Chris, Melanie and Zach discuss the nature and scope of China’s involvement in the Middle East. Should the US be concerned about China’s growing involvement in Middle East affairs? If so, what can and should it do about it? Perhaps just as importantly, what shouldn’t it do? Grievances against the author of the Gaza dock disaster, Senator Roger Wicker, who has supposedly been “generationally” committed to boosting the Pentagon budget, and a Canadian MP who is a little too close to malign foreign actors (a “semi-conscious” accomplice?). Hats off to President Bongbong Marcos of the Philippines and the 12 jurors in Manhattan.
Read the episode
- John B. Alterman, “The ‘China Model’ in the Middle East” SurvivalVol. 66 No. 2, April-May 2024, pp. 75-98.
- Dale Alf, “China’s influence in the Middle East and its limits“, DiplomatFebruary 26, 2024.
- Jane Edwards, “Senator Roger Wicker Calls for Generational Investment in U.S. Military in New Report“, Executive GovernmentMay 30, 2024.
- William Hartung, “Wicker’s Defense Department spending plan reinforces failed strategy“, ForbesMay 30, 2024.
- Ellen Laipson and Doug Ollivant, “A Delicate Balance: Iraq’s Security Culture Between Iran and the United States” SurvivalVol. 66 No. 2, April-May 2024, pp. 99-114.
- Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Keynote SpeechShangri-La Dialogue, May 31, 2024.
- Laurence Norman, “Biden administration pressures allies to avoid nuclear confrontation with Iran“, The Wall Street JournalMay 27, 2024.
- press releaseAmerican Enterprise Institute, May 14, 2024.
- Special Report on Foreign Interference in Canada’s Democratic Processes and InstitutionsParliamentary National Security and Intelligence Committee, June 3, 2024.
Image: Chinese Premier Xi Jinping meets with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Beijing on May 31, 2024. Image provided by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
