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Tehran is forming a “land bridge” that connects Iran through Iraq to Syria, Lebanon, to the Israeli border at Golan. This is what’s called the Shia Crescent. Shia comprise just 10 percent of the world’s Muslim population, yet they hold a massive majority in Iran. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranian officials have sought to provide leadership for the global Shia community. After the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iran sought to establish strong presence in Iraq by fostering ties with both the Shia-led Iraqi government and the Iraqi Shia militia groups on the ground. Since 2014, Iran-backed Shia groups have played a significant role in the fight against ISIS. Iran also seeks to cultivate its economic, cultural, and religious influence in Iraq.

THANKS Rod..and LG.......its the LAND BRIDGE I couldn't think of ...its the reason why Israel needs keep open these countries.

Rusty and I have discussed this when we were searching why Israel was involved in the fighting over in Syria.

RE:LAND BRIDGE...

Isaiah 19 – God’s Middle East Peace Plan

“In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.” (Isaiah 19:23-24)

A road through the Shia Crescent to the Mdfiterranea Sea would be of great value to China.
And, I believe, is why China has supported Iran in Syria.
But Iran has not delivered.
Iran’s antipathy to Israel prevents them.
US/Israel won’t let it happen. And it’s easy and cheap to prevent.

So China won’t keep that support for Iran. Iraq may be a much surer producer of that road to the Med. Recently China met with Iraq PM. Maybe about something else, maybe about being China’s handmaid in the ME.

Seems to me the US and China have several common interests in the ME.
None of them include Iran.
Same re Russia.
Russia has no more need of Iran support in Syria. Iran is now just a competitor to them for the goodies.

Trump is playing a great hand in “The Grand Game” IMO.