. Actually, China and Russia are involved since they supply weapons to Iran. Russia’s incentive would be peace near their border. Suppose the Iranian regime collapses and one friendly to the West replaces it. Europe will work with Russia if it brings peace.
If Europe, Russia, and China reach a deal with Iran, Trump would be pressured to agree especially if countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and India like the deal. If Trump rejects the deal, Europe, Russia, and China would go it alone. This would mean protecting Iran from attacks.