China’s ambitious One Belt, One Road (OBOR, also known as Belt and Road) initiative is an exercise in building up geopolitical influence. The Chinese regime has used the historical imagery of the Silk Road trade route as the rationale for partnering with more than 60 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa on massive infrastructure projects.
The projects have increasingly drawn scrutiny, however, with some countries concerned that the Chinese regime could be using the program to buy political allegiance and further its geopolitical interests.
