CNA Insider – 29-11-2024
For decades, the Middle East has been a central focus of US foreign policy. But today, America is scaling down its involvement in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
Vying to fill the vacuum are China and India. Billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure projects from Asia have moved to the Middle East. Cross border investment from the region to Asia has also gained momentum. The region is counting on trade with China and India for its post-oil future. At the same time, the gulf countries are strategically important to the superpowers. For example, China and India are looking to expand military cooperation with Oman.
With the war in Gaza and the spreading Lebanon conflict, the Middle East is leaning even further away from the American pole. How will the pivot to Asia change the dynamics of the region?
00:00 Introduction
01:27 China and India’s importance to Middle East
04:43 Why US stepped back from Middle East
06:37 Have Asian countries replaced US as economic power in the region?
11:17 Oman’s overreliance on oil revenues
15:07 Oman’s efforts to diversify from oil
23:40 Why China and India need the Middle East
29:52 Will Middle East become new grounds for superpower rivalry?
32:18 Oman’s role in balancing the competing interests
34:36 Impact of Gaza conflict on the Gulf states
36:11 Is US still relevant to the Middle East?
39:58 What will happen with Trump’s 2nd term?
43:39 Does Middle East’s future lie with Asia or the West?
CVD 