The public record on China’s response to the Iran war is clear and unremarkable. Since US and Israeli forces launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28, Beijing has condemned the strikes as violations of international law, called for an immediate ceasefire, and dispatched Special Envoy Zhai Jun to the region. It has evacuated over 3,000 Chinese citizens from Iran. Foreign Minister Wang Yi has made calls to counterparts in Russia, Iran, Oman, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Tag: Military
NATO’s Most Dangerous Member Just Got More Dangerous
When the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, every NATO member was forced to decide where it stood. Most followed Washington’s lead quietly, if not enthusiastically. Spain refused use of its bases and triggered a furious response from the White House. France and Germany called for restraint. Turkey reacted in a way that was more complex than the other countries. It condemned the strikes as a violation of international law and blocked coalition forces from using its airspace and bases. When Iran’s Supreme Leader was assassinated, Turkey publicly mourned the loss
After Khamenei: Iran’s Uncertain Path to a New Supreme Leader
The death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would represent one of the most consequential political turning points in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, Khamenei has served as the central authority within Iran’s political system. The Supreme Leader holds ultimate control over the military, the judiciary, intelligence services, and nuclear policy, making the position the most powerful office in the country. With Khamenei gone, Iran would face an uncertain leadership transition that could reshape both its domestic political order and its regional strategy
Escalation in West Asia: U.S.-Israel Joint Offensive and Iran’s Retaliation
On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel initiated coordinated large-scale strikes against targets in Iran, marking a significant escalation in the longstanding tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, ballistic missile capabilities, and regional influence. The operation, designated “Operation Epic Fury” by the United States and “Operation Roaring Lion” by Israel, commenced in the early hours local time with explosions reported across multiple Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran
Evolving Dimensions of India’s Internal Security
The Indian military is recognised as the fourth most potent armed force globally and the recent success of Chandrayaan 3 has cemented India’s status as the fifth great space power. Whereas on the diplomatic front, India’s vaccine diplomacy during the covid-19 pandemic and the role of net security provider in the Indo-Pacific coupled with its leadership of the Global South has affirmed India’s position as a Vishwaguru (teacher to the world) within the international community. According to Morgan Stanley, India stands at the cusp of a transformational decade poised to become the third-largest economy by overtaking Germany by 2028.
The Draft Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026
The Draft Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026 (DAP 2026) is the latest proposed revision of India’s defence procurement architecture. Unveiled by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 10 February 2026, the draft aims to fundamentally transform how the Indian armed forces acquire critical systems, weapon platforms and defence technologies under the capital budget. Its objective is to replace the existing DAP 2020 with a more streamlined, self-reliant and strategically responsive acquisition framework that aligns procurement with India’s evolving security imperatives and domestic industrial growth.
Strategic Arctic Competition: When National Security Trumps Sovereignty
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, high-level talks between the Trump administration and Danish-Greenlandic officials ended precisely where they began: in deadlock. Following a White House meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen emerged to confirm a “fundamental disagreement” remained over Greenland, despite establishing a working group to explore compromise. Hours earlier, President Trump had doubled down from the Oval Office, declaring “we need Greenland for national security” while questioning whether “Denmark can do about it if Russia or China wants to occupy Greenland.”
Sudan and South Sudan: Two Civil Wars, Two Failures of the State
Sudan and South Sudan are close to a dangerous regional crisis. However, their conflicts are not combining into one big regional civil war because their internal issues are very different and do not easily connect. Sudan’s war, which has lasted over 1,000 days since April 2023, involves the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, fighting against the Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). This is a harsh battle for control of the country, driven by personal goals, money from gold mines in Darfur, and support from other countries.
The Caracas Raid, State Criminalisation, and America’s Domestic Calculus
In the early hours of January 3, 2026, U.S. Special Forces carried out a daring raid in Caracas, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. This significant military operation involved over 150 aircraft neutralising Venezuelan air defences to extract the couple. It marked a major shift in U.S. foreign policy. The raid was not spontaneous; it was the result of a long-term effort by the U.S. to oust Maduro, an authoritarian leader accused of serious corruption and drug-related crimes. President Donald Trump defended the action by labelling Maduro a criminal instead of a statesman, stating that the U.S. would manage Venezuela to help with a government transition.
Economic Collapse and Political Revolt: Iran on the Edge
Since the last week of December 2025, Iran has seen its largest uprising in years. The immediate cause was the collapse of the national currency, the rial. Shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar shut their stores in protest, sparking a nationwide demand for political change. What started as an economic complaint quickly escalated into a direct challenge to the theocracy. The unrest spread to at least 78 cities and over 200 locations by early January 2026. This movement, met with harsh repression, has tested the regime’s stability.