West Stays Away as China Hosts Military Parade With Iran, Russia, and North Korea

Aug-28-2025

Leaders from Russia, Iran, and North Korea are set to gather in Beijing next week as guests of the military parade in Tiananmen Square. China’s economy is under strain, with reports that even government workers are going unpaid.
Yet Beijing is pouring massive sums into military drills. What message is China sending—and who is i…