Xi Jinping wanted to show that China is a viable alternative to the US, says Peter Bergen. The Saudis have always said that support for Palestine is one of the key pillars of their regional policy. This would have been creating an even stronger coalition of Arab countries working with Israel and balancing against Iran. It wouldn't have done anything to lower the temperatures in the region.
Iran and Saudi Arabia surprised many governments in March when they announced an agreement to restore diplomatic relations–ending a seven-year freeze.
Just as surprising: The deal was brokered by China.
Bloomberg correspondents Golnar Motevalli and Sam Dagher join this episode to explain how this landmark agreement came together and what each side hopes to gain from it.
And Jonathan Fulton, a nonresident senior fellow for Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs, talks about China’s critical role in this deal and the nation’s growing ambitions as a global power broker.
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