Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America

Mar 14, 2023

Stephen Walt argues that China could mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia because it has cordial, business-like ties with a majority of countries in the region: China has diplomatic relations and does business with all sides.  The United States, by contrast, has "special relationships" with some countries in the Middle East and no relationship at all with others, most notably Iran, which handicaps its Middle East policy.