In 1984, Jesse Jackson made some blatant anti-Semitic remarks in conversation with a journalist, who then published them. Jackson, faced with criticism, first denied the remarks and then claimed that the Jews were out to get him. But later on he had numerous conversations with the then-head of the Antidefamation League Abe Foxman, and eventually made a public apology—steeped in religious language. Ever since he has enjoyed good relations with the Jewish community.

Last month, the Chinese minister of defense, together with senior military figures, paid a visit to Tehran, where they met with their Iranian counterparts, as well as with the Iranian president. Tuvia Gering and Jason M. Brodsky doubt the talks will result in a grand Sino-Iranian alliance, but they nonetheless expect increased collaboration between the two countries. For many years, they note, Beijing has evaded or violated embargoes to sell arms to the Islamic Republic, and there’s reason to expect more of the same: