China and the Middle East

For some time now, strategies for dealing with China have been under discussion in Germany and Europe; "de-risking," "de-coupling," and market access restrictions are frequently cited keywords in this context. The situation in the Middle East and neighboring states, however, presents a starkly different picture. There, Beijing is rapidly expanding its economic and political footprint, increasingly displacing Western industrialized nations as a supplier of high-tech solutions. Strategic planning, a willingness to take risks, and the ability to push through major projects are among the contributing factors. Developments in the Middle East demonstrate that any discussion regarding how to deal with China must necessarily take regions outside Europe into account—if only because this highlights the complexity of the situation, which defies simple solutions.