Why Donald Trump’s war could play into China’s hands

There are many plausible rationales for the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Some proponents have even suggested that one goal is to deal a blow against China.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo argues: “If this regime falls and gives way to a government that actually represents the will of the Iranian people, Beijing can say goodbye to the cheap shipments of crude oil that have helped power its economy.”

Pompeo added: “But more than that, it will lose a critical foothold from which to project power in the region and undermine U.S. interests.”

This is almost certainly untrue. Pompeo and those who agree with him fail to understand China-Iran relations and how Beijing might actually benefit from the current war.