Iran's Chinese Shield

Iran’s threat to "punch" the West will exacerbate the worries of many people who follow events in the Middle East and who are increasingly worried that the world is sleepwalking toward a new regional war that might become global. The causes are, first, Iran’s determination to build nuclear weapons capable of being used against Israel, and second, the world’s apparent inability to stop it.

If there is a war, a large part of the responsibility will rest with China.

This may seem an odd statement. How can China be responsible for a war far from its borders, in an area where it has no direct involvement?

The answer is that China has the status of a great power, including a veto in the UN Security Council, but instead of becoming a responsible member of the world community, acting jointly with other powers to avert the prospect of war,China is using its new power in ways that make war more likely.