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W6nnews.com ==== وطن === تاريخ النشر – 2026-07-29 22:02:00
Doha – Al Raya: His Excellency Mr. Salem bin Mubarak Al Shafi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Spain, discussed a doctoral thesis that dealt with the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership during the period (2013-2023), and its repercussions on the policies of the two countries towards the Middle East region. The message focused on two main models, namely the Syrian crisis and the Iranian nuclear file, in order to demonstrate the extent to which this partnership contributes to unifying positions or creating an independent margin for each party governed by its national interest. The study also tests the impact of these transformations on the structure of the international system, using the theory of the international alliance and the approaching national interest as a theoretical framework, to provide a scientific addition that fills the gap in contemporary Arab literature. The study stated that Russian-Chinese relations are witnessing an upward path characterized by growing levels of mutual trust and expanding areas of political, economic, and military cooperation, which has contributed to the consolidation of a multi-dimensional strategic partnership between the two countries. Based on that, this study sought to test the extent to which this partnership reflects on the foreign policies of the two countries, by applying it to the Middle East region, as it is one of the most important arenas in which the interests of the major powers intersect, and is witnessing increasing competition between major international powers and actors. In this context, the study was chosen to focus on the Syrian crisis and the Iranian nuclear file because they are among the most prominent issues that reveal the nature of the interactions of the major powers in the region, and they represent a model for demonstrating the extent to which the Russian-Chinese partnership contributes to unifying or bringing closer positions and policies. The two countries towards the issues of the Middle East, taking into account the national considerations and interests that govern their foreign policy. Based on this, the study sought to answer a major question: To what extent has the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership been reflected in the policies of the two countries towards the issues of the Middle East region, especially the Syrian crisis and the Iranian nuclear file? Did this partnership contribute to achieving consensus between them, or did each of them remain independent in their tools and mechanisms for dealing with these two issues? From this main question emerged sub-questions that revolved around the motives and determinants of the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership, and its various dimensions and fields. Then I moved on to analyzing the repercussions of this partnership on the positions of the two countries on the Syrian crisis and the Iranian nuclear file, leading to an assessment of the aspects of compatibility and coordination between them, and the limits of the differences in policies and tools that each party has adopted in dealing with these two issues. As for the time frame of the study, it extended from the year 2013 to the year 2023, a stage that witnessed a remarkable development in the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership and its implications for Middle East issues. The year 2013 was chosen as the beginning of the study because it coincided with the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping to power, and the subsequent strengthening of coordination between Moscow and Beijing, while the year 2023 was chosen as its end because it reflects the peak of the development of this partnership, in light of the announcement of the deepening of the comprehensive strategic coordination partnership, making this period an appropriate time frame for analyzing the impact of the partnership on the policies of the two countries towards regional issues. The importance of the study stems from several considerations, the most important of which is addressing the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership in light of the transformations taking place in the international system and the rise of The roles of the major powers, making them one of the influential variables in reshaping international power balances. In addition, the study focuses on the Middle East region as one of the most important arenas of international competition, by analyzing the policies of the two countries towards the Syrian crisis and the Iranian nuclear file, which reveals the limits of agreement and discrepancy between them. Therefore, the scientific contribution of the study may be represented in seeking to provide an analytical treatment that fills part of the deficiency in the Arab literature related to the impact of the Russian-Chinese partnership on the policies of the two countries towards Middle East issues. With regard to previous studies, it was possible to classify them into three directions. main; The first trend dealt with the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership in terms of its origins, determinants, and areas, while the second trend focused on Russian policy towards Middle East issues, especially the Syrian crisis and the Iranian nuclear file. As for the third trend, it was concerned with analyzing Chinese policy towards the Middle East, with a focus on the two issues under study. Through the analysis of these studies, it became clear that they contributed to building the cognitive framework of the study, but it dealt with each axis separately, while this study seeks to link these trends by analyzing the impact of the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership on the policies of the two countries towards the Middle East, and showing the limits of agreement and discrepancy between them, especially in the Syrian crisis and the Iranian nuclear file. Regarding the theoretical framework, the study relied on the theory of the “international alliance.” Because it contributes to providing a clear picture of international alliances and the foundations on which they are built. The study also relied on the approach of “national interest” as it is one of the basic pillars on which the foreign policy of countries is based, and it means the needs and desires that a sovereign state realizes and contribute to shaping its behavior and foreign policy. As for the division of the study, the study consisted of four main chapters, preceded by an introduction that dealt with its general framework in terms of the research problem and its questions, and its theoretical framework, and the study concluded. By reviewing the most prominent findings and recommendations it made. As for the first chapter of the study, it dealt with the conceptual and theoretical framework, by presenting the concept of strategic partnership and the concepts associated with it, in addition to the theoretical frameworks that explain international alliances and the behavior of states. As for the second chapter, it dealt with the determinants, dimensions, and areas of the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership, with an analysis of its development and repercussions at the regional and international levels. The third chapter specialized in analyzing the compatibility and discrepancies in the Russian and Chinese policies towards the Syrian crisis, While the fourth chapter dealt with the compatibility and discrepancy between the policies of the two countries towards the Iranian nuclear file, through an analysis of the determinants of their foreign policy and its tools. The study concluded with a conclusion that included the most prominent findings it reached, along with a set of recommendations and a forward-looking vision for the future of the Russian-Chinese partnership and its repercussions on the Middle East region. With regard to the findings of the study, it could be divided into two main axes: first, with regard to the impact of the Russian-Chinese partnership on the structure and interactions of the international system. The study made clear that the Russian partnership – During the period (2013-2023), China went beyond the stage of circumstantial cooperation, to become a long-term strategic partnership based on intertwined political, economic, and security interests, and a common vision to reshape the balances of the international system and limit the dominance of unipolarity, which was clearly reflected in the positions of the two countries towards Middle East issues, especially the Syrian crisis and the Iranian nuclear file. The study also showed that this partnership was based on common determinants, represented by the rejection of Western interventions and unilateral sanctions, and the pursuit of strengthening the international standing of the two countries and expanding their influence. In the Middle East, while maintaining the flexible partnership model that combines political, economic and security coordination, without being linked to a traditional military alliance or direct defense commitments. The study also demonstrated that the diversity of areas of cooperation, especially in the economy, energy, technology, military coordination and international institutions, contributed to enhancing the continuity of the partnership and supporting the trend towards multipolarity, which relatively limited the ability of the United States to manage some international and regional issues alone, without leading to the establishment of an alternative international order. The results related to the impact of the Russian-Chinese partnership on the two countries’ policies towards the Syrian crisis and the Iranian nuclear file. The study revealed that Russia and China agree on the strategic importance of the Middle East, although their priorities differ. Russia focuses on the security and geopolitical dimensions, while China pays greater attention to economic considerations and energy security. With regard to the Syrian crisis, the study found a clear consensus between the two countries in preserving the unity of the Syrian state and rejecting foreign interference, but this agreement was limited to general goals, while implementation tools differed. As for the Iranian nuclear file, the study showed a consensus in rejecting Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons, while supporting its right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and rejecting unilateral sanctions, with each party retaining an independent margin of control. his national interests; China focused on the economic dimension and energy security, while Russia dealt with the issue within the framework of the balance of power and its relations with the West. In light of this, the study concluded that the Russian-Chinese partnership contributed to bringing the two countries’ positions closer to the issues of the Middle East, without eliminating the specificity of the national interests of each party, as consensus was achieved in general goals, offset by a relative difference in tools, which reflects that the relationship between them is based on complementarity of roles rather than complete integration. With regard to recommendations and forward-looking vision, it concluded The study indicates that the rapid transformations in the international system, and the rise of the roles of the Eurasian powers, force Arab countries to adopt more balanced and independent foreign policies, based on diversifying international partnerships and expanding the margin of political and economic movement, enabling them to benefit from the state of international competition without engaging in conflicting axes. The study also recommended the necessity of developing Arab power tools, by expanding areas of cooperation with rising powers, especially Russia and China, to include technology transfer, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and energy, in a way that enhances national capabilities and reduces dependence on patterns. The study also stressed the importance of enhancing the economic flexibility of Arab countries through diversifying trade and investment partnerships and activating regional cooperation mechanisms, which contributes to confronting economic pressures and international polarization, in addition to supporting the role of academic and research institutions in studying geopolitical transformations and producing scientific knowledge that contributes to supporting the decision-making process. As for the forward-looking level, the study expects the continued development of the Russian-Chinese partnership, driven by continued Western pressures and the intertwining of interests between the two parties, with the Middle East remaining one of the main arenas of competition. International. On the other hand, the ability of Arab countries to benefit from these transformations will remain dependent on the extent of their success in building more balanced policies, enhancing regional integration, and developing their economic and technological tools, in a way that ensures the protection of their interests and strengthens their position in the emerging international system.
