Some U.S. officials have long theorized about the formation of an "axis" of authoritarian nations, namely China, Russia, and Iran. This idea posited that these governments constituted a unified front, fundamentally challenging Western democracies.
However, this perception of a monolithic alliance has been severely tested by recent events. The American and Israeli war with Iran has put this supposed partnership under intense scrutiny, exposing its inherent weaknesses.
The conflict has starkly revealed the limits of their cooperation. Contrary to expectations of a unified response, both Beijing and Moscow have consciously kept their distance from Tehran's struggle, a move that speaks volumes about their strategic priorities.
This calculated detachment suggests their relationship is more of an alliance of convenience, primarily driven by a shared opposition to U.S. global influence rather than a binding mutual-defense pact.
Ultimately, the crisis has exposed that for China and Russia, pragmatic national and economic interests outweigh ideological solidarity with Iran. This fractures the narrative of an inseparable triumvirate and reveals a more complex and fragmented geopolitical reality.