Israel-US Relations

Why bombs don’t break Iran

The domestic issues and fragile regime in Iran would have led one to believe that an attack by the US would result in a quick defeat. Commentator Tao Ray offers a perspective on why Iran remains resilient: not because of its military strength or strategy, but the strong sense of “us versus them”.

Tao Ray

A watershed in Hormuz: Can US hegemony hold?

The Strait of Hormuz crisis is testing US hegemony as Iran pressures energy flows and Gulf states hedge their bets. Amid rising tensions, China is reassessing its maritime role, weighing security exposure against new strategic and economic opportunities. Lianhe Zaobao’s China news editor Yang Danxu analyses the situation.

Yang Danxu

How civilisational politics fuels today’s wars

Academic Ma Haiyun traces the history of civilisational conflict narratives in Western strategic thinking, built on Jewish intellectual foundations, long before the rise of Samuel P. Huntington’s The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order. Such approaches have had a profound effect on influencing the US’s behaviour in the Middle East and spillover effects in the region.

Ma Haiyun

China’s quiet brokerage: Can Beijing make the US-Iran truce stick?

After the two-week ceasefire in the Iran war ends, even if there is a negotiated agreement, the war may not be be over. Lasting peace in the region would mean stabilising Israel-Iran relations and letting countries like China play a bigger role. Chinese academic Fan Hongda shares his assessment.

Fan Hongda

Who decides when the Iran war ends?

In the Iran war, the US, China and Russia each pursue their own objectives, while Iran and Israel follow separate agendas, creating a complex web of interests. No clear path to a ceasefire has emerged, and the conflict’s endgame remains uncertain. Academic Hao Nan examines the possible scenarios.

Hao Nan

The illusion of decapitation: Why killing Iran’s leaders strengthens the regime

Attempts to target Iran’s leadership have backfired. Tehran has hardened, while Russia and China are gaining influence. The US and Gulf Cooperation Council states face strategic setbacks, as regional instability persists. Chinese academic Fan Hongda shares his views.

Fan Hongda

Why America fights alongside Israel as China holds back in Iran

Israel has catalysed a US-led campaign against Iran, aiming to reshape regional power, while China stays defensive. Can Beijing maintain its equidistant stance, protect energy and supply chains, and avoid being drawn into the conflict? Middle East Institute-NUS fellow Jing Lin analyses the situation.

Jing Lin

Why China stays measured on US-Israel strikes against Iran

The US and Israel have launched a military strike on Iran that has killed its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, to mixed reactions globally. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan looks at the effects of the offensive, not least on China.

Yu Zeyuan

Israel’s great power playbook is tempting Taiwan’s leaders

Israel has long turned great power rivalry into strategic leverage. Taiwan’s leaders now appear tempted by the same logic. But applying Israel’s playbook in East Asia could distort deterrence — and make Taipei the testing ground for escalation, cautions academic Ma Haiyun.

Ma Haiyun

Israel’s ‘digital bombs’: Is everyday tech becoming a weapon of war?

Israel’s digital warfare now extends from exploding pagers to cloud servers and AI tools. As global tech giants work with Israeli intelligence, academic Ma Haiyun cautions that the lines between war and civilian life — and between devices and weapons — are vanishing.

Ma Haiyun

The price of alliance: Is US foreign policy still American?

While the global south states consolidate autonomy, the US finds its own sovereignty and independence compromised — not by external conquest, but by internal capture, says academic Ma Haiyun.

Ma Haiyun

How the Iran-Israel conflict is rewriting China’s global playbook

The Iran-Israel conflict and subsequent US intervention have compelled China to rethink its geopolitical approach in the Middle East. But such a recalibration will be difficult, says commentator Imran Khalid, as Beijing must be able to balance its energy demands and economic ambition with security interests.

Imran Khalid