... conflict escalated dramatically in early October 2023, many observers jumped to a grim conclusion that, from then onward, the Middle East was hurtling at an ever-increasing speed toward another major regional conflict. The military operation of the Israel ... ... in the run-up to the presidential election in November. Thus, Washington is focused on maintaining the regional status quo. China has even less reason to welcome such a conflict, in the first place because it would immediately drive global hydrocarbon ...
... flag was conveniently absent at the reception
. There is no mistake, Mohammed bin Salman is sending a signal to Washington that Saudi Arabia is tired of being marginalized and denied representation, as well as of American exceptionalism, a sentiment shared by other countries in the region.
“The Straw that Broke the Camel’s Back”
Yuliya Alekseeva:
China in the Mashriq: New Best Friend
While countries of the Middle East resent American betrayal, they at least understand it as realpolitik, as the U.S. prioritizing its own national interests ...
... ties with China. Although Kuwait has joined the One Belt, One Road initiative and counts on Chinese investment in the Silk City project, it is not keen on developing military cooperation with Beijing. The same is true for Bahrain.
China and U.S. in the Middle East
The rapid development of ties between China and the Gulf states is of considerable concern to the United States. Especially when it comes to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The leaders of these nations have to keep the U.S. reaction in mind every time they intend to develop joint projects with China, as was evident, for example, in the issue of the KSA’s accession to BRICS. As Chinese experts point out, countries ...
... and guarantor of the agreements reached. Obviously, the first test will be its involvement in the Saudi-Iranian de-escalation.
China’s success came against the backdrop of declining U.S. interest in the Middle East. In the eyes of regional public opinion, this casts somewhat of a shadow on the reputation of the United States as ... ... traditional guarantor of regional stability, already tarnished by its hurried withdrawal from Afghanistan and its inability to protect Saudi Arabia from Yemen’s missile strikes.
However, one should not assume that the U.S. will end up losing. The strategic alliance ...