[mrsmith]

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.

[mrsmith]

Or a grand hand in “The Great Game” LOL!

[STARLIT]

Yes, and remember the night of the bombing Russia was alerted and was no where to be seen. This was commented by the angry Syrians. Where were their Friends and supplier of military equipment? The Tiger Forces were cussing up a storm! And as Rusty and I thought...no way was Russia going to make a mistake by any pilot and mistakenly engage...so they totally went OUT OF THE AREA! The next day Russia made an announcement that the military equipment they had promised suddenly has been cancelled. And on top of that.....Not sure of it was Putin himself..but they were in Israel visiting. As Israel planes went to the bombing areas very early in the morning and bombed some areas more. The Forces cussed and said only Israel think they can do anything right. But had said the US was on target the night before.