Can Russia and China turn the Iran War into a long war Washington can’t win?

Russia and China are providing military and logistical support to Iran to sustain its conflict with the U.S. and Israel, according to reporting on the ongoing air and missile campaign. The assistance from Moscow and Beijing is intended to transform the conflict into a protracted war that stretches American resources and resolve. By extending the fighting, the two powers aim to prevent a decisive U.S.-Israeli victory and complicate Washington's ability to achieve its objectives without major escalation or resource commitment. This reflects a broader effort by Russia and China to counter American influence in the Middle East while testing U.S. staying power in yet another regional conflict. The involvement of major powers significantly raises the stakes for any negotiated settlement and increases the risk of direct confrontation between nuclear-armed states.