The Takeaway: China moves to elevate its role in Middle East, but faces odds - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Joe Snell

Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell

Mar 31, 2021

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) meets with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi (R), in the capital Tehran, on March 27, 2021. - Iran and China signed what state television called a "25-year strategic cooperation pact" on today as the US rivals move closer together. The agreement, which has been kept almost entirely under wraps, was signed by the two countries' foreign ministers, Mohammad Javad Zarif and Wang Yi, an AFP correspondent reported. — AFP via Getty Images — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) meets with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi (R) in the capital Tehran, on March 27, 2021.

Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi is seen on-screen as he speaks via video link during the opening ceremony of the Somaliland representative office in Taipei on Sept. 9, 2020.

What UAE’s growing presence in Somaliland means for its Horn of Africa strategy

Samuel Ramani

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (2nd, L) speaks during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd, R) on June 15, 2018, in Beijing, China. (Photo by Greg Baker-Pool/Getty Images)

Turkey, China assert rapprochement despite Uyghur protests, vaccine delay

Metin Gurcan

A protester from the Uyghur community living in Turkey attends a protest against the visit of China's Foreign Minister to Turkey, in Istanbul on March 25, 2021. - Hundreds protested against the Chinese official visit and what they allege is oppression by the Chinese government to Muslim Uyghurs in the far-western Xinjiang province.

Uyghurs in Turkey protest Chinese FM's visit

Al-Monitor Staff

Al-Monitor Staff

This combination of pictures taken on May 5, 2021, shows (L to R) leader of Israel's Yesh Atid (There Is a Future) party Yair Lapid, and leader of the Yamina (Right) party Naftali Bennett, arriving at the Israeli president's residence in Jerusalem.

The Takeaway: Could a Bennett-Lapid coalition last in Israel?

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Joe Snell

Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell