An analysis of how escalating purges within the CCP’s military wing could reveal vulnerabilities for U.S. foreign policy and deterrence.
Browsing: China
Russia uses gold and Chinese networks to bypass Western sanctions and sustain its war economy.
Iraq’s nuclear deals with Russia and China, led by a militia-linked minister, raise proliferation risks and threaten U.S. relations.
Kazakhstan joins the Abraham Accords to build new critical mineral supply chains with US partners, reducing reliance on China.
China used economic ties and support for Iran to exploit post-Arab Spring instability, turning the region into a key front in US‑China competition.
A competitor seeks to outperform you; an adversary seeks to destroy you. This is a contest over whether free societies remain free.
China values Iran for oil and anti‑U.S. alignment but offers no security guarantees, prioritizing its own stability above Tehran’s regime.
Chinese firms dominate Iraq’s upstream sector by accepting low-profit terms, while state-backed financing secures critical infrastructure deals. Baghdad also seeks Western investment for technical expertise and to mitigate U.S. sanctions risk, maintaining a dual-track strategy to balance energy partners.
Iran relies on oil sales to China for nearly 90% of its export revenue, funding its nuclear and missile programs. The U.S. must crack down on the “Axis of Evasion,” using secondary sanctions and diplomatic pressure to cut off this financial lifeline.
Adversaries have learned they can fracture Western alliances and control strategic chokepoints by staying below retaliation thresholds. This convergence allows China to secure shipping lanes, Russia to gain naval bases, and Iran to project power through proxies like the Houthis.