[DentsRun]

I think the issue is that China may be using Iraq/Iran to project power into the Middle East.

I would never claim that nothing escapes me but I never heard that before. I thought Iraq was a protégé of Russia, not China. Iran buys missle motors from North Korea. Is that the China connection you were talking about?

[ScholarWarrior]

In the absence of the Russians sending military equipment to arm Arab states in exchange for hard currency, China would seek to fill the void, operating through North Korea if required.

Iraq / Iran have a need for military and technical equipment. China has a need for hard currency. China's strategic interest is bogging down the American foreign policy and military in a conflict with Arab states to distract it from addressing a Chinese threat. That threat is their development of a nuclear offensive capability, a blue water navy, and their expansionist plans in the Spratly Islands, Taiwan, and the waters off Japan.

I can't speak to specific technology transfers, but you should not be surprised if one surfaces.