by Hammad Madni 16 August 2023
A brilliant move by a Chinese knight astonished the entire world during their chess match with the US in the Middle East. The international politics arena is a set of different chess games different countries play. Likely the other chess games played by other countries similar chess game is in action between China and US, and their chest set is located in the Middle East region. By brokering a recent agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, China played the role of a knight, the piece chess player, who usually forms a fork by attacking two pieces at one time by putting the King on the check and also attacking other parts, such as the queen and bishop. China’s knight in international politics put the US, THE global hegemon, in review, and on the other side, it captured the attention of Saudi Arabia, which once was US ALLY. It is the rule of chess. The player must move the King away from that square when it is in check. Similarly, reviewing the US by China Knight made US influence fly from the Middle East region, and China gained a diplomatic win over its rival.
China is a significant global power in economics and politics and has greater influence over matters of international politics. It plays an essential role in world politics and influences events in other regions of the world. They believe that to advance, cooperation must exist between countries. In 2013, the Chinese president launched an initiative of one belt, one Road, a significant development and investment project in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. To accomplish its One Belt, One Road aims, the Chinese in the Middle East have made many investments in different counties, particularly Saudi Arabia and Iran. To make sure their development and investment flourished in the region. China brokered an agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which have been adversaries of each other for an extended period. On 10th March 2023, after a visit from Beijing, the representatives of Riyadh and Tehran announced that they would normalize the relations. This agreement will bring stability to the region as both rival states begin to cooperate. This agreement will replace the Saudi-Iran divide into a complex web of relationships and weave part into China’s global ambition. According to this, Iran will stop providing armaments to Houthi Rebel Groups in Yemen, and Saudi Arabia will cease funding Iran’s international channel; Iran accuses it of fomenting domestic dissent.
This Chinese-led agreement will benefit Iran as it will come out of the isolation in which it has lived for years due to US sanctions. Further, it will improve its relationship with neighboring countries and regional powers. In 2015, Iran prioritized strengthening its ties with the US and Europe. In this regard, it entered into a nuclear deal called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the US and permanent members of the Security Council along with Germany; it will curtail its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. In 2018 US President Donald Trump withdrew its support from the JCPOA during his tenure, which forced Iran to search for other alternatives for its survival.
Moreover, the US-backed Arab-Israel alliance known as Abraham Accord was one more thing that Iran could not tolerate because it was threatening to them after domestic instability and failed nuclear talks with the Biden administration. This agreement and improved ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council will lessen the threat posed by the Abraham Accord; Iran, therefore, welcomed this agreement as it would diminish the US influence in the region and undermine the US-led sanctions regime, which has weakened Iran’s economy.
This agreement is considered a brave strategic shift for Saudi Arabia. They, lacking the capacity of the advanced military that their aggressive neighbors have, are always concerned about their defense. This agreement will reduce tension with Tehran, giving Riyadh enough time to diversify its strategic options. The desire for security, which motivated them to develop ties with Israel years before, has inspired them to create a relationship with China again. Moreover, they wanted to build and diversify their economy by transforming their industrial sector under Vision 2030, for which they need US military support, Israeli technical and intelligence assistance, and trade with Europe and China. They were also not satisfied with the US policies of the region and believe that the US has changed its focus from the area and is now investing in other parts, so they do not need to remain in alliance with the US.
China, through the concept of Common Destiny envisioned by President Xi Jinping, says
“To build a community of common destiny, we must ensure that all countries respect and treat each other as equals. Countries may differ in size, strength, or level of development, but they are all equal members of the international community with equal rights to participate in regional and international affairs. Being a big country means shouldering greater regional and world peace and development responsibilities instead of seeking a monopoly over regional and world affairs.”
Establishing the concept and meeting increasing economic interest has motivated China to show involvement in the region and play a diplomatic role. The area is vital to China’s Belt and Road initiative. For this reason, China’s government wanted to ensure that Houthi missiles did not threaten its investment in the Saudi energy sector. Moreover, China is also expanding its economic footprints in Iran as they are interested in supporting Moscow’s plan to develop the transit corridor through Iran that will allow Russian trade to reach global markets without using Suez Canal. This agreement would also allow China to avoid the Strait of Malacca, where the US and its allies are building a formidable armada. This agreement will serve as a new Geopolitical reality in the Middle East.
Thus, this agreement is considered a diplomatic win of China over its rival US. It is a matter of global prestige for China. This agreement will enhance China’s influence in the region where once the US was dominating, so the policymakers of the US must formulate such a policy with which they can gain their lost influence in the area. Overall this agreement will benefit all countries participating in it as it will improve their economy and help them achieve their objectives. China Knight’s move is remarkable and impressive.