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 ArticlesPutin and Xi Discuss Organ Transplants and Immortality in Hot Mic MomentSep 04, 2025Can the US Counter China’s Rare Earth Dominance?Aug 27, 2025Why Is the CCP Persecuting the Peaceful Falun Gong Spiritual Practice?Aug 20, 2025No Escape? China Stopping Foreign Executives From LeavingAug 19, 2025Related TopicsMilitary presenceChina's influence in the MideastBiden foreign policy