The U.S. and its allies are extending new ties in the Middle East and the South Pacific to counter Russia, China and Iran

(Originally published June 27 in “What in the World“) Russian forces, fresh from seizing the key city of Severodonetsk from Ukrainian defenders, resumed missile attacks on Kyiv as members of the Group of Seven leading wealthiest democracies met in the Bavarian Alps to discuss intensifying sanctions against Moscow. The impact of sanctions on Russia, meanwhile, are being undercut by rising purchases of Russian oil from China and India, so the G7 plans to ban imports of Russian gold. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the summit to discuss climate change and food security, but will reportedly try to steer clear of discussions on its continued cooperation with Russia. Fat chance.

U.S. President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson are seeking to convince allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization not to give in to war fatigue in the fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin as the war boosts prices for food and oil, inflicting economic pain on Europe and erodes political support.

The shape of the new Middle East Air Alliance against Iran (and by extension China and Russia) is starting to take shape. Israel acknowledged the existence of this unprecedented Arab-Israeli cooperation last week. Now, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that high-level military officials from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia convened secretly in Egypt’s Red Sea resort Sharm El-Sheikh in March with counterparts from the United States to discuss cooperation against missile threats from Iran, which just launched a rocket into space.

The U.S. and its key allies in the Pacific—Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the U.K.—have meanwhile announced the creation of a Partners in the Blue Pacific alliance (PBP) to counter China’s growing influence in the Solomons and other Pacific islands.