... The recent Chinese-brokered Saudi-Iran deal could mean that China is attempting to transcend this nature of the relationship and compete with the US for regional influence, but surpassing the US’s standing will be quite a challenge. The US remains the top security partner of the Gulf and maintains multifaceted relations with Gulf states, which encompass not just trade but also close military, diplomatic, cultural, educational and social ties. The hurried abandonment of the Chinese military base in the UAE after an intervention from Washington in 2021 reflects this reality. By contrast, Israel has maintained substantial technological cooperation with China...