Part 8/11:
The Usual Suspects: Russia and China’s Transient Alliances
Interestingly, the speaker notes that China and Russia are notably absent from Iran’s current crisis. These countries have ambivalent, transactional relationships with Iran—they are not genuine allies but rather opportunistic players seeking to maximize their gains.
China, heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil, is watching closely but remains non-committal. Russia, embroiled in its war in Ukraine, is also cautious. Both powers understand the risks of fully backing Iran openly, as they seek to maintain their own strategic interests.