
Seminar by Prof. Dr. Gouda Abdel Khaleq Titled “A View of the Economic Situation in Egypt”
February 23, 2023
Commenting on the 2021 Country Reports on Terrorism issued by the U.S. State Department.
March 2, 2023On March 1, 2023, ECFA held a joint workshop with the Future Center for Advanced Research and Studies on “Strategic Transformations in Asia and their Impact on the Arabian Gulf Region,” in which representatives of both institutions participated. In this regard, Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad, ECFA Director, indicated that at the heart of the transformations in Asia is certainly the continued rise of China and American fears of taking its place as the first power in the world. There is no doubt that whenever the problems of U.S.-China relations are wisely managed, or solutions are found for them or even working to alleviate them, all of this will be in the interest of other states, whether developing or developed, including Gulf States, evidently.
He added that there is a significant list of global problems and issues that the United States and China can cooperate on; even regarding the war in Ukraine, and the Western criticism directed at China for its refusal so far to oppose the war, a significant current believes that China believes that the war is a mistake for Russia, and that with some diplomatic effort, its “neutral” position can be transformed to be constructive. In connection with the rise of China and America’s competition with it, it is noted that dealing with China has become the top foreign policy consideration of the major powers, and even of almost every country. The economies of many countries rise or fall in tune with Beijing’s purchasing powers and tastes. From a Western perspective, China’s strategic openness and expansion extends beyond defending core Chinese interests, while the Belt and Road Initiative is being evaluated as a reflection of Beijing’s global ambitions. In this context, the U.S. military strategy is being focused in the Indo-Pacific region, and it has sought to strengthen its relations with the so-called Quad countries, and to encourage the Europeans to have a naval presence in the operations’ scene. As for intelligence agencies, they focus on China’s “cyber” activities, and on coming up with a better understanding of China’s decision-making mechanism and goals. However, these military, intelligence, and diplomatic efforts have not yet been coupled with a clear strategy that can attract friends and compete with a state like China, which is the leading trading partner for every country in the region.
As for the Arabian Gulf region, there is no doubt that the major powers’ competition had a significant impact on Iran’s position in the region, which has become very close to Russia and China. There is no doubt that Iran’s acceptance as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization during the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Samarkand, and its participation in the 2023 summit – hosted by India – is clear evidence of this. Evidently, the war in Ukraine led to a kind of “trusted defense partnership” between Moscow and Tehran. On the other hand, Bahrain, Kuwait and the Emirates have been accepted as dialogue partners in the organization, and this will enhance the ability of these countries to create a balance between their relations with the United States on the one hand and with both China and Russia on the other hand, and it also enables them to achieve significant economic benefits with economic cooperation dialogue with Central Asian countries rich in energy resources, bringing its states together with the Gulf Cooperation Council states in a strategic dialogue, launched from Riyadh on September 7, 2022, includes cooperation in all areas of common interest, in addition to bilateral cooperation frameworks.
There is no doubt that the trends of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and its vision for political and economic governance are consistent with the Gulf vision, which is an additional consideration for greater openness and cooperation with the organization. On the other hand, regardless of the transformations in Asia, the adoption of a realistic policy by the Gulf States, and the countries of the Arab region in general, that intersects with the principles of political and economic governance on which Chinese policy is based, all of which greatly benefited China and the Arab world alike. The Gulf States and other states in the region have found in China, and in other leading economies in Asia such as India, Japan and South Korea, reliable partners who can help achieve their ambitions within the framework of the comprehensive development plans of many countries. Most Arab countries today raise slogans such as localizing industry, even defense industries, ensuring technology transfer, and many others through the policy of heading east. The Gulf States and Arab states in general also supported China’s position in connection with the Uyghurs community against Western criticism, and also supported Beijing’s narrative of countering terrorism and religious extremism in Xinjiang Province.