Special Issue: Dragon Unbound? Regional Influences on China's Policies in the Middle East

China aspires to create an interdependent global network that integrates its commercial, strategic, political, and cultural connections across the world. Eurasia, and the Middle East and North Africa within it, have become a core part of China's global design. This special issue aims to explain the process of Chinese expansion in the region from an ‘inside-out’ perspective. It includes a series of country-specific case studies that evaluate how local actors and their agencies have shaped China's role.

Special Issue Articles

Dragon unbound? Regional influences on China's policies in the Middle East—Introduction - Enrico Fardella and Brandon Friedman

The Dynamics of Sino-Iranian Relations: Strategic Veneer, Intrinsic Tensions and Third-party Leverage - Ali Parchami

Exploiting China's Rise: Syria's Strategic Narrative and China's Participation in Middle Eastern Politics - Andrea Ghiselli and Mohammed Alsudairi

Iran, China and the Persian Gulf: An unfolding engagement - Mohsen Shariatinia and Hamed A. Kermani

Sino–American relations and the ‘new cold war’: A useful analogy for the Middle East? - Brandon Friedman and Ori Sela

Algeria and China: Shifts in political and military relations - Yahia H. Zoubir