WASHINGTON, United States, May 5, 2026 (Al Jazeera) – China stands to benefit greatly as the US war with Iran drags on without resolution, and Beijing is focused on “playing the long game”, former CIA analyst John Nixon told Al Jazeera.

Nixon said China has learned a “great deal” about US “war-fighting capabilities” and its modern warfare strategies as a result of the Iran war.

But, most importantly, he said, China can now present itself as a more appealing ally to countries in the Middle East.

“The Gulf countries are so important to China’s future, and they come across as a very responsible power,” he said.

Nixon added that China is attractive to the region because it has no interest in bringing “war” to the Middle East, preferring instead to work cooperatively with Gulf nations.

“China is seen as being very transactional, and that’s a negative. But, over time, if the United States continues to be ham-handed in the way it deals with countries in the region, over time the Chinese message will resonate better,” he explained.

Nixon also said China is “very reliant on the energy resources” of the region, and that even as the world gradually shifts away from fossil fuels, it will remain a “big customer” of Gulf energy exporters.

“The relationship will get stronger,” he added.