China: Erudite, Suave, and Clever

By Sam Huntington

It is an interesting study. On the one hand, we have Barack Obama, a man elected to the American presidency owing to his vast experience and proven diplomatic ability, who in spite of apologizing to the entire world for the United States of America, its history, and its people, managed to fall flat on his face during the so-called Arab Spring movement. On the other hand, there is a growing Chinese influence in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) that is anything but Obama-like. Let’s take a look …

One may recall that the Arab Spring had its beginning when a Tunisian set himself on fire after being harassed by a city official. It has been shaking the Middle East ever since. Three dictators have met their end because of the Arab Spring, but we are not entirely sure this was a good thing. It takes years to record a history.



In the wake of the successful civil disturbances in Tunisia and Egypt, the threat that these instabilities would spread was in fact real—and worrisome to everyone except the Obama administration. No need to worry about that 3 a.m. phone call—no one is answering the phone. Demonstrations occurred in Algeria, Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Syria, and Yemen. A major civil uprising engulfed Libya. While some countries placated the people with moderate reforms, other nations responded with a heavy hand. Al Qaeda terrorists were quick to seize hold of the uprisings in Syria: the violence there continues. In Saudi Arabia, everyone received a raise in pay.

How did the United States respond to this crisis? Well, we essentially pissed ourselves and then somehow managed to get four Americans killed. You know, you will not find a more simplistic foreign policy than this …

China, on the other hand, has been nothing if not consistent in its MENA policies and programs. What motivates China is a desire for energy security and an increase of overseas markets and investment opportunities. China consistently opposes military intervention; its MENA policy pragmatic and realistic. In order to achieve energy security and economic opportunity, China prefers a stable international environment. Yes, by all means, let us have reform … but let us do it in such a way that it does not disrupt business opportunity. In China, there are three focuses: find ways to cooperate, negotiate, and manage conflict in a way that benefits all concerned. Does this meet the needs of the people? I say yes: if it stabilizes government, then it meets the needs of the people in such areas as personal security and economic opportunity.

China, therefore, opposes US military intervention —for obvious reasons. Sending in Army Rangers does little to stabilize government until you first kill everyone in the old government. Such events would require China to place its long-range economic plans on hold. It may require starting over in complex negotiations. None of thee things seem to occur to Barack Obama, who is looking for ways to provide arms to Al Qaeda terrorists in Syria. I believe this is largely a result of the fact that only a few of Obama’s cabinet officers have ever worked in the private sector. He does not know business. He only knows bumbling.

MENA countries have long been a strategic focus of the US, Russia, and the European Union. For China, the area is not as important as its neighbors in the Pacific area are and so its Middle East behavior hinges on its understanding of western strategies.

I think the Obama administration has China’s foreign policy analysts scratching their heads and sucking air through their teeth. China wants to avoid actions that will place it in a direct confrontation with the United States. This is what is driving Chinese MENA policies, and so far, they appear to be the real winners. No one in the Middle East views China as a threat. This situation should continue for as long as almost everyone in the Middle East looks upon the US as a great Satan.

We therefore wonder who benefits most when the Arabs hate us with unbridled passion. Working behind the scenes, China is being extraordinarily knowledgeable, exceedingly smooth, and astonishingly clever. We, on the other hand, have Barack Obama and John Kerry.