New World Order, Same Old Problems

How Iran War Exposed Limits of Chinese Influence in Region

The world had a moment of clarity during the Israel–Iran conflict. For years, analysts have noted that China is closing in on the United States as a peer competitor, whether in terms of high-tech industries, naval fleets, or the size of its diplomatic corps. That power shift seemed to have also played out in the Middle East, a region where the United States has traditionally held significant influence. Two years ago, Beijing brokered the normali…

New world order, same old problems

Analysis: Iran today stands out as one of the few remaining Cold War antagonists of the United States. The recent conflict between Israel and Iran, and America’s strikes on nuclear facilities, demonstrate the long shadow of the Cold War in the Middle East. In the late 20th century, as the Cold War came to a close, politicians started to postulate what a post-Cold War world looked like. Perhaps the strongest perspective came from US President Geo…

Stephen Olson quoted by Time: “What the Israel-Iran War and Ceasefire Mean for China’s Relations With the U.S. and World”

This article was published on 27 June 2025. Stephen Olson is Visiting Senior Fellow with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. To read the article, visit The post Stephen Olson quoted by Time: “What the Israel-Iran War and Ceasefire Mean for China’s Relations With the U.S. and World” appeared first on ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.