“Commentators have long talked about Washington’s influence as declining, especially since the Russian intervention in Syria in 2015. Now, thanks to Israel’s victory against Hezbollah and the fall of the Assad regime, this might change. If this adjustment gains traction, it might indicate an important shift in China’s Middle East equation. This adds to the fact that while China has never wanted to be drawn into Syria, the presence of the Uyghurs among the rebel forces surely dictate attention from Beijing. Policymakers in Beijing are likely waiting for the smoke to clear, and the silence of Chinese media and commentators about these issues is telling.”
Miriam Verzellino and Andrea Ghiselli (ChinaMed, T.wai) explore Chinese media’s coverage of the victory of Syrian rebel forces, for the ChinaMed Observer.
