During the intense Iran war, on Tuesday, Xi Jinping held a summit with leaders of Central Asian countries in Kazakhstan, but it did not yield many results. The only outcome was the signing of a so-called “Permanent Neighborly Cooperation Treaty.”
Xi Jinping did not have much money to throw around either. In 2023, he promised $26 billion to the five Central Asian countries in Xi’an, but it is likely that this promise has not been fulfilled. With Iran being heavily beaten by Israel in the war, there is a possibility of a major shift, which has put the Chinese Communist Party in crisis mode. China needs to maintain its influence over its Central Asian “little brothers” while eyeing their important resources such as oil, natural gas, rare earth minerals, and uranium.
On the other hand, Trump’s strategic moves in the Middle East have brought significant returns. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have made enormous investments in the United States, and Syria has shifted its allegiance towards America after the regime change. Currently, the United States has tacitly approved of Israel’s fierce attacks on Iran, with support coming from countries in the Middle East and Europe. Whether Iran becomes weakened or experiences a regime change leaning towards the West in the future, it will have ramifications for Russia and China, causing a crack in the axis of evil alliance.
This reshaping of geopolitical dynamics poses challenges for both Beijing and Moscow, as they seek to secure their interests in the region amid shifting alliances and power dynamics. The fallout from the Iran-Israel conflict has far-reaching implications for not just the Middle East but also for global powers vying for influence in the increasingly complex political landscape.