China's expansion into the Middle East and its effects on U.S. foreign policy

Download
Author
Saito, Henry Toshihiko.
Date
2007-03Advisor
Russell, James A.
Twomey, Christopher P.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
As a repercussion of the phenomenal Chinese economic growth over the past few decades, China is forced to deal with the challenge of meeting an equally rapid increase in energy demand. China realizes that its continued economic expansion is reliant on its ability to meet this growing need. Over 80% of the worldâ s proven oil reserves located in the Middle East, and China realizes that Middle Eastern states will play a vital role in Beijingâ s ability to meet its energy demands in the future. As a result, China has aggressively pursued closer political, military, and economic ties with Middle Eastern states. Chinaâ s actions have come in conflict with U.S. policies in the Middle East, and there currently is much debate regarding Chinaâ s intensions in the Middle East. Some believe Chinaâ s actions are intended to challenge U.S. power and influence in the Middle East. Others believe that China is simply acting in its economic interests. This thesis will examine Chinaâ s policies and actions in the Middle East and will attempt to determine whether China is acting in the offensive realism or economic interdependence school of thought. It examines two cases in particularâ Saudi Arabia and Iranâ and concludes that Chinaâ s behavior is closely aligned to the economic interdependence school of thought.
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Hydro-crisis in the Middle East: water schemes for a thirsty region
Flemming, Matthew S. (2001-06);In the Middle East, water is ecoming a far more valuable natural resource than oil. Access to water has domestic and regional economic, political, and security implications for the Middle East. Water is likely to be the ... -
Chinese-Middle East relations and their implications for U.S. policy.
Schieck, George Foster (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1992-06);China and the Middle East have engaged in various interactions throughout the post-war period. This thesis looks at those interactions and postulates a purposeful intent underlying Chinese-Middle Eastern activity. Purposeful ... -
Globalization and its impact on the Middle East
Ozdemir, Erhan. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2008-12);Participation in globalization would be a great contributing factor to obtaining stable economic growth among Middle East states. In fact, globalization and its use in economic development have profound importance both ...