CHINA AND THE MIDDLE EAST from Silk Road to Arab Spring

China and the Middle East uniquely explores China?s growing presence in the Middle East, and both the benefits and anxiety that this presence has caused in the region, as well as in the West. There are currently very few sources of reference from a Middle Eastern standpoint on the role that the China is currently playing out in the Middle East. Muhamad Olimat addresses this gap in the literature, presenting an in-depth analysis of Chinese-Middle Eastern relations, highlighting some of the most important events that characterize the ties between China and the Middle East, and examining their relationship in key areas such as energy, trade, arms sales, culture and politics.

The title consists of 8 chapters, focusing on the following topics:

• An Overview of Sino-Middle Eastern Relations
• A Theoretical Perspective
• A Tridimensional Approach to Sino-Middle Eastern Relations
• Energy Security and the Growing Demand for Oil in China
• Cultural Exchange: the Growing Stature of China in the Middle East
• Great Power Rivalry in the Middle East
• Challenges to Sino-Middle Eastern Relations
• Future Trends

This title assists the understanding of the uniqueness of the Chinese model of engagement in the Middle East and develops a theoretical framework to understand, analyse and predict future trends in Chinese-Middle Eastern relations. It is therefore of major interest and use to scholars, post graduates and final year undergraduates of Middle East Politics, Chinese Foreign Policy, Sino-Middle Eastern relations, China?s international relations, international relations of the Middle East, Middle East political economy, Saudi Studies, Iranian Studies, American-Chinese relations and Great Powers policies toward the Middle East.

Chapter 1 - Introduction: An Overview of Sino-Middle Eastern Relations

Chapter 2 - A Theoretical Perspective

Chapter 3 - A Tridimensional Approach to Sino-Middle Eastern Relations

Chapter 4 - Energy Security and the Growing Demand for Oil in China

Chapter 5 - Cultural Exchange: the Growing Stature of China in the Middle East

Chapter 6 - Great Power Rivalry in the Middle East

Chapter 7 - Challenges to Sino-Middle Eastern Relations

Chapter 8 - Conclusion: Future Trends

Dr Muhamad S. Olimat is an Assistant Professor of international relations at Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Prior to joining KUSTAR, Dr Olimat taught and conducted research at the University of South Florida in St Petersburg, Missouri State University and several other US higher educational institutions. His area of expertise is Middle East politics, and his research concentration focuses on China and the Middle East, socio-political and economic development in the Middle East, and US foreign policy towards the region. He has published several articles and book chapters on China and the Middle East, the Arab Spring, transition to democracy, women and politics in the Middle East, and the role of Islam in the politics of the Middle East.