Evolution of Middle East's Power Structure

Wang: The U. S. stated purposes of military actions against Iraq are to "overthrow Saddam" and "transform Iraq. " I am afraid such actions would cause a big stir. Tang: I think so. American military actions against Iraq will not only promote the birth of a new Iraq but also change the international relations and military balance in the Middle East. Washington’s revealed intention shows that it hopes to create a democratic and pro-

Russia-US Rivalry and Accelerated Geopolitical Change in the Middle East

The Middle East geopolitical landscape is undergoing accelerated transformation, distinguished by Russia-US rivalry and supplemented by Iran-Saudi contest. Divisions among regional camps have become even more distinct in the absence of effective leadership in the Arab world, and the Kurdish factor still plays an important role in the evolution of regional geopolitics despite partial setbacks.

The Belt and Road Initiatives and China＇s Middle East Energy Policy

The paper analyses the roots of the Belt and Road Initiative as well as China＇s Middle East Energy Policy in an age of great transformation. China＇s rapidly progressed economic growth leading to a dramatic increase in China＇s energy demand in recent years. The Middle East countries play a critical role in the international energy markets. Stable relations with the Middle East countries become increasingly important for Chinese energy security, and the continued development. The protection of these relations lies at the core of the Belt and Road Initiative. Within The Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Middle East energy policy proceeds according to the energy cooperation framework known as ＂1＋2＋3＂, which seeks to build a reliable China-Arab strategic cooperative relationship based on long-term friendship. To avoid over dependence on the energy resources of the Middle East, China will also continue to search for other overseas energy sources and protect transportation channels. Despite risks and challenges associated with energy imports from the Middle East, China has cultivated strong relations with states in the region and will develop these economic ties further in the coming years.

EU’S MIDDLE EAST POLICY:ITS ADJUSTMENT AND PREDICAMENT AMID PERSISTENT CHAOS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The European Union(EU)shapes its policy towards the Middle East under the twin impacts of the United States’strategic orientation in the Middle East and the dynamics in the region.However,a series of unilateral actions taken by the Trump administration,including declaring to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action(JCPOA),resuming and keeping increasing sanctions on Iran.

Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: Is it worth a world panic?

In- 2012 Middle-East respiratory syn-drome coron-avirus(MERS-CoV) was evolved in- the Arabian- Pen-in-sula. Tre-men-dous an-d successful efforts have been- con-ducted to discover the gen-ome structure, epidemiology, clin-ical sign-s, pathogen-esis, diagn-osis an-d an-tiviral therapy. Taphozous perforatus bats are the in-crimin-ated reservoir host and camels are the currently confirmed an-imal lin-ker. The virus resulted in- less than- 1000 in-fected cases an-d 355 deaths. The case fatality rate of the MERS-Co V is high, however, man-y survivors of MERS-CoV in-fection- showed in-apparen-t in-fection-s an-d, in- several cases, multiple co-in-fectin-g agen-ts did exist. Although MERS-CoV appears to be a dan-gerous disease, it is argued here that a full assessmen-t of curren-t kn-owledge about the disease does n-ot suggest that it is a truly scary killer.

The Influence of Christian Nationalism on U.S.Foreign Policy

This paper explores the influence of Christian nationalism on U.S.foreign policy,examining its historical roots,ideological foundations,and contemporary implications.Christian nationalism,an ideology that links Christianity with national identity,has shaped U.S.foreign policy in areas such as religious freedom,Middle East diplomacy,and national security.Through its emphasis on the moral duty to defend Christianity and its promotion of conservative social values,Christian nationalism has affected U.S.relations with countries around the world,particularly in the Middle East and with religious minorities.The paper discusses the complexities and controversies surrounding Christian nationalism,its impact on the U.S.’s global image,and the challenges it poses to religious pluralism.The future of Christian nationalism’s influence on U.S.foreign policy is uncertain,as societal shifts and evolving global dynamics may prompt a reevaluation of its role in shaping America’s international actions.Overall,the paper provides a nuanced analysis of how Christian nationalism has intertwined with U.S.foreign policy and how its influence might evolve in the future.

广义S变换多频解释技术及其在薄层评价中的应用

为了利用时频转换后地震资料完成高速围岩屏蔽薄层定量评价,应用广义S变换对目标地震开展解释性处理,落实薄层时频域地震可识别程度。结合实钻砂体发育数据、频谱分析、薄层时频特征等,开展时频转换数据优选,提取频率梯度属性定性分析目标区沉积储层平面展布特征。构建实钻数据与频率梯度数学关系,完成薄层定量评价。对中东地区实际资料处理解释表明,基于广义S变换的多频解释技术对于高速围岩屏蔽的薄层评价具有较好的应用效果,提高了储层预测精度,为利用地震资料开展储层定量评价提供了一套技术思路,具有广阔的应用前景。

China’s Proposition to Build a Community of Shared Future for Mankind and the Middle East Governance

The proposition to build a community of shared future for mankind is a new concept that the Chinese government has advocated after the 18th National Congress of the CPC,aiming to develop a new structure of international relations and upgrade the global governance model.As a Chinese proposition that reflects China’s wisdom,this concept is based on the long-standing cultural tradition and the advanced Chinese ideological system,representing a new perspective for international cooperation and international order and the new concepts of development,security and civilization.This proposition offers the right direction for the ongoing efforts to improve global governance.The governance in the Middle East is a weak link in global governance,but it is a critical factor for improvement.As a rising power,China is playing an increasingly prominent and constructive role in the Middle East governance.China’s proposition to build a community of shared future for mankind and the“Belt and Road”initiative does not only fit very well in the diverse cultural context of the Middle East,but also support the realistic needs of the people there.The proposition,as well as the initiative,will surely drive the improvement of governance in the Middle East and help the region solve issues hindering development and achieve lasting and universal peace.

Comparative Analysis of China’s Energy Activities in the Middle East and Africa

The Middle East and African oil have now accounted for 70%of China’s total oil imports and will have to be China’s major sources of crude oil imports in the future,which means that Beijing will continue to emphasize its energy requirement activities and to forge closer energy cooperation with both regions.China’s energy activities in the Middle East and Africa have similar trade and investment patterns and also similar risks,the“Oil of Politics”such as the Iranian nuclear crisis and the Sudan/Darfur crisis will be the biggest challenges that Beijing faces in the Middle East and Africa.China’s energy activities in the Middle East are somewhat restrained and moderate,given its limited political influence and the instable geopolitical situations in the region.However,China’s energy requirement activities in Africa by means of energy diplomacy,technological and economic assistance,foreign aid and loans and debt cancellation,have and will continue to expand Beijing’s presence and influence in the region,having different geopolitical implications for Beijing,Africa and the West.

Analysis on the Trends of the Middle East Turmoil

The extremist organization“IS”brought additional chaos to the Middle East.It is expected that Egypt will restore order.The main hot spot issues have witnessed some changes but are still hard to solve.The US is the producer of the Middle East turmoil.Internal disputes in the Middle East are still prevalent.China still has great potential to develop the friendship and cooperation with Middle East countries.

Large-Scale Upheaval in the Middle East and China’s Diplomatic Reactions

Arab countries have been faced with a large scale Middle Eastern upheaval,which has attracted the attention of all the Middle Eastern countries and international community.The current situation is primarily related to the important location of the Middle East.Nearly all the Arab countries are involved in the upheaval.Omnifarious appeals are claimed by the people,including political,economic and social aspects.The problems have been accumulating for years,and the Middle East upheaval in 2011 was an overall outburst of people’s dissatisfaction.The cost of the unrest is high despite the social progress it may promote.At present,a fragile peace is realized in Syria though the prospect of future development is unclear.Since the outbreak of the Middle East upheaval,China has adopted a principle of“non-intervention in other’s internal affairs”and“mediating for peace while promoting talks”policy,which is appropriate and proactive.China should adhere to this practice in the future despite the voices of opposition and temporary misunderstanding.

The Upheaval in the Middle East and China’s Middle East Policy

Due to more than one-year’s upheaval,many Middle Eastern countries experienced regime change,and Syria is the next target and center of this political swirl.The rise of Islamic force is a serious problem for these countries in transition to deal with.Because of this upheaval,the Middle Eastern configuration is facing challenges;the contradiction within regional powers is experiencing growth and decline.The adjustment of America’s Middle East policy has affected the trend of Middle East situation.China’s“non-interference in others’internal affairs”principle gains international society’s interpretation,and China’s diplomacy towards the Middle East is facing important opportunity and enormous challenges.China should seize the opportunity and seek the new development of China-Middle East relations.

From A By-stander to A Constructor:China and the Middle East Security Governance

In the 21st century,Middle East conflicts can generally be classified into four types,namely,conflicts between outside powers and Middle East countries,between Middle East countries themselves,between different political parties and religious sects within a sovereign country,as well as transnational and cross-bordering conflicts.The mode of China’s participation in Middle East security governance includes the political,security and social conflicts.There are three categories of domestic mechanisms in Chinese practice,specifically,the special envoy mechanism by Chinese Foreign Ministry,the procession and peace-keeping mechanisms by Chinese Defense Ministry and the foreign aid mechanism by Chinese Ministry of Commerce.The China-Arab States Cooperation Forum,the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation,the UN and other international organizations constitute the major international regimes for China’s security governance.China’s Middle East security governance creates not only“public goods”for the region,but also a means for China to build constructive great power relations with the US,EU and Russia,among others.The styles of Chinese and Western security governance in the Middle East vary,and the Chinese side places more emphasis on improving the Middle East people’s well-being at the top of the agenda,following“up-bottom”roadmap,and seeking an incremental,consultative,inclusive,and selective governance in the Middle East conflict resolution.

China’s Economic Restructuring and Extension of China’s Middle East Strategy

Joint construction of“the Silk Road Economic Belt”and“the Maritime Silk Road of the 21st Century”is not only the objective requirement of China’s further economic development and its deepening reform and opening policy,especially its national strategy of“opening to the west”,but also a major historical opportunity for the development of the Asia-Europe countries particularly the Middle East countries.While Chinese economy achieved remarkable development,the economy of the Middle Eastern countries ploughed through the turmoil and fighting.From the point of view of the global economy,the economies of China and of the Middle East countries are at different stages of historical development.This kind of difference just reflected the complementarity in their economic cooperation.The two sides ought to grasp this historical opportunity,use complementary advantages and achieve win-win cooperation.With the status of the Middle East in China’s diplomacy being definitely rising,China’s Middle East strategy should grasp four points of emphasis,such as expansion of the international political space,strengthening of national security,promotion of trade and economic cooperation,and enhancing soft power.

On the Strategic Relationship between China and Islamic Countries in the Middle East

The relationship between China and the Islamic countries has been of strategic significance;mutual understanding and mutual respect in their political ties has been the mainstream in the bilateral relationship.Since the founding of new China,their relationship has undergone two phases:from bilateral to multilateral relations and from mainly in the political field to comprehensive ties in the economic and trade,resources,security,culture and other fields.For future development of bilateral relationships,issues such as misjudgment and misunderstanding,trade imbalance and conflicts of interest must be resolved.To do so,strategic significance must be attached to bilateral relationships so as to uplift the strategic position of the Middle East in the overall Chinese diplomacy,establish a Middle East strategy with Chinese characteristics and strengthen China's cultural diplomacy including religious communication with the Islamic countries in the Middle East.

Middle East Terrorism,Global Governance and China’s Anti-terror Policy

The anti-terror campaign in the Middle East is the key and influential part of global anti-terror endeavor,which is one of the most challenging global governance issues in the international community.It is closely linked with the transformation of the international system and the reconstruction of the world’s new political and economic order.Within the background of economic globalization,the Middle East Islamic countries are confronted with the problems of promoting reform and development,facilitating institutional reform and social transformation.Internally,the Middle East terrorism originates from the complicated historical,social,religious and ethnic conflicts;externally,the Middle East terrorism hinges on interference,invasion,occupation,and the rival for territory,recourses and interest.China’s anti-terror endeavor aims at protecting its overseas interest and meanwhile,it reflects China’s unique idea and mode of global governance.

China’s Energy Strategy and Primary Role of the Middle East in This Strategy

In face of challenges to its energy security,China has been making adjustments in its energy policy and energy development strategy since mid-1990s,and implementing a strategy for overseas energy development.Compared with Central Asia,Latin America,Southeast Asia and West Africa,the Middle East is still the major source for China’s overseas energy cooperation and development.To avoid over-dependence on the energy resources in the Middle East,China seeks more overseas energy sources and transportation channels other than those in or connected to the Middle East.However,the primary role of the Middle East in China’s overall strategy for overseas energy development is still irreplaceable by that of any other region,at least for the near future.This situation will surely produce an increasingly important impact on China’s Middle East policy,moving China to take a more active posture in the political and economic arena of the region.It can even be expected that China to maintain its stable and friendly relations with Middle East countries,will,more likely than ever,act as a diplomatic mediator in trying to resolve certain longstanding conflicts in the region.

The Relative Deprivation Theory and Yemen＇s Uprising

The political upheavals in the Arab world during 2011 challenged the political status quo and have irrevocably paved the way toward transformation in the Middle East and North Africa （MENA）, The longstanding structural impediments to equitable growth and social justice afflicting the Arab world came to a head through a combination of persistently poverty, high unemployment, particularly among educated youth, rampant corruption, deficit of democratic governance, and essential freedoms. Yemen is the third country of the Middle Eastern countries which turmoil sparked in. All the uprisings connote of social, political and economic discontent and frustration. The main question and issue of this paper is to answer： What conditions breed change to Yemen？ The paper spotlights ＂relative deprivation＂ of Ted Robert Gurr as the most relevant theory to illustrate roots of the Yemen uprising. Relative deprivation theory holds that instead of an absolute standard deprivation, a gap between expectations and reality leads men to political violence. Therefore, this study is to utilize relative deprivation theory to explain how socio-economic shortages （such as high unemployment and education, along with poverty） and political inefficiencies of the Yemen＇s authoritarian regime led to public and collective discontent and upheaval. The intervened variables such as ＂ethnicity, race, religion, and sexuality＂ and international parameters have not been considered,

Development of Sino-Arab Relations and the Evolution of China’s Middle East Policy in the New Era

China and the Arab countries enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges.During the Cold War period,significant accomplishments were achieved in their bilateral political cooperation.Recent years have witnessed the great success of comprehensive cooperation toward mutual benefits within the framework of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum.However,the turbulence in the Middle East and the U.S.Greater Middle East Initiative have emerged as a new challenge to the future development of bilateral relations.Yet China’s Middle East policy has not remained stagnant;its prompt readjustments have brought momentum to the healthy development of Sino-Arab bilateral relations.

简论21世纪初美国中东战略中的美国-伊朗关系

美国对伊朗战略是美国中东战略的重要组成部分。伊朗的政治、经济、社会体制的变化将引起中东政治格局的重大变化。9.11事件以后,美国中东战略的焦点转变为“反恐”:军事上以打击恐怖主义组织和活动、占领中东的战略要地为目标,在中东大力传播美国的“民主、人权”意识,在重建伊拉克、阿富汗、推进中东和平路线图的口号下“改造中东”,经济上控制中东的石油天然气资源,扩张美国在中东的市场,实施“美国-中东自由贸易区”构想,弱化中东和平进程的意义,千方百计使美国的国家利益最大化。美国-伊朗关系,始终围绕着两国国家利益这一核心展开。本文简略地分析了21世纪初期以来美国-伊朗关系的特征及其变化、影响当今美国-伊朗关系的重大障碍,预测了美国的伊朗政策走势,结论是:21世纪初期美国-伊朗关系根本改善的可能性不大。