China’s restrained silence on the Middle East conflict is tipping the scales of regional influence back in the U.S.’ favor, according to one analyst.
“[Beijing’s] role has been less pronounced than many expected, and actually I think it’s undermined the sense of growing Chinese influence and confidence in the region,” Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of the Middle East & North Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said on CNBC’s “Street Signs” Tuesday.
“Really, what we’ve seen is the dominant positions of the U.S. and the Iranians in trying to shape dynamics and shifting the security environment in a way that does affect those economic and energy markets.”
Last week, world leaders entreated China to use its considerable influence as a key trade partner to sway Tehran away from a direct attack against Israel, after an Israeli strike killed several top Iranian commanders in Damascus.
On Saturday, Iran first seized a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming a connection with Israel — then launched over 300 drones and missiles at the Jewish state’s territory. Roughly 99% of these projectiles were eliminated by Israel, with help from the U.S., the U.K., France and Jordan.
Since then, the specter of Israeli retaliation and a broader conflict in the Middle East has loomed large, with Washington stressing its commitment to Israeli defense and world leaders urging calm.
