China’s muted response over war in Iran reflects Beijing’s delicate calculus as a concerned onlooker
- Written by John Calabrese, Assistant Professor, School of Public Affairs and Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute, American University
China has perfected the role of concerned onlooker as the Middle East conflict spreads across the region.
With no direct role in the conflict and some 4,200 miles (6,800 kilometers) away from the action, Beijing has a little more breathing room to work out the calculus on how the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran affects its interests. Yet the recent...