Xi’s New Year and World Order
In his New Year’s Eve speech, Chinese president Xi Jinping addressed two issues the non-Chinese world finds concerning—the rise of Chinese nationalism and the Chinese concept of a new world order. In line with his three global initiatives (development, security, civilization), President Xi connected the two issues and demonstrated the ways in which the “Rejuvenation […]
Everything that is not CPC – The United Front Work Department
The CPC is the heart of the People’s Republic of China. It is the center from which emanate order and leadership, the most influential organization in the country. While the great majority of China’s organizational and institutional existence is carried out within the CPC, the party considers it its responsibility to also organize and regulate […]
China’s Take on Syria – Initial Thoughts
Where is China in the midst of the fast-paced movement of events in and around Syria? The reshaping of the Syrian power landscape has contributed to the recent China rethink regarding its ambition to have a growing diplomatic role in the Middle East. Until four months ago, many in Beijing and across the Global South […]
Shattering the Mirage: China’s Actual Influence in the Middle East and North Africa
Dale Aluf is the founder of Political Mind. He is also a research fellow at SIGNAL Group, for which he served as Research Director from 2017 to 2024. His research examines the impact of China’s rise on the Middle East and North Africa. This is a preprint of an article whose final and definitive form has been […]
China Is Recalculating Its Middle East Policy
Since the October 7th massacre in southern Israel and the outbreak of the war in Gaza, China’s leadership has conveyed outright support in word and deed for the Iran-led “Axis of Resistance.” The display of strategic vulnerability by Iran and its proxies since mid-August appears to have prompted Beijing to pause and reassess. Upon return […]
Democracy: To Be or Not To Be
To be a democracy or not to be a democracy. That is the question. According to China’s leadership—definitely be a democracy. If you find this confusing, just wait… it becomes even more so. Although in 2014, President Xi Jinping made it crystal clear that democracy is not for China, and that the US should stop […]
Israel Is Not an Outpost of the West
SIGNAL Group Advisory Board Member David P Goldman talks with Israeli journalist Caroline Glick about all matters under the geopolitical sun. Veteran Israeli journalist and author Caroline Glick interviewed Asia Times Deputy Editor David P Goldman on her popular podcast on August 30. The interview is available on YouTube. An abridged transcript follows here: Glick: Welcome to another […]
The Myth of China’s Rise and U.S. Decline in the Middle East.
Middle East geopolitical commentary often falls into the trap of sensationalist eulogies over the supposed demise of U.S. regional influence in face of China’s mounting heft and unstoppable sway. This narrative is frequently echoed in Chinese state speeches and media reports set against a backdrop of beautifully choreographed events and photo-ops. In the diplomatic equivalent […]
Another step in Beijing’s Bid to Reshape World Order
This was a show of power and leadership regarding the ‘Global South’ that aimed to send a message of strength and confidence to the ‘Global North’. But mostly the 11th annual Beijing Xiangshan Forum (BXF) was about putting President Xi Jinping’s framework for reshaping global governance onto the main stage. If it were the US, […]
What to Make of China’s Moves in the Middle East
In late July, 14 Palestinian factions including rivals Hamas andFatah agreed “to end their divisions and form an interim national unity government” in a “Beijing Declaration” after negotiations in the capital that began on July 21. The talks followed an earlier attempt by China to broker a deal between Fatah and Hamas. Beijing positioned itself as a would-be power […]