President Bush's nonsensical policy on Iran is pushing Iran into the arms of Russia and China, moving it from the "axis of evil" to what Flynt Leverett calls the "axis of oil." The Russians and Chinese are suitably cautious, though. Here's an item from the Washington Times:

Seeking to break out of its diplomatic isolation, Iran has applied for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, an alliance dominated by China and Russia and seen as challenging U.S. security interests in Central Asia. ... Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki revealed on a visit to Tajikistan late last month that Tehran had applied for full membership in the six-nation SCO, which last expanded when Uzbekistan was invited to join in 2001. ...

Pushed strongly by Moscow and Beijing, the growing alliance has unnerved U.S. officials, who fear it could be used to blunt American influence in the region. ...

China and Russia have been noncommittal on the Iranian offer, and both capitals are believed to be reluctant to bring in Iran when its relations with the United States are so hostile. Moscow has sided with the Bush administration in pressuring Iran to renounce any plans for nuclear weapons. ... Beijing stopped well short of an endorsement when noting the Iranian SCO membership request.