Commentary Last year, in an attempt to strengthen economic, political, and military ties, Beijing and Tehran launched a 25-year cooperation deal. The two countries, both “victims” of U.S. sanctions, have become incredibly close. On a recent trip to Beijing, Tehran’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, announced that the implementation of the highly ambitious agreement had officially begun. As the world becomes increasingly atomized and chaotic, with authoritarianism on the rise, and major global powers invading sovereign nations, this strategic alliance should concern all readers, especially those of whom reside in the United States. In November 2018, under then-President Donald Trump, the United States officially reinstated all sanctions against Iran. Six months later, the Trump administration threatened to sanction any country found to be purchasing oil from Tehran. Most countries listened. One country, however, chose not to, and still chooses not to. That country is China. According to a recent Reuters report, Beijing’s “purchases of Iranian oil have …