If Russia and China were to provide Iran with military, intelligence and technological support, along with the necessary military equipment, particularly in the fields of air defense, aviation, electronics and drones ... then Iran would undoubtedly turn into a dangerous trap for the U.S.
Beijing wants to avoid being drawn into a confrontation with Washington while still demonstrating that it has an independent voice on major international crises.
[T]he crisis of soft power risks accelerating the decline of [U.S.] power in the world, activating and speeding up centrifugal dynamics that might otherwise have taken years to fully manifest.
When political legitimacy becomes contingent on recognition by a superpower, populations lose their right to self-determination and democracy becomes a selective tool.