Israel-Iran conflict: China may ‘strike us' through proxies after Iran setback, Gordon Chang warns
In the wake of Israel's sweeping military strikes on Iran, foreign policy analysts suggest that China may be the conflict's biggest geopolitical loser.
'Iran being set back on its heels by Israel means nothing is off the table for China and its military advances,' said Gordon Chang, senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, in an interview on Fox Business Network's Varney & Co on Friday.
According to Chang, Iran has long served as a vehicle for China's foreign policy goals in the Middle East. 'The Chinese… they're losing their proxy, Iran. Iran has been accomplishing China's foreign policy goals for quite some time. And China's Middle East policy is now in disarray,' he stated.
The comments came after the Israel defense forces launched Operation Rising Lion, a large-scale assault targeting Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure.
Explosions were reported in Tehran overnight Friday, as Israel responded to months of failed nuclear negotiations. A nationwide state of emergency has been declared in Israel in anticipation of Iranian retaliation.
Chang warned that China may not quietly accept the blow to its regional ambitions. 'This is a point where China is suffering a terrible loss in the Middle East,' he said. 'It is not going to take that lying down, and it's probably going to get Iran or some other party to strike us.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
China's support for Iran has been extensive, particularly through oil and weapons trade. 'China was supporting the attacks on Israel across the board with elevated commodity purchases,' Chang explained. 'Remember, China has taken more than 90% of Iran's crude oil exports, but also provided weapons support.'
He added that Chinese-made arms are widespread among Iran-backed militias. 'Hamas, Houthi militia, Hezbollah, all of them have large quantities of Chinese weapons.
Iran's weapons are made with China's computer chips,' he noted.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump weighed in on the conflict via Truth Social, warning that Israel's next round of strikes could be 'even more brutal' if Iran does not return to the negotiating table over its nuclear program. 'There has already been great death and destruction,' Trump said, 'but there is still time to make this slaughter… come to an end.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
a minute ago
- Indian Express
China-US-Pakistan: Why questions need to be asked about India's diplomacy
Decision-making in foreign policy is not an isolated act. In the economically interdependent and security-centred world, it takes domestic issues into account. Therefore, serious public debate and critical public scrutiny of foreign policy matters are essential. Unlike in an authoritarian state, a mature democracy provides sufficient space where interested individuals can critically examine an event, differently from the government of the day. Constitutional and political responsibility to create such free space lies with democratic institutions, including the media. It becomes even more important in the context of recent developments in India's foreign policy and diplomatic affairs. US President Donald Trump's imposition of exorbitant tariffs on India mainly for buying crude oil from Russia, the external affairs minister S Jaishankar's proposed visit to Moscow, possibly paving the way for Vladimir Putin's early visit to New Delhi,Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi' is visiting New Delhi and Indian PM Modi's plans to meet the Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO meetings, indicates how fast changes can happen in international affairs and bilateral ties. Further, threatening statements made by Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and his seemingly growing relations with Washington give us an increasing reason to critically assess the future of India-Pakistan ties. Post-Operation Sindoor debates largely remain one-sided. Most conclude with supporting the government's position or raising comfortable questions. The government and its supporters defend the ceasefire, while the Opposition questions it. In this political slugfest, some of the relevant questions remain untouched: How to deal with Pakistan? All previous Indian Prime Ministers have dealt with Pakistan in their own way. Soon after his election, PM Modi briefly engaged in talks with Pakistan, but they could not be taken forward, largely due to historical and structural reasons. Then, what options does India have? Are we going to fight with Pakistan for years? Should India engage in talks with Pakistan? How do continuous tensions with Pakistan impact communal ties in India? These and related questions need critical public debate. After India and the US began developing close ties in the early post-Cold War years, many Indian analysts started believing that Washington would support New Delhi in dealing with Beijing. Conversely, over the years, the US leadership has supported India's stance against China mainly to secure its interests and not those of New Delhi. The Donald Trump administration has always been seen as the friendliest American government by a big section of the Indian population, obviously, before the latest tariff war. Many Indian Americans supported Trump, and some Indians publicly celebrated Trump's last presidential win. But India failed to learn from history. Historically, the US has never been a reliable friend to many countries. The past of US-Pakistan ties is an example. Until a few weeks before, a big section of Indian media had discussed India-US ties without critically evaluating the history and politics of its foreign relations. Now, the same anchors are against the Trump administration. Even though China has remained India's important trading partner, most public debates in the country mainly consider Beijing as a 'threat' to New Delhi's security and larger strategic interests. At present, the two countries are in the process of resetting their bilateral ties, which were affected after the confrontation in Galwan Valley. However, political differences and disputes remain intact. During India-Pakistan tensions in April-May this year, several Indians accused China of backing Pakistan against India. Wang Yi's visit to New Delhi and Modi's visit to China may help the two countries to clear some of the obstacles on the road. However, as the talks will be held in the backdrop of India-US tensions over tariffs, New Delhi may not be in a strong position vis-à-vis Beijing. In such a situation, the following questions need to be critically examined: How should India deal with the US and China? Does India need friendly ties with China to deal with Trump's administration? Will a 'Dragon-Elephant Tango' benefit India and China? How can India secure its interests in Asia without the US? Modi's 151 foreign visits to 72 countries, including 10 to the US, in the last 11 years, have certainly improved bilateral ties with some of those countries. These visits have also helped in deepening India's ties with them. However, many foreign policy-related challenges remain unsettled. Foreign policy has its politics and economics affecting a big population in a country like India, and thus, critical debate is essential. In a democracy, serious debates, differences in opinion, and dissenting views on any matters, including foreign policy-related issues, should be accepted even if one strongly disagrees with the state and the elites. The writer is a fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies, NUS, Singapore
Time of India
8 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Samajwadi Party is like a frog in well': UP CM Yogi Adityanath criticizes party; says world is moving ahead but they remain confined to themselves
NEW DELHI: During a 24-hour discussion on the 'Vision Document 2047', Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday criticized the Samajwadi Party , saying the party is like a frog in a well — while the world moves ahead, they remain confined to themselves. He remarked, "Your (Samajwadi Party) family development authority is also an example of this, they only know how to remain limited to themselves. Swami Vivekananda had said about this in his stories." "The condition of Samajwadi Party is like that of a frog in a well. The world is moving ahead, but you only know how to remain confined to your families. And you want to do the same to Uttar Pradesh, " Yogi added. CM Yogi further elaborated on his observations while discussing the Vision Document: "When we were holding discussions on this Vision Document, I observed 2-3 things. Every Assembly constituency should benefit from government schemes and witness development. A developed Uttar Pradesh can realize the dream of a developed nation. I observed that some were talking less about development and more about power." The remarks underline the CM's focus on development over political interests and highlight his vision for inclusive growth across all constituencies in the state. Earlier today, Yogi Adityanath also criticized the Congress on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, calling the 1947 Partition a "dark chapter" resulting from appeasement politics that broke the unity of Sanatan Bharat and left deep scars on the nation, according to a press release. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with reviving this forgotten history by declaring the day in 2021. "Today, the entire country mourns, remembering the horrors of August 14, 1947," he said. He further accused the then Congress government of showing complete apathy towards the displaced. "No memorials were built, no museums established for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians who were forced to leave their ancestral homes. Their suffering was erased from public memory," he said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Time of India
8 minutes ago
- Time of India
Why did this PhD student from Tamil Nadu refuse to receive her degree from Governor RN Ravi at MSU convocation?
A bold act of protest at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University's 32nd convocation has become a talking point across Tamil Nadu. Jean Joseph, a PhD graduate in Human Resource Management, chose not to receive her degree from Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, challenging the long-standing tradition of students collecting degrees directly from the Governor, who is also the university's chancellor. Convocation ceremony in focus The convocation, held at V.O.C. Auditorium, conferred degrees to 37,376 students from 104 affiliated colleges and the university, spanning bachelor's, master's, MPhil, and PhD programmes. 759 graduates were present to receive their degrees in person, including 650 PhD scholars, and 109 medallists were honoured for academic excellence. The ceremony featured a convocation address by A P Dimri, Director of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Traditionally, students pose for photographs with the Governor after receiving their certificates. In a surprising move, Joseph accepted her degree from Vice-Chancellor N Chandrasekar instead, bypassing Governor Ravi entirely. A stand for choice and Tamil identity During the convocation, Joseph bypassed Governor R N Ravi and chose to receive her degree from Vice-Chancellor N Chandrasekar, breaking with the traditional practice of posing with the Governor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Most Expensive Ocean Cruise Tours & Trips Undo Explaining her decision to TNN, she said she acted 'only as a way to register protest against the governor, who has not contributed anything to the development of the state and has shown he is against the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu. ' Adding to this, she mentioned that she 'believes in the 'Dravidian' model of governance.' She added further in a statement to ANI, highlighting her perspective on student choice and respect for Tamil culture: 'I believe the Governor has done nothing for Tamil Nadu or the Tamil language. Many others, such as the Chief Minister or the Education Minister, are more qualified to present degrees. It should be the student's choice. My fellow students appreciated my decision. If it were wrong, no one would have congratulated me. I don't want to take my degree from someone who does not respect our land, language, and identity.' Joseph emphasised that her protest was political in principle, not personal, and many students reportedly supported her for taking a stand for Tamil identity, language, and governance. Academic journey Jean Joseph has an impressive academic background. She completed her at Hindu College, Nagercoil, followed by an MCA at Mepco College, Sivakasi, before earning her PhD in Human Resource Management from MSU. Her research focused on human resource strategies and organisational development, preparing her for a career in academia and organisational consulting. Reactions and wider debate The incident has sparked discussions across campuses about student autonomy, ceremonial traditions, and political expression. As reported by TNN, BJP's Tamil Nadu president, K Annamalai, criticised the move as 'unnecessary and useless drama' aimed at political gain. Joseph's husband, Rajan, serves as the district student wing secretary of the DMK, adding a political dimension to her action. Many educators and students see her decision as an example of how ceremonial traditions can intersect with political awareness and personal principles, particularly in a state like Tamil Nadu, where student activism and regional pride have long been influential. Joseph's stand has become a reference point for discussions on whether students should have the freedom to choose from whom they receive their degrees, a debate that could shape convocation practices in the years to come. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
