The announcement of Saudi Arabia and Iran’s intention to restore relations and reopen embassies after seven years with their backs turned opened the political chessboard in the Middle East. Suddenly, the possibility of peace in Yemen gained momentum and saw the hitherto isolated Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, open international doors again – there could even be a return to the Arab League at the end of the corridor. The biggest surprise, however, was the fact that the agreement between Riyadh and Tehran was “made in China”. What other assets does Beijing have up its sleeve?
“The agreement came as a surprise to everyone. Suddenly, China managed to bring together the two great arch-rivals of the Middle East: Saudi Arabia, the stronghold of Sunnism, and Iran, the stronghold of Shiism,” he said. . at the DN the professor of ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, Maria João Tomás, specialist in themes of the Middle East and China.
Source: DN
