Understanding “Peace Through Strength” in Modern Geopolitics

Traditionally, the idea of “peace through strength” revolved around military might—essentially suggesting that a strong military presence would deter adversaries.

However, Operation Epic Fury challenges that notion.

We’ve witnessed in Iran that a blend of military strength, economic sanctions, and robust alliances can significantly enhance deterrence.

The U.S. response to China’s growing influence has been rather limited, treating competition with China as a collection of isolated issues—like the Indo-Pacific region, advancements in artificial intelligence, and trade imbalances—as if China was only engaging in select areas.

In reality, China is competing across all fronts and regions, forging energy dependencies and financial ties while securing port access from the Atlantic to the South China Sea.

The Middle East has always been a significant battleground in this ongoing competition, with Iran being a pivotal asset for the Chinese Communist Party.

Chinese investments in Iran extend beyond just oil.

They have provided Iran with dual-use technologies and supported its weapons development despite international pressure.

For instance, in 2021, Beijing allowed Iran access to its BeiDou global navigation satellite system, which has improved Iran’s military targeting abilities.

In July 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assured Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of China’s commitment to assist Iran in “defending national sovereignty and dignity,” emphasizing a stance against hegemonic practices.

China has backed Iran on multiple levels—financially, technically, and diplomatically—thereby normalizing its position internationally.

Operation Epic Fury directly disrupted this dynamic.

The defining strategy involves a coordinated application of military and economic tactics, leaving little room for adjustment.

The U.S. has effectively diminished Iran’s military capabilities while simultaneously undermining its financial systems.

This operation revealed fundamental truths that the Chinese government is now forced to contend with. The U.S. maintains strong alliances in the Middle East, whereas China’s ties are relatively weak.

It also brought to light China’s susceptibility, relying heavily on resources beyond its control.

In the Persian Gulf, the Chinese government aimed to establish itself as a key diplomatic player, positioning itself as a critical external influence by facilitating the 2023 Iran-Saudi normalization deal and the Hamas-Fattah settlement.

Meanwhile, Gulf nations saw the U.S. conducting military operations against its Chinese partners, with reports indicating that at least one—United Arab Emirates—participated in military action against Iran.

This campaign dismantles the myth that the Middle East is inherently hostile to the U.S., instead legitimizing all governments involved in the Abraham Accords that view Iran as a significant threat.

The effort to tighten Tehran’s grip in the Strait of Hormuz was meant to sway President Trump’s decisions and incite Gulf nations against Washington, but it ended up illustrating precisely why Iran should not have nuclear capabilities.

Gulf states also observed China enduring economic losses without effective means to counteract them.

Japan, for example, noted operational outcomes from U.S. measures and invested over $6 billion into the U.S. liquefied natural gas sector.

However, it’s primarily China’s economy that has taken the hardest hit.

The U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on companies like Hengli Petrochemical and various shadow fleet operators.

Moreover, the State Department identified multiple Chinese organizations aiding Iran with satellite intelligence on U.S. military maneuvers, putting Beijing’s complicity in the spotlight.

In response, Xi Jinping invoked an anti-extraterritorial law and urged Chinese companies to defy U.S. sanctions. Yet, the reality is that China holds limited sway over businesses that rely heavily on accessing the dollar system.

Israel has played a pivotal role in this situation. The precise targeting and sustained operational capabilities necessary to weaken Iran’s military require partnerships that China simply does not have in the region.

As the military efforts progressed, the U.S. made strides to curb China’s influence across the globe.

The Pentagon has forged a substantial defense partnership with Indonesia that covers key straits through which a large portion of China’s energy imports passes.

In the Philippines, a new economic security zone has established a U.S. presence at a crucial entry point to the South China Sea.

Additionally, in the Western Balkans, the U.S. has signed significant agreements, such as a $1.5 billion gas interconnection between Croatia and Bosnia, along with a $58 billion AI data center investment, effectively blocking Chinese investment in the Adriatic shoreline.

This week, President Trump heads to Beijing, arguably with a significant influence over China.

To secure sanctions relief for affected Chinese firms, it seems that Xi may need to dismantle the military procurement network in Iran that Beijing has developed over the past decade.

This summit could serve as a pivotal test for maintaining the accomplishments of the administration thus far.