He Wenping, Senior Research Fellow, Charhar Institute and West Asia and Africa Studies Institute of the China Academy of Social Sciences
Aug 12, 2025
The stated intentions of France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia may add to Israel’s growing international isolation and could prompt a reassessment — though not a fundamental shift — in support for Israel by the United States.
Richard Weitz, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
Aug 08, 2025
China declined an opportunity to join Iran in its June 2025 confrontation with the United States and Israel. Though Beijing enjoys good relations with the Iranian regime, competing alignments and other considerations convinced PRC policymakers to adopt a low profile during the twelve-day war.
He Wenping, Senior Research Fellow, Charhar Institute and West Asia and Africa Studies Institute of the China Academy of Social Sciences
Jul 04, 2025
Was the so-called 12-day war a triple victory or a triple defeat? Will Americans tolerate a policy of “Israel first” over “America first”? The answers to these and other key questions will determine whether, and how deeply, the United States could be drawn into the fray again.
Wang Zhen, Professor and Deputy Director, Institute for International Relation Studies, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences
Jun 25, 2025
The bunker-busting strike by United States will only harden the resolve of many in Iran to push for nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, the two countries may fall into a pattern of “attack-retaliate-attack,” which could develop into one of the biggest failures in human history.
Dan Steinbock, Founder, Difference Group
Jun 19, 2025
The Israel/U.S. Iran offensive is not about nuclear weapons. It is about still another unwarranted proxy war. It aims at the restoration of pre-1979 Iran.
Zhou Yiqi, Associate Fellow, Center for West Asian & African Studies, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies
May 23, 2025
The U.S. president’s mid-may trip Middle East found a region unlike the one he tamed in his first term. His encore performance, though bold, reveals a region slipping from the grasp of his once-potent diplomatic playbook. GCC states are increasingly asserting themselves as they look for harmony.
Jin Liangxiang, Senior Research Fellow, Shanghai Institute of Int'l Studies
Mar 25, 2025
U.S. policy ultimately will be defined by Israel. With Donald Trump in the White House, the Middle East will become even more vulnerable, and the security situation may erode. Saudi Arabia may not get the security guarantees it wants from the United States, and Iran will continue to be in the picture.
Niu Xinchun, Professor, China-Arab Research Institute, Ningxia University
Feb 20, 2025
The Israelis have two primary war objectives: the complete elimination of Hamas and the rescue of all hostages. But these goals are inherently contradictory and cannot be pursued at the same time. Israel is thus faced with a difficult choice about which to prioritize.
Niu Xinchun, Professor, China-Arab Research Institute, Ningxia University
Dec 23, 2024
Middle Eastern nations are capitalizing on Donald Trump’s penchant for unprincipled, no-limits deal-making, even though he has yet to assume office. These countries are scrambling to position themselves for the high-stakes negotiations that lie ahead.
Li Zixin, Associate Researcher, China Institute of International Studies
Nov 22, 2024
Threats of violence are pushing the region to the brink. Israel said it would exact a “deadly and heavy” toll for any Iranian attack. In turn, Iran promised to “retaliate tenfold,” and its hardliners want to lift the ban on developing nuclear weapons. Lines are blurring that were once seen as inviolable.