This funny. The entire GCC has had it up to here with Iran. China openly siding with Iran? That'll "strengthen" their position with Iran and have the opposite effect with everyone else.

China's been siding with Iran for decades. Right? I thought that was a big part of your reason for thinking that this war was part of some master strategy for dealing with China, by removing a "piece" from the "board." The GCC will not be surprised that China is helping Iran, nor will they be surprised when China comes in to offer financing and support for Iran's reconstruction after the war.

And this is even funnier. Xi had this before, only completely under the radar. Now?

The Gulf states are none too happy with Iran. Think they're going to be thrilled with the people helping Iran rain missiles down on their heads?

No more than they're thrilled with the people who stirred up Iran into raining missiles down on their heads. Again, I'm sure they're none too happy with the U.S. and Israel for breaking open the hornet's nest while they were sitting under the branch.

Yes, China has always had to straddle the Sunni-Shia division that drives regional relations. That's something that China has managed, and will continue to manage, going forward. They're very good at slow, consistent, non-chaotic diplomacy. And, of course, they're the Gulf states' largest customer for oil - which is why those states have all had good relations with China even though China's also been working with Tehran.

That's why Xi cannot believe his good luck. The U.S. has created a massive opening for the type of investment and infrastructure-driven influence that China excels at. They'll be coming in and helping both the Iranians and the Gulf States - at a time when neither Russia nor the U.S. is going to be much interested in foreign ventures.