Сближение ОАЭ и Китая на базе искусственного интеллекта [Rapprochement of the UAE and China based on artificial intelligence]
NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA
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As Guy Burton, adjunct professor at Vesalius College (Brussels), noted in a conversation with NG, the US authorities would like both the Emirates and Saudi Arabia to be in the same boat when it comes to the role of the PRC. “The US views China as its main long-term rival, even if its presence is limited and focused on the Middle East mainly economically,” the expert explained. That is why, according to him, Washington becomes extremely uncomfortable when its allies and closest partners begin to interact with an Asian power in areas that can be very vulnerable in terms of security.
At the same time, the interlocutor notes the countries of the Middle East have their own interests, which do not always coincide with the interests of America. “They believe that the US is either in decline or not as committed to the region as it used to be,” says Burton. The Middle East players have their own economic diversification plans that require implementation, investment and trade, he said. “China is important in this regard because it is such a major partner in terms of trade and business in the Middle East,” emphasizes the interlocutor of NG.
The US is trying to apply the carrot and stick method to the UAE when it comes to China, the expert notes. “On the one hand, the Trump administration agreed to sell F-35 aircraft to the UAE,” Burton recalls. “But then the Biden administration that came to power demanded assurances that the UAE would not share American military technology know-how with the Chinese or undermine Israel's qualitative advantage. This led the UAE to put the deal on hold." In the same way, the United States was interested in the normalization agreements between Israel and the Arab world not only helping to restore official contacts and unite American partners, but also obscure the influence of the PRC, the NG interlocutor notes.
"However, from China's point of view, closer cooperation between these states could be useful for their own purposes - contrary to what the Americans hoped for,” Burton said. “Ultimately, there is little the US can do to counter Saudi and Emirates engagement with China. Showing disgust doesn't seem to be serving America's interests, as the recent spat between the US and Saudi Arabia over the OPEC+ decision to cut production has demonstrated." Washington does not appear to have much leverage when it comes to dissuading its allies from cooperating with the Chinese, the analyst said.
“The transition from rhetoric to actions such as boycott and sanctions may be too big a step and exacerbate hostility,” the NG interlocutor admitted. - Perhaps the Americans could reorient their position in the region and relations with other states, but this is a longer and more gradual process that will not give immediate results. And in the same way, it can cause antipathy from the Saudis and the Emiratis.”
