I think you are too sanguine about apparent competition between the Russian and Chinese states in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Let us grant that the conventional view – the view provided by the media – with respect to Iranian, Russian, and Chinese independence is accurate. Let us grant arguendo the proposition that cooperation and competition among these states is driven primarily by simple geography and economy. These are, after all, dispositive facts concerning any state.
And yet – clearly China has not been unaware that its sponsorship of Iran, through energy deals in excess of $100 billion over a decade and more, enables Iran to proceed on its apparently independent course. Moreover, perhaps it really is the case that China and Russia compete for Iranian influence: why would China stake a substantial chunk of its energy policy on a state of 70 million people governed by a tiny radical Islamic junta whose behavior brings it into near-crisis with the West, on whom China is utterly dependent for export markets? This is just for example.
And what are we to make of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which is holding its third joint military manuevors in northeast China in April?
Just for example. I think there is a persuasive argument to be made that these countries are not as distinct as some of their behavior and most or all of their official pronouncements would suggest.
