中国 – 中东 / الصين – الشرق الأوسط / סין – מזרח תיכון
At a time when China’s global footprint is getting deeper and deeper, it has never been more important to understand its foreign policy. The Middle East is one of the world’s most consequential regions: home to major religions, diverse cultural and social heritage, central to global energy markets, and of course, geopolitics, linking people and markets in Asia, Africa and Europe. The podcast will feature conversations with academics, government leaders, and the policy community to provide insights into how China’s evolving role in the Middle East affects intra-regional development, trade, security, and diplomacy.
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Season 1
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Episode 1: Sino-Iranian relations


Professor Anoushrivan Ehteshami joins us to discuss China and Iran relations and the state of the bilateral relationship, including the comprehensive strategic partnership the two countries finalized last spring, the possibility of Iranian membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and China’s role in the JCPOA. Listen here!
Episode 2: Chinese community building in the Middle East: Chinese in Dubai
Episode 3: Chinese Soft Power Projection in MENA
Episode 4: Chinese Multilateralism in MENA
Episode 5: Chinese Tech in North Africa
Episode 6: China-GCC Relations
Episode 7: Managing US-China Competition – The View from Singapore
Episode 8: China in MENA – An EU Perspective
Episode 9: Arab Barometer and Perceptions of China in MENA
Episode 10: China-Israel Relations
Episode 11: China-Global South Relations
Episode 12: China’s Vision for a New World Order
Episode 13: The Middle East in the US-India-China Strategic Triangle
Special episode: US Perceptions of China’s Middle East Presence
Season 2
Subscribe to China-MENA Podcast on your favorite podcast platform to stay up-to-date with upcoming episodes, and do not forget to rate us and leave us a review.
Episode 1: Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative – China’s Blueprint for the New World Order
In this episode, we are joined by Tuvia Gering, Nonresident Fellow, Global China Hub, Atlantic Council and a researcher at the Diane & Guilford Glazer Foundation Israel-China Policy Center at the Institute for National Security Studies; and by Michael Schuman, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Global China Hub, Atlantic Council, to explore China’s flagship initiatives, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Northern Initiative, as we attempt to uncover the country’s true intentions in funding and supporting genuine global development projects.
Our esteemed guests shed light on the Chinese Communist Party’s approach and its practical implementation tactics of these global initiatives. They also examine Beijing’s progress support, capacity building, and knowledge-sharing efforts—including global development centers and vocational training programs.
Tune in to gain a better understanding of China’s aspirations in shaping global governance. Addressing challenges and skepticism, this episode offers valuable insights for those intrigued by China’s international outreach strategies and its global development initiatives.
Join us to understand China’s aspirations in shaping global governance. Addressing challenges and skepticism, this episode offers valuable insights for those intrigued by international relations and global development. Listen here!
Episode 2: China’s Role in Conflict Mediation in the Middle East
In this episode, we embark on a thought-provoking journey into China’s involvement in conflict resolution within the region. Your host, Jonathan Fulton, is joined by the insightful voices of Helena Legarda and Dr. Sanam Vakil. Together, they dissect China’s strategic approach to mediating conflicts and its consequential impact on the Middle East.
Amidst a landscape seeking fresh perspectives in conflict resolution, a pertinent question emerges: Can China wield transformative influence? As we navigate the intricate terrain, we invite you to delve into the nuances, obstacles, and potential avenues presented by China’s mediation role in this dynamic region.
Brace yourselves for an enlightening discourse that promises to reshape your vantage point on global politics. Listen here!
Episode 3: The Gulf’s New De-Escalation Foreign Policy Among World Powers
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From the focus on developmental issues and sustainable economies to the changing perspectives on security and power, our experts explore the implications and potential solutions to foster stability in the region, including China’s support for GCC-Iran normalization, Turkey’s improving relations with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and the Abraham Accords.
Join us as we tackle crucial topics such as the impact of China’s presence in Africa, the concept of de-escalation as a security strategy, and the evolving landscape of geopolitics in the region and the new Gulf of de-escalation. Listen here!
Episode 4: 10 Years On: China’s Belt & Road Initiative and its Future in the Middle East
The episode analyzes the recently held Belt and Road Forum, the involvement of various MENA countries in the initiative, and the challenges and opportunities it presents. Get ready to explore the complexities of China’s global infrastructure plan and its impact on the Middle East, as we discuss the geopolitical dynamics, competing interests, and potential alternatives to the BRI. Listen here!
Episode 5: China and the Israel-Hamas War: A View from Tel Aviv
Join us as we unravel the complexities of this relationship and analyze its impact on regional dynamics. Listen here!
Managed by
A Scowcroft Middle East Security Endeavor


Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative
The Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative (SMESI) provides policymakers fresh insights into core US national security interests by leveraging its expertise, networks, and on-the-ground programs to develop unique and holistic assessments on the future of the most pressing strategic, political, and security challenges and opportunities in the Middle East.