Recently read an article https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/09/24/china-great-power-unite... which presents the argument that China, a declining power that is desperate to regain economic momentum by "dominating critical technologies—such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and 5G telecommunications", and creating exclusive spheres of influence abroad, will likely start a war much like Germany in 1914 or Japan in 1941. Got me thinking that if the war was guaranteed, would it have to be in Taiwan or south east Asia islands. However, both areas are under a magnifying glass and highly contested. And sea battles do not favor China. But what if 声东击西

- Iran attacks Iraq, and China/Russia gives support? Would Nato/US still have the stomach to go back into Middle East? This would allow China to fully utilize its full ground army force and massive train network that now stretches into Central Asia and Europe. And if Iraq falls, Saudi Arabia, United emirates should fall easily, and those are oil countries that will give China massive resources and wealth. US is fairly self sufficient in terms of oil resources, but not Europe! Europe, under gas and oil resource stranglement, will acquiesce to any demands from Russia + China.

- Turkey attacks Greece on grounds of islands contestations. Again, this would allow China to fully utilize its full ground army force and massive train network that now stretches into Central Asia and Europe. After Greece, Russia can easily retake most of its former colonies, and give China a way into Central Europe.