Is China Quietly Winning the Iran War?

Podcast Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast
The Iran war is spreading far beyond the Middle East. ECFR’s James Crabtree explores what that means for China, India, and the implications in the Indo-Pacific region.
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About The Episode

The war with Iran isn’t just a Middle East story anymore.  As attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt global energy markets, the economic impacts are being felt by Europe, the United States, and especially the Indo-Pacific.  Does the ongoing conflict provide a strategic opening for China? And how is India navigating this new era of complicated alliances? James Crabtree, distinguished fellow in the Asia program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, breaks it down. 

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About the Experts
James Crabtree
Distinguished Visiting Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations
James Crabtree Head Shot
James Crabtree is a distinguished visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Prior to joining ECFR, he was the Singapore-based executive director of the Institute of International Strategic Studies in Asia, where he led the organization of the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit, and an associate professor in practice at the Lee Kuan Yew School, Asia’s leading school of public policy.
James Crabtree Head Shot
Leslie Vinjamuri
President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Leslie Vinjamuri headshot
Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri joined the Council in 2025 as the president and chief executive officer, after previously serving as director of the US and the Americas program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. She is Professor of Practice in International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS University of London.
Leslie Vinjamuri headshot
Issues Defense and Security Global Politics
Regions East Asia South Asia Middle East and North Africa
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