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.We had a problem loading this article. Please enable javascript or use a different browser. If the issue persists, please visit our help center.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 ArticlesHow China Uses the Israel–Hamas Conflict to Reshape Global PoliticsDec 26, 2025How the CCP Persecutes Christians Who Celebrate Christmas in ChinaDec 23, 2025America’s Battle Against China’s Vast Spy NetworkDec 19, 2025How Tariffs Could Boost the US Economy and Fix the Trade Imbalance With ChinaDec 04, 2025Related TopicsMilitary presenceChina's influence in the MideastBiden foreign policy