Thinking About ChinaOpinionChina’s Challenge to the US in the Middle EastIs Beijing replacing Washington as the primary powerbroker in the region?SavePrintRussian, Chinese, and Iranian warships participate in a joint military drill in the Indian Ocean on Jan. 21, 2022. Iranian Army office/AFP via Getty ImagesJames Gorrie11/10/2023|Updated: 11/13/20230:00X 1CommentaryFor decades, the United States played the primary role of powerbroker and peacemaker in the Middle East.Share this articleLeave a commentJames GorrieAuthorJames Gorrie is the author of the 2013 book “The China Crisis” and discusses current events and China on his YouTube Podcast, The Banana Republican. Author’s Selected ArticlesChina’s Xi and CCP Under Growing PressureAug 08, 2025Communist China’s Pain Is America’s GainAug 07, 2025China’s New Law Legalizes Stealing Foreign IPJul 26, 2025A Washington–New Delhi Alliance Is a Perfect Storm Against China, for IndiaJul 14, 2025Related TopicsMilitary presenceChina's influence in the MideastBiden foreign policy