“There is often the tendency to imagine the United States and China involved in a strategic back-and-forth, launching new initiatives and implementing new approaches to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). However, as I argue in this article, the substance of the two countries’ behavior in the region and toward each other is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. It is probable that they will do more of what they are already doing: Washington will continue to focus on security issues and defense cooperation while Beijing will stick to its trade and investment-centered agenda.”
Andrea Ghiselli (T.wai & Fudan University) is author of the article “China and the United States in the Middle East: Policy Continuity Amid Changing Competition” published by the Middle East Institute.
