The Crossword Centre Clue-Writing Competition

CCCWC January competition voters’ comments
 
Clue no. 3: America blocked for Middle East where the chips are down (8)

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A clue to CASHMERE.
3 comments refer to this clue (from 3 competitors, 0 others)

Here is the text

Comments on the clue
1.I can't work out the wordplay – 'where' is redundant I think
2.A nice piece of construction for a topical clue.
3.Either 'where' should be 'in', or else 'are' is doing double duty.