Can Iran fiasco help China edge out US in key arena of Southeast Asia?

OpinionCan Iran fiasco help China edge out US in key arena of Southeast Asia?3-MIN READ3-MIN0ListenPublished: 8:30pm, 19 Apr 2026Updated: 9:46pm, 19 Apr 2026Since America launched its “major combat operation” against Iran, several NATO allies have distanced themselves from Washington. Now America also risks losing ground in strategically important Southeast Asia to China. Could it face an erosion of influence similar to that suffered by Russia in Central Asia as a result of its “special military operation” in Ukraine?Soon after US President Donald Trump launched massive air and missile strikes on Iran on February 28, it became clear Washington could not count on the support of its Western partners. One by one, European countries refused to participate in his Iran adventure, including military operations in the Strait of Hormuz. US allies in the Middle East have also learned that Henry Kissinger’s observation that “it may be dangerous to be America’s enemy, but to be America’s friend is fatal” still carries significant weight.But ASEAN seems to have been aware of this from the start.Select VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x