In the Middle East, the current tensions are rooted in a tussle between Iran and America’s allies, Israel and some of the Gulf states. The effect of this pressure has been real — keeping Israel and the Gulf Arabs on guard and the region on edge. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a traditional war of aggression, using the means Russia has aplenty — traditional military power. The Economist points out that this “quartet of chaos” — China, Iran, North Korea and Russia — is actively swapping weapons, supplies and, most importantly, know-how. China’s assistance to Russia shows that Beijing is willing to unsettle the world order but not necessarily upend it.

Source: Washington Post October 11, 2024 17:17 UTC