The United States and Israel's military strikes on Iran have resulted in political and diplomatic pressure on the U.S. itself, and is expected to cause more damage to it and other countries if the conflict continues, according to international media.
On Friday, The Washington Post pointed out that the backlash from the military action has begun to manifest itself in American politics and diplomacy.
In the past month, U.S. gasoline prices have risen 33 percent, or nearly one U.S. dollar per gallon, triggering concerns among Republicans about the midterm elections.
Ironically, the Trump administration launched the military operation without fully consulting its allies, and it is now pressuring them to assume greater responsibility for security in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. spearheaded the escalation of the situation, but is attempting to shift the subsequent security and spillover burdens onto its allies.
Howard W. French, a columnist at Foreign Policy, said in his article on the same day that as the conflict continues, the United States has consistently struggled to clearly define what a so-called "victory" truly means.
He pointed out that even if the United States achieves a so-called military "victory," it may not be a good outcome for Washington, Israel, or the world as a whole.
The columnist said that the problem is not merely whether the United States "can win," but rather that the current U.S. administration has failed to provide a clear and consistent definition of victory.
He argued that supporting the war implies endorsement of a blind and unthinking view of American power -- a notion that "might makes right" -- and condones Washington's actions, which are completely divorced from moral and ethical constraints.
Also on the day, Sanan Wakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, said in her article released on The Guardian that the conflict is impacting the stable environment upon which Gulf states rely for their transformation and development.
She said that the Gulf states' recent economic transformation efforts, whether it's Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" or the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s ambition to become a global aviation and logistics hub, have all been built on the premise of "stability," and the current conflict is shaking the foundation.
Wakil said that the U.S.' escalation of tensions with Iran is a choice made according to its own strategic calculations, but the consequences in terms of security, economy, and infrastructure will primarily be borne by the Gulf states.
The expert warned that the war is exposing the limitations of the Gulf states' long-term reliance on the U.S. security guarantee -- when Washington escalates the situation, the Gulf states have to face the real costs that fall on their cities, citizens, economies, and infrastructure.
US strikes on Iran draw backlash
Beijing's "rocket street" project is evolving into a national-level scientific research and production hub, helping to support China's commercial space development.
The project is located in Beijing E-Town, an economic and technological development area in the southeast of the capital city, with a total floor space of 140,000 square meters, roughly the size of 20 football fields. The complex features a common technological platform, a high-end manufacturing center, and an innovation research and development hub as its core facilities.
Previously, it was the more established launch sites and their surrounding "space cities" that featured streets and roads that were totally space themed -- such as Wenchang's Road of Starlight and Jiuquan's Road to Space.
Beijing's "rocket street," which is really a complex dedicated to commercial space development, was only completed earlier this year. At the "rocket street," efforts to advance reusable rocket technology -- featuring cost-effectiveness, repeatability, flexibility, and ultimately global competitiveness -- is receiving major support, and several companies have announced their plans for 2026.
LandSpace has scheduled a recovery test for its Zhuque-3 reusable rocket in the second quarter of this year.
Galactic Energy plans to launch its first reusable liquid-fueled rocket, Pallas 1, in less than three months. It also aims to launch the more powerful, reusable Pallas 2, before the end of the year.
The "Rocket Street" itself also plans to break into new stratospheres in the coming years with reusable rockets.
"We aim to rank among the best in the world. We will promote 'airline-style' launches of large reusable rockets, fully reusable rockets, and fully reusable heavy-lift rockets. We will accelerate the development and mass production of new internet satellites, plan the building of new space infrastructure, and develop full-industrial-chain capabilities to launch 1,000 satellites," said Ma Zhao, Deputy Director of Beijing E-Town's Robotics, Intelligent Manufacturing Industry Bureau.
Galactic Energy is also working on the rocket's final stage -- an on-orbit service platform designed to perform multiple tasks, including cleaning up space by extending its "hands" and removing space debris.
The company believes now is the right moment to carry out these missions, relying on its own technical capabilities and supportive policies.
"In recent years, we have deeply felt the concerted support from policy, capital, and talent. Areas such as Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area have provided targeted support for core technology breakthroughs. Patient capital at both national and local levels has accelerated its convergence," said Wu Yue, Director of Public Relations at Galactic Energy.
China has included the commercial space sector among 109 major projects in the coming years, expecting the industry to become a key driver of new quality productive forces.
"Development opportunities for the commercial space industry are unprecedented, and there is no time to waste. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Beijing E-Town will support the commercial space industry cluster with 1,000 enterprises working together, 1,000 satellites in orbit, and over 100 billion yuan in revenue," said Ma.
Opened to private investment in 2015, the sector now comprises over 600 commercial space companies, with annual financing reaching more than 18 billion yuan (about 2.62 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025.
China's 15th Five-Year Plan, which outlines national economic and social development goals for the next five years, sets a goal of building the country into a "space power" by 2030, as well as identifies the aerospace industry as "an emerging pillar." Against this backdrop, commercial space launches are taking on growing importance.
Beijing's "rocket street" project advances commercial space development
