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China's Iran Strategy: What Is at Stake?
Author(s) -
Monshipouri Mahmood,
HeiranNia Javad
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
middle east policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.177
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1475-4967
pISSN - 1061-1924
DOI - 10.1111/mepo.12533
Subject(s) - pessimism , china , beijing , independence (probability theory) , political science , government (linguistics) , politics , foreign policy , balance (ability) , skepticism , middle east , intervention (counseling) , development economics , sovereignty , economy , political economy , economics , law , medicine , philosophy , statistics , linguistics , mathematics , epistemology , psychiatry , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology
This paper seeks to unpack China's grand energy policy in the Middle East. It examines the proposed Iran‐China deal, to which China's great game in Iran presents new challenges. Beijing sees Iran as a key potential asset in Western Asia. Regional experts argue that, given Iran's extensive natural resources and human capital, as well as a relatively untapped market, the country is seen by the Chinese ruling class as a potentially valuable ally. Uncertainty, pessimism, and a deeply rooted culture of resistance against foreign influence and intervention help explain why skepticism about this deal is so pervasive in Iran. A closer look at Iran's history also illustrates that the country's interests would likely be more effectively served if it diversified its economic and political relations with both the West and the East, thus allowing the government to balance its relationship with those countries while retaining a degree of political independence.