China’s Middle East policy at a crossroads 6 months into US-Israeli war on Iran
The war has forced Gulf leaders to recognize that neither the United States nor China can protect them from Iranian attacks. Iran warned that a future war with the US could spread and target regional infrastructure. Gulf states are seeking new defensive partners, with Kuwait signing a military cooperation agreement with Pakistan.
Why it matters: This reflects the shifting balance of power in the Middle East, a key theme in the briefing on geopolitical realignments.