The China-Russia partnership is a highly consequential geopolitical alignment driven by a shared goal of countering U.S. hegemony and reshaping the international order into a multipolar system. While not a formal alliance, this relationship is strengthened by Russia's increasing economic reliance on China following Western sanctions, which allows Beijing to leverage its influence. Policymakers should note that while the partnership projects deep solidarity (as seen in high-level summits), it remains complex and limited by mutual mistrust and competing strategic interests. This enduring alignment poses a significant challenge to U.S. interests and requires continued diplomatic vigilance.
Trump’s Least Bad Option in Iran
English Summary
The analysis argues that the United States is in a strategic quagmire regarding Iran, as continued military strikes and maximalist demands have undermined the US's negotiating position. The current standoff is economically unsustainable, evidenced by the depletion of global oil inventories due to the closed Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, the only viable path is for the US to accept significant concessions—on both the nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz—to secure a deal and prevent global economic collapse. Failure to compromise risks escalating conflict and leaving the US worse off than before the war.
中文摘要
本分析指出，美國在伊朗問題上陷入了戰略困境，因為持續的軍事打擊和極端要求已經削弱了美國的談判地位。目前的僵局在經濟上是不可持續的，證據是由於霍爾木茲海峽關閉導致全球石油庫存耗盡。因此，唯一可行的出路是美國必須接受重大讓步——無論是在核計畫方面，還是關於霍爾木茲海峽的議題上——才能達成協議，避免全球經濟崩潰。若無法做出妥協，則有升級衝突的風險，最終將使美國比戰前更為不利。
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