IntelBrief: China Uses Middle East Crisis to Raise Its Global Profile

Bottom Line Up Front

• China has used the Middle East crisis to assert its growing influence in global affairs, including in the key conflict-ridden region far from East Asia.
• Beijing sees the crisis as an opportunity to advance its efforts to undermine U.S. and European dominance of the global order.
• The statements and diplomatic initiatives by China have not altered the policies of any key actors in the crisis, and Beijing has been unwilling or unable to rein in Iran’s attempts to expand the conflict.
• China is reluctant to become militarily involved in stabilizing the region despite its dependence on the region’s energy resources.