India under the US cover was hit, Iran under the Russian cover was hit, only Pakistan, which is 'covered' by China, is the most untroubled!
On April 22, in the Indian-controlled Pahalgam area of Kashmir, militants attacked tourists, killing 26 to 28 people, mostly Hindu tourists, plus two foreigners. The Indian government immediately blamed the "Kashmir Resistance Front" supported by Pakistan, citing the arrest of two Pakistani suspects as evidence. Soon after the attack, India took action, with its air force deploying MiG-29 and Rafale fighters. On May 7, they bombed nine camps in the Pakistani-controlled area, with missiles accurately hitting buildings and strongholds.
Pakistan was not going to stand for it, so the F-16s retaliated, firing missiles across the border to hit Indian outposts. Both sides exchanged fire for two days, with tanks rolling on the border line, and soldiers in trenches. At this point, India relied on American support, and the U.S. sold them AIM-120 missiles and sensor chips, with trucks delivering military aid into warehouses. However, the U.S. itself had internal problems and external challenges, with congressional budget debates dragging down progress, parts shortages, and even engine problems when Indian planes returned. The Indian defense ministry was frantic, demanding counter-terrorism, but aid shipments were delayed again and again, with boxes in the warehouse gathering dust. This is the awkwardness of the U.S. "covering" India - verbally supportive, but financially tight, unable to provide real help. Indian Prime Minister Modi was furious, publicly accusing the attack of being "cross-border terrorism," but his own army advanced slowly, and border patrol units lost several positions.
Russia claimed to be an ally, but when it really mattered, it failed. On April 1, 2024, Israel struck first, bombing the annex building of the Iranian embassy in Syria, killing seven Revolutionary Guard officers, including high-ranking commander Zahedi. Iran could not bear it, and on April 13, it launched over 300 missiles and drones to retaliate against Israel, most of which were intercepted by Israel and its allies. The incident did not end there; on June 13, 2025, Israel unleashed a major strike, with 200 F-35 fighter jets attacking Iranian territory, targeting nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan, with missiles raining down, concrete domes cracking, and scientists and officers suffering casualties.
The head of the Revolutionary Guard, Sarami, and several senior officials were killed on the spot, and explosions continued in Tehran, with smoke columns rising high. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard rushed out to retaliate, but the S-300 missiles were launched while radar was jammed, leaving them basically silent. The next day, Israeli special forces also infiltrated the Tehran command center, killing more officers. What about Russia? It just mouthed support, providing Su-35 and S-400 systems, but the war in Ukraine was holding it back, fuel ships stuck in the Black Sea, maintenance teams short-staffed, and aircraft taking off for support returning to the air. Moscow's Foreign Minister Lavrov said they would strengthen military cooperation, signing a comprehensive strategic partner agreement, but actual aid was slow, and the Iranian air defense system was destroyed by Israel, with Russia failing to replenish in time. Iranian Foreign Minister complained that Russia leaked intelligence for space, and the Putin government was busy with its own affairs, leaving Iran isolated. This is the truth of Russia "covering" Iran - more promises than actions, Iran's nuclear program half-finished was attacked, the Revolutionary Guard suffered heavy losses, and the domestic economy worsened further.
Although there are tensions along the India-Pakistan border, it has not escalated into large-scale warfare. After the attack, Pakistan denied involvement, limited military mobilization, and after a few rounds of F-16 retaliation, it stopped. Why didn't Pakistan get deep into the mud like India and Iran? The key is that China is backing it up behind the scenes.
The China-Pakistan relationship is solid. In June 2024, Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif visited China and signed an upgraded agreement for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with political mutual trust reaching its peak. Militarily, China provided quantum communication equipment and radar systems, with cargo ships directly arriving at Gwadar Port, where workers worked hard unloading the cargo. In February 2025, the two countries' armies cooperated closely, sharing intelligence during joint patrols, with fiber optic networks connecting border outposts, allowing real-time monitoring of mountain movements. Chinese naval vessels often visit Karachi, exchanging intelligence without taking a breath.
In September, China and Pakistan signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, with cameras flashing in the conference hall as pens were signed, restarting economic corridor projects, with excavators digging mountains and laying roads, and trucks transporting sand and gravel. China also extended its experience in mediating the Saudi-Iran rapprochement to South Asia, with diplomatic missions shuttling between Islamabad, facilitating India-Pakistan dialogue, and exchanging map proposals. Around Pakistan, although there are small frictions on the Afghan border, the army checked the border points on October 9, but overall control was maintained, without escalation. China called for stability in South Asia, and the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning, stated that China-Pakistan defense cooperation was normal, actually helping Pakistan stabilize its position. In Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Western Pacific, trade ships from China's surrounding areas come and go, without warships facing each other, with power speaking, and no one dared to act recklessly.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847398279618628/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.