January 16, 2026

China senses opportunity as U.S. targets Iran and Venezuela

Simon Elegant and Huiyee Chiew

“Outside a truly limited number of countries that occupy a strategic position in Chinese diplomacy, China is willing to provide economic and diplomatic support and sell weapons and train security forces,” Ghiselli stated. “Yet, when push comes to shove, Beijing will stand aside, never truly committed to the survival of any regime,” he added.

Andrea Ghiselli (Head of Research at ChinaMed; University of Exeter) and Théo Nencini (Research Fellow at ChinaMed; Sciences Po Grenoble) are quoted in an article by Simon Elegant and Huiyee Chiew for The Washington Post regarding recent political upheaval in Venezuela and Iran, which could possibily represent an opportunity for China.

Read the full article here.

With the support of

This project is realized with the support of the Unit for Analysis, Policy Planning and Historical Documentation - Directorate General for Political Affairs and International Security of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in accordance with Article 23 ‒ bis of the Decree of the President of the Italian Republic 18/1967.
The views expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views ofthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Published with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation pursuant to art. 23-bis of Presidential Decree 18/1967. The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

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