The Iran War Was Supposed to Cripple China. It Backfired Spectacularly. | Silk and Steel

The Iran War Was Supposed to Cripple China. It Backfired Spectacularly. | Silk and Steel

Author: Alternate Current Radio May 5, 2026 Duration: 56:47
In this episode of Silk and Steel, Ahmad sits down with Carl Zha (geopolitical analyst and host of the Silk and Steel Podcast) to dissect the Iran war, US strategy to choke off China's energy, and why the empire looks increasingly like a paper tiger.
The big picture:
• The US has had a 30-year plan to control global oil flows and corner China (going back to the 2003 Iraq war)
• But having a plan and executing it competently are two very different things
• China has 1.4 billion barrels in strategic oil reserves – larger than the US, Europe, and Japan combined
• While the US Navy struggles to feed its sailors, China is lifting export bans on gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel
We break down:
• The "Clean Break" plan (1997) – the Israeli blueprint to remake the Middle East for the "Greater Israel" project
• Why seven US presidents resisted war with Iran – and why Trump didn't
• The Epstein files theory – why Israel may have compromising material on Trump
• How China prepared for this crisis while the US drained its strategic reserves
• The difference between heavy crude (Venezuela) and light sweet crude (Persian Gulf) – and why it matters
• Why the US Navy's food crisis is a symptom of a much larger logistics breakdown
• The fertilizer crisis – 20% of world's natural gas offline, planting season is NOW
Plus: The Top Gun: Persian Edition (Iranian pilots flying 60-year-old F-5 jets over US bases), why the "pivot to Asia" became a pivot to West Asia, and why China's energy independence is accelerating.

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Hosted by Mike Robinson and Brian Gerrish, UK Column Radio offers a distinct perspective on global events, anchored from Britain. This daily podcast, produced by Alternate Current Radio, moves beyond the standard news cycle to examine the underlying political, economic, and social forces shaping international headlines. Each episode features in-depth analysis and discussion, focusing on how decisions made in corridors of power translate into real-world consequences for citizens. The conversations are detailed and evidence-driven, appealing to listeners who prefer a more forensic approach to current affairs. You'll hear a consistent focus on themes of governance, media narrative, and national sovereignty, all framed within a context that challenges mainstream reporting. The tone is serious and engaged, built on the premise that a deeper understanding of news requires connecting disparate events into a coherent picture. For those seeking an alternative to conventional news commentary, this podcast provides a platform for sustained, critical dialogue. It’s a program dedicated to asking the questions often left unasked by other outlets, making it a regular listen for an audience that values thorough investigation over soundbite summaries.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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