Now Live: The China in MENA Project
Why It Matters Now
China’s expanding footprint across the Middle East and North Africa is quietly—but decisively—reshaping the region’s strategic landscape.
From energy and infrastructure to diplomacy and defense, Beijing is becoming an increasingly influential player in a part of the world long dominated by Western powers. For U.S. policymakers, businesses, and analysts, grasping the nature and implications of this shift is not optional—it’s essential.
The region is emerging as a key arena in the broader U.S.-China rivalry. Through investments in ports, arms sales, and political engagement, China is steadily challenging longstanding U.S. partnerships and institutions in a region vital to global trade routes, energy flows, and security frameworks.
At the same time, Beijing’s economic strategy is altering the commercial and security calculus. Its growing role in digital infrastructure, logistics, and critical minerals introduces new market dynamics and potential vulnerabilities. These developments directly affect U.S. business competitiveness and strategic planning.
Just as importantly, countries across the Middle East and North Africa are not merely reacting—they are recalibrating. Regional powers are actively engaging with China to diversify their alliances and reduce reliance on the West. Understanding this realignment is key to preserving U.S. relevance and shaping a forward-looking approach to diplomacy and defense.
To meet this moment, I’m relaunching the China in the Middle East and North Africa Project—an initiative originally founded in May 2020 to deliver clear and timely insight into China’s growing role in one of the world’s most strategically significant regions.
At the heart of the project is a twice-weekly newsletter (every Monday and Friday) that distills the noise into sharp, essential updates. It offers curated reporting, original analysis, and expert commentary on the developments that matter most—from infrastructure and technology deals to diplomatic moves and regional reactions.
The goal is simple: to equip readers with the insight they need to track China’s evolving strategy and understand its implications for U.S. policy, business, and global influence.
Thank you in advance for your interest and engagement!
— Founder, Zineb Riboua ( X: @zriboua)