Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
China's current diplomatic efforts in the Middle East - statistics & facts
For a long time, the internal relationships of the Middle East region seemed to be at a deadlock. Both Arab-Israeli conflicts and differences between Saudi Arabia and Iran have been perceived as seemingly unresolvable. A glimpse of hope appeared in the last few years when some Arab states began normalizing their relationships with Israel. Among those were Morocco, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, formalizing diplomatic relationships with Israel through the U.S.-sponsored Abraham Accords. At that stage, cynical observers of Middle Eastern politics quoted the long-standing political mindset of the region: “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” For example, the majority-Sunni Arab states have connected with Israel over their common opponent Iran.
In early 2023, China introduced itself as a broker in Middle Eastern politics, surprising even some of the most experienced political experts in the region.
