March 17, 2026 | The Washington Post
Prolonging the war with Iran could strengthen China’s hand
But a short, decisive campaign could cause Beijing to think twice about taking Taiwan.
March 17, 2026 | The Washington Post
Prolonging the war with Iran could strengthen China’s hand
But a short, decisive campaign could cause Beijing to think twice about taking Taiwan.
Excerpt
For the second time in as many months, Beijing has found itself relegated to the superpower sidelines as Washington pummels one of its principal diplomatic partners. Iran now offers a broader lesson for Beijing: American hard power can upend decades of soft-power investment overnight. But if the war turns into an exhausting quagmire, China could gain the upper hand over the United States in the long term.
China’s response to the widening Middle East conflict follows a predictable playbook: condemn Washington, rhetorically champion sovereignty and stability and call for a return to diplomacy. Beyond public posturing, however, China has offered Iran no meaningful support — militarily, economically or diplomatically.
Craig Singleton, a former U.S. diplomat, is a senior fellow and senior director of the China Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.