Biden White House Drove Saudis into China’s Arms

The announcement late last week that China had brokered a diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and Saudi Arabia is alarming but unsurprising.

The deal between these two longtime antagonists could culminate in the restoration of bilateral diplomatic relations after years of tensions and even periodic hostilities. U.S.-based foreign-policy analysts are duly concerned by this setback to America’s strategic efforts to foster the development of an anti-Iranian bloc of nations in the Middle East, to say nothing of the way America was sidelined.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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The announcement late last week that China had brokered a diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and Saudi Arabia is alarming but unsurprising.

The deal between these two longtime antagonists could culminate in the restoration of bilateral diplomatic relations after years of tensions and even periodic hostilities. U.S.-based foreign-policy analysts are duly concerned by this setback to America’s strategic efforts to foster the development of an anti-Iranian bloc of nations in the Middle East, to say nothing of the way America was sidelined.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.