Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Chas Freeman: The Emerging Iran-Russia-China Axis & Israel's Possible Demise
10 snips
Mar 14, 2026 Chas Freeman, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense and ambassador with deep Middle East and East Asia experience, reflects on the rising Iran-Russia-China alignment. He outlines regional supply disruptions, shifting Russian interests, escalation risks, and why diplomatic options may be collapsing. He also examines shifts in Iranian leadership, Israeli strategic dilemmas, and the broader erosion of international norms.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
China Sees War as Both Opportunity And Economic Shock
- China has mixed reactions to the Iran war, pleased by US military depletion but worried about disruption to trade and energy through West Asia.
- Beijing is accelerating moves off fossil fuels and pushing overland energy links to Russia to avoid maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.
Unexpected Brazil Japan Military Connections Emerging
- Freeman recounts Brazil and South Africa signing military cooperation and Japan's emerging defense exports as knock-on effects of the conflict.
- He notes Japan's industrial capacity and Brazil's markets create a likely Japan-Brazil defense partnership.
Russia Gains Strategic Windfall From Conflict
- US outreach to Russia sought help ending the Iran war while Iran demands conditions before negotiating with the US.
- Russia benefits geopolitically and economically as oil/gas prices rise and US weapons stocks are depleted for Ukraine support.