Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / China / China is succeeding in the Middle East because it learned from watching the U.S. fail there for 20 years
China, Grand strategy, Iran, Middle East

April 18, 2023

China is succeeding in the Middle East because it learned from watching the U.S. fail there for 20 years

By Natalie Armbruster

Last week, Saudi Arabia and Iran formally quashed a seven-year freeze in relations and the world has Beijing to thank for brokering the breakthrough. However, not everyone is so readily appreciative.

Following Chinese diplomatic advances in the Middle East, many in the West fear that growing Chinese influence in the region constitutes a threat to U.S. interests in the long-term and is a sign of American decline. However, this assumption is flawed.

China’s success is not an indication of its aspirations to unseat the United States in the region but instead a direct byproduct of observing the past 20 years of U.S. Middle East policy and correcting its approach accordingly. Thus, China’s achievement in the Middle East should not be defined by the brokering of this deal, but by its avoidance of America’s missteps over the past 30 years.

Read at Business Insider

Author

Photo of Natalie Armbruster

Natalie
Armbruster

Contributing Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Asia

In the mediaChina, Asia, Taiwan

The missiles threatening Taiwan

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

September 29, 2025

Taiwan, Air power, Asia, China, Military analysis

Russia is helping prepare China to attack Taiwan, documents suggest

By Lyle Goldstein

September 26, 2025

op-edNorth Korea, Asia, China

Trump’s opportunity to re-engage Kim Jong Un

By Lyle Goldstein

September 26, 2025

In the mediaChina, Asia

China says electromagnetic catapult launched fighters from new aircraft carrier

Featuring Lyle Goldstein

September 24, 2025

In the mediaChina, Asia, Military analysis, Naval power

China and Russia conduct joins submarine patrols—should America worry?

Featuring Lyle Goldstein

September 22, 2025

pollTaiwan, Asia, China

Expert survey: Will the U.S. defend Taiwan?

By Jennifer Kavanagh

September 15, 2025

Events on China

See All Events
virtualGreat power competition, Balance of power, China, Grand strategy, Middle East

Past Virtual Event: U.S.-China competition and the value of Middle East influence

June 10, 2025
virtualChina, Alliances, Balance of power, Diplomacy, Grand strategy, Russia

Past Virtual Event: China-Russia: Cooperation or a no-limits alliance?

April 3, 2025
virtualAsia, Basing and force posture, Burden sharing, China, Grand strategy

Past Virtual Event: Rethinking U.S. strategy in East Asia: do more bases mean more deterrence?

January 24, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved