<p>I wouldn’t call it a war or even a conflict. Maybe opposing forces? Rift? On the other hand, the Cold War wasn’t really a war so… </p>
<p>Things might step up if Lebanon-Israel heats up into a full-out war, which is likely, but I kinda doubt the strength of the Russia-Iran tie. I am interested where Saudi Arabia will end up. With its Arab neighbors or with the US? I’m inclined to say with Iran and Syria, just because of public opinion and perhaps the Ayatollah would also intervene here for religious reasons, which would further crush a USA already isolated from China. Besides, this would be by no means a loss to Saudi Arabia - China is so oil-thirsty they will more than make up for the demand hole created by cutting ties with the USA.</p>