US War on Iran Challenges China and 'Axis of Chaos' Partners
A U.S. Sailor signals the launch of a Sea Hawk helicopter, on the flight deck of USS Gerald R. Ford, while supporting Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 2.
Source: U.S. Navy
Washington’s one-two punch capturing Venezuela’s leader and then killing Iran’s in coordination with Israel has put Beijing on the back foot, according to former US officials who have helped craft China policy.
Matt Pottinger, who served in President Donald Trump’s first administration as deputy national security advisor, sees the Iran war as challenging what he calls a broader China strategy to use an “Axis of Chaos” to weaken America. That theory — popularized by Pottinger — places China at the center of a deepening partnership with countries such as Russia, Iran and North Korea.