Is Beijing about to join Tehran in arming Russia? Is it already doing so? Washington appears to be undecided about the scope of military aid coming from Communist China, as well as the timing of its delivery, and that bodes ill for America’s attempt at deterring China from joining the Ukraine war in earnest. 

Secretary Blinken said last week that Beijing is planning to send arms to Russia, and is already giving it dual-use material that can be used in battle. Then, President Biden contradicted him, telling ABC News on Friday, “I don’t anticipate a major initiative on the part of China providing weaponry to Russia.” If that changes, Mr. Biden added, “we would respond.”