The recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel, following a 12-day conflict involving US strikes, has challenged the notion of a rigid global power bloc akin to the Cold War era. Despite longstanding strategic ties, China and Russia maintained a cautious distance from Iran during the crisis, offering mostly diplomatic statements without military support or direct action. This stance has exposed the limitations of the perceived 'axis' of authoritarian states comprising Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, a concept previously discussed by some US and UK officials. Analysts, including Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, emphasize that these countries do not share the same institutional links or values as Western alliances, and their cooperation remains largely pragmatic rather than binding. Russia's influence in the Middle East appears to be declining, and even Iran's partners in groups like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation refrained from intervention. Additionally, Russia and Iran's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty does not include mutual security guarantees. Meanwhile, Iraq has taken a low-profile approach amid the Iran-Israel confrontation, with Iran-aligned Iraqi factions focusing on domestic political survival over ideological loyalty. The conflict and subsequent ceasefire highlight the fragility and transactional nature of relationships among these nations, undermining narratives of a cohesive anti-Western bloc.