As an unprecedented Israeli attack on Iran last week sparks a spiraling conflict between the two enemy states, China has seen an opportunity to cast itself as potential peace broker – and an alternative voice to the United States.

China warned the Iran-Israel conflict may spread wider instability in the Middle East, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaching out to both countries as their days-old conflict shows no end in sight.

As Iran stands battered, and likely stands on the verge of defeat, in the war with Israel, Russia and China are anxiously watching the collapse of their principal ally in West Asia. Even if Iran survives,