Image: Wikimedia Commons (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by Mahmoud Hosseini)The worldwide consequences of Operation Epic Fury could reach well beyond the Middle East.Nations such as China, Russia, and North Korea have much at stake. The threat of terrorism may be influenced. Regional relationships could shift. In all these scenarios, it seems that the U.S. and Israel emerge as the winners. Time will tell.The Gateway Pundit spoke to national security expert and retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Darin Gaub. The former UH-60 Black Hawk pilot and battalion commander is a frequent guest on Fox News and has analyzed the “high risk, high reward” joint military offensive launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.“In the past 60 days, both Iran and Venezuela, the top oil suppliers to China, have been knocked out of the game,” he said, adding that the two countries are “crucial for China’s energy demands.” Could the East Asian country be forced to explore other sources?To that end, Gaub noted that the alliance between China and Russia is “relatively new,” originating after the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991.Considering this, he said, “the key issue here is whether China will pursue a trading alliance with Russia or revert to viewing Russia as an adversary,” he said. In this latter scenario, Eastern Siberia could emerge as an energy source, potentially leading to Chinese military intervention to secure it.“Regardless of whether it is intentional or unintentional,” he told The Gateway Pundit that “a divide between China and Russia could emerge or at least speed up as a result of Operation Epic Fury.”As all of this plays out, he said, Russia could also find itself looking for options in amid their four-year war against Ukraine. “Iran has been instrumental for Russia, supplying cheap, expendable drones and other weaponry.” In his opinion, “this is crucial for maintaining operations in Ukraine.”In the Middle East, the Saudis and Iranians have had a contentious relationship for over four decades. This rivalry is rooted not only in geopolitical issues but also in religious differences, as Saudi Arabia is predominantly Sunni Muslim while Iran is primarily Shia.According to Gaub, “Saudi Arabia is certainly pleased with the actions taken by the United States in Iran, seeing the collapse of the regime as an opportunity to enhance its influence and assert its dominance in the Middle East and Central Asia.”The potential effects of Operation Epic Fury on terrorism must also be taken into account, Gaub contended. “Without Iranian backing,” he said, “Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis could become largely ineffective.”The consequences of the operation could also reach tyrannical regimes around the world, particularly that of North Korea. “Without China, North Korea flounders,” he pointed out.“If China’s struggling economy faces severe repercussions, North Korea may become increasingly militaristic in an attempt to gain favor from countries globally, or it might implode from its own internal pressures.”“These potential circumstances only scratch the surface. The possibilities are endless,” Gaub concluded.The post What if Iran’s Repressive Islamic Theocratic Government Never Rears Its Ugly Head Again? appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.