Part 5/13:
This double standard has not gone unnoticed in Moscow. Russian officials have criticized the U.S. for what they perceive as hypocrisy and have exploited the Middle East tensions to bolster their position. They argue that the United States can no longer reliably serve as a stabilizing force in the region, especially after recent developments like China's brokered peace between Iran and Saudi Arabia—a historic reconciliation that ended decades of hostility. This move signaled a significant shift, reducing U.S. influence and opening space for China and Russia to expand their roles.