China-US Competition in the Middle Eastern Political Chessboard: An Analysis

Abstract

This article aims to highlight the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran in the Gulf region with a focus on changing strategic and diplomatic relations between them as a result of Chinese growing influence in the region. The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran was affected by different stimuli i.e., geopolitics and energy needs. US and Iran has been strained after 1979 due to different factors like nuclear issue and sanctions were imposed by the various US administrations on Iran. The tumultuous relations between Saudi Arabia and the US due to 9/11 incident and Arab Spring are giving space for the other powers i.e., China to influence in Middle East. This is a qualitative study by using descriptive and analytical methods and explains the contemporary scenario for US and Chinese competition in Middle East. The Chinese influence has considerable increased due to successfully mediating efforts between Iran and Saudi Arabia.