How should we understand the unquenchable desire of China's interests in the Middle East? The nations, such as Syria, Israel, Egypt, Iran, are competing to be better "economic partners" with China. Recently, Iran just officially became the new member of SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization), which signified the firm tie between China and the Iran. Is China gearing up for something big? How about the relationship between Palestine and China? Can Beijing solve the political dispute between Israel and Palestine?

Dr. Kristian Ulrichsen is the Fellow for the Middle East at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. His research spans the history, political and international political economy, and international relations of the Gulf States and their changing position within the global order.