Dr. Warwick Powell | China Is Winning the Energy War Without Firing a Shot | Sept. 9, 2026

Source: Carl Zha youtube



Description:
The world is entering a period of extraordinary geopolitical and economic upheaval.

In this episode of the Silk and Steel Podcast, Carl Zha speaks with Australian geopolitical and China expert Dr. Warwick Powell about the escalating conflict around the Strait of Hormuz, soaring energy prices, Iran's emerging regional strategy, the Ukraine war, China's economic resilience, and the growing crisis inside the Western geopolitical system.

The discussion goes far beyond the immediate Iran conflict. Powell argues that the real story is the emergence of a new regional and global security architecture—one increasingly shaped by Iran, China, Russia and other countries outside the traditional Western-led system.

Topics discussed:

00:00 — The Hormuz Crisis Escalates
The Strait of Hormuz, Iranian retaliation and the growing threat to global energy markets.

04:00 — Who Really Controls the Strait of Hormuz?
Why oil flows and shipping movements may tell a very different story from official Western narratives.

05:00 — Iran’s Bigger Objective: A New Regional Security Architecture
Iran's vision for a regional security system created and managed by the countries of the region rather than dominated by Washington.

08:00 — Oil Prices Begin to Expose Reality
Why rising crude and diesel prices could eventually overwhelm attempts to manage market expectations through political messaging.

10:00 — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Growing Importance
China, Russia, Iran, India, Pakistan and other countries are expanding cooperation across security, energy, transportation, finance and technology.

15:00 — Iran, China & Russia: A New Economic and Security Network?
How cooperation within the SCO could help Iran withstand American sanctions and develop alternative financial and infrastructure systems.

18:00 — Why the Ukraine War Is Reaching a Critical Stage
Powell examines Russia's strategy of attrition, Ukraine's declining military capacity and the pressure building on NATO.

23:00 — Washington’s Ukraine Problem
Why American attempts to negotiate an end to the conflict may not succeed if Russia believes its fundamental security objectives remain unmet.

27:00 — The Coming Economic Shock
How the Iran conflict, energy prices and the Ukraine war could converge into a major pressure point for the transatlantic economy.

30:00 — Why China Is Surprisingly Well Prepared
China's investments in electrification, renewable energy, batteries, EVs and alternative energy systems are becoming increasingly important as global energy security deteriorates.

34:00 — China’s Global South Strategy
Chinese exports of EVs, solar panels, batteries, machinery, semiconductors and other technologies are helping countries in the Global South accelerate industrial development.

38:00 — China Is Becoming the Swing Player in Global Oil Markets
Why Chinese refineries can increasingly influence the direction of global crude prices.

41:00 — Why Has Trump Doubled Down on China?
If tariffs and economic pressure aren't achieving their stated goals, why does Washington continue pursuing the same strategy?

44:00 — The Washington “Double Down” Mentality
Powell explains the political and institutional interests that make changing America's China policy extremely difficult.

48:00 — America’s Displacement Anxiety
Why Washington's growing fear of China's rise could produce increasingly dangerous policies.

51:00 — Could the U.S. Target China’s Technology Infrastructure?
The discussion turns to CIA operations, information warfare, sabotage and the increasingly dangerous possibilities of gray-zone conflict.

55:00 — The SCO and the Rise of Multipolarity
Why more countries may look toward organizations such as the SCO as they become concerned about sanctions and unilateral American power.

58:00 — The Unraveling of the Old World Order
Powell argues that the world may be witnessing the breakdown of a 70–80 year economic and military architecture.