Can China be behind this? Goading Russia into a war with NATO so they can invade Taiwan. Is Putin really trying to start a war?
That is a big possibility. There has been a lot of coordination with China and Russia on the Ukraine front (that is why N Korean soldiers are dying on the front) as well as support of Iran. Both the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) or as I call it NATO for Nasties, AND the BRICS include the Ezek 38 trio of
Russia, China and Iran.
They have increased their efforts to evade US sanctions by creating an alternate economy in the BRICS (Brazil,
Russia, India,
China and South Africa were the original members but that expanded to include
Iran and now includes 10 countries).
The SCO includes
China, Iran, Russia, and several "independant" but Russian tied countries of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan are full members as well. It is attempting to have both military and industrial/economic partnerships.
You will notice that these are also countries that give Trump a headache on a regular basis.
And if you look at the expanded list of SCO members that have observer status, or dialogue partner status,
that includes QATAR!! (puppet of Iran- provides funding for Hamas in Gaza! gave Trump a jet, and some lucrative hotel deals) But it also includes
Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE and Bahrain along with several others.
I point out Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE and Bahrain as particularly interesting. These are often seen as partners of the US, or in the case of Turkey, a member of NATO. Qatar is a KNOWN ally and puppet of Iran, Turkey is a problem for Israel and NATO both, and the Arab states are not really friendly to the US unless its' to their benefit. They fund terror! Still!
The western media rarely pays attention to the SCO, they are a bit better on reporting the BRICS but BOTH these groups SHOULD BE CONSIDERED as enemies to the USA either for funding terrorism, support for the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas etc or their funding of anti American campus groups.
Russia is no stranger to that type of activity as is Iran, and same with China.
Brazil and Argentina have completely REPLACED the USA in Soybean sales to China, something that doesn't seem to get near enough coverage in the press- especially considering the $20 BILLION Argentine bailout proposed by Trump. Brazil is on the outs with the USA, so that is understandable. BUT ARGENTINA is a "friend". China is actively courting many countries to create an alternate economy apart from US Tariffs.
THESE ARE NOT AMERICA'S FRIENDS. They are NOT EUROPE's friends. They are NOT NATO friends.
What I see when I look at the SCO and BRICS is a confederation of countries who have zero love for the States. When I track the activities of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain, they are NOT YOUR FRIENDS. Some may love Iran, some are terrified of Iran, but this is not a good group to be part of.
And if it comes to war, they WILL stab you in the back.