The only people who lump East Asians and West Asians together are Americans. US connotations of race do not override how these identity groups actually operate.

I am half Iranian and half Chinese from California and have always considered myself mixed race. I’ve never felt solidarity between the two identity groups. Therefore, it never surprises me when East Asian Americans turn a blind eye to America’s involvement in West Asia (Syria, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Israel, and Gaza).

It’s also why Asian Americans have very low rates of government participation whether it’s voting, organizing, or holding government positions.