The Iran War Looks Very Different From China

The United States and Israel have launched strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and triggering a full-scale war in the Middle East. As the region descends into conflict, a fascinating debate has emerged about what this means for China: from the surge in Chinese defense stocks and weapons export opportunities, to the collapse of Beijing's landmark Saudi-Iran diplomatic agreement. Is this a strategic disaster for China, or does the chaos actually create unexpected openings? Andrea Ghiselli, research director at The ChinaMed Project and a lecturer in international politics at the University of Exeter, joins Eric to discuss the stark differences in how this conflict is discussed in China and in the Global West. 📌 Topics Covered in this Episode: • The US-Israel strikes on Iran and the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei • Why Chinese defense stocks surged to a 10-year high on the Shanghai Stock Exchange • The "ally" myth: why China was never going to militarily defend Iran • The collapse of China's landmark Saudi-Iran diplomatic détente • Asymmetric warfare — why Iran's cheap drones may outlast America's expensive missiles • China's energy security: oil stockpiling strategy and Strait of Hormuz exposure • US munitions depletion and what it means for a potential Taiwan scenario • What to watch in Chinese discourse if the Islamic Republic faces collapse Show Notes: The ChinaMed Project: • How Chinese Experts are Reacting to the American-Israeli Strikes on Iran by Andrea Ghiselli: https://tinyurl.com/mr439hdp • The China-Global South Project • : "Win or Lose, America Loses": Chinese Analyst Says Trump's Iran Gamble Will Hand Beijing a Strategic Victory by Han Zhen: https://tinyurl.com/484p6bbn • The China-Global South Project: • Chinese Nationalist Voices Dismissed Online After Iran Strike Defies Predictions by Han Zhen: https://tinyurl.com/bdenrfyd • People to Follow Reference in this Episode: @GeringTuvia • , analyst at Planet Nine, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub @EvanFeigenbaum, • vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Join the Discussion: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: • French: www.projetafriquechine.com • | @AfrikChine • Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com • | @ChinaAmericas Join us on Patreon! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth