Saudi/Iran peace deal brokered by China

14 comments on “Saudi/Iran peace deal brokered by China ”

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1. Tiger Mountain 1

   13 March 2023 at 5:52 pm

   Well reported Mike. Makes a pleasant change from the usual imperialist posturing on such issues.

   Many that pathetically support “our” imperialist, namely USA, don’t seem to get that vast numbers in the Southern Hemisphere have a different take on things.
2. Beedee 2

   13 March 2023 at 5:53 pm

   Thanks for that Mike. There doesn't seem to be any local media reporting of this pretty significant deal.

   Presumably this could also reduce some of the impact of the US sanctions on Iran; particularly if the Saudis decide to increase investments in Iran?
3. roblogic 3

   13 March 2023 at 9:19 pm

   A tiny hope for the human race, if this kind of sanity takes hold, maybe we won't destroy ourselves
4. tsmithfield 4

   14 March 2023 at 9:33 am

   Potentially China could help broker a peace deal in Ukraine. But they would have to back right away from any thought of arming Russia through the back door for that to work.

   China should be able to pressure Russia because the Chinese say they respect interational borders. From the article:

   "China firmly advocates respecting and safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries," Wang said, according to a statement from China's Foreign Ministry. "This equally applies to the Ukraine issue."

   So, China should be pressuring Russia to leave Ukrainian territory in order to facilitate a peace deal that will finally end this war.
   • SPC 4.1

     14 March 2023 at 5:42 pm

     "China firmly advocates respecting and safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries," Wang said, according to a statement from China's Foreign Ministry. "This equally applies to the Ukraine issue."

     So, China should be pressuring Russia to leave Ukrainian territory in order to facilitate a peace deal that will finally end this war.

     It's a message to the West, accept Taiwan is part of China and then there might be a stronger Chinese position on Ukraine.
   • Adrian Thornton 4.2

     16 March 2023 at 8:15 am

     @tsmithfield…you do understand that having a Guardian link on the subject of the Ukraine war is about as useful as having an RT link right?…in other words, mostly pointless, that is if, it is actually truth and facts you are hoping to convey to other Standard readers…but on the other hand, if it is an echo chamber you are hoping to reinforce, then The Guardian is an excellent choice.
5. SPC 5

   14 March 2023 at 5:17 pm

   Meanwhile the West has its response to the invasion of Ukraine and China’s refusal to stand by the principle of nation state sovereignty.

   The UK is increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP and its Defence Minister wants it at 3% by 2030.

   The government has set out its plans for foreign and defence policy in an new version of the so-called Integrated Review.

   The update was ordered by then-Prime Minister Liz Truss in September last year to take account of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

   The review identified Russia as "the most pressing national security and foreign policy priority in the short-to-medium term".

   But it also describes China under Communist Party rule as an "epoch-defining and systemic challenge… across almost every aspect of national life and government policy".

   https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64943445
6. SPC 6

   14 March 2023 at 5:32 pm

   Given the problematic situation in Yemen can be best resolved by agreement between SA and Iran, no one is troubled by the development – having diplomatic relations is a prerequisite.

   The Americans were increasingly embarrassed at the SA bombing in Yemen while concerned at Russian actions in Ukraine (and cessation of conflict is vital for aid delivery). But have issues with Iran, given it's now bipartisan not to return to the Obama era deal but instead to maintain sanctions.

   A related issue is Iraq, they have real issues forming a functional government – and its current direction is towards Islamist polity (SA and Iran both have their own versions) with the more secular (nationalist) minded Kurds and others (secularists, women and Christians) sidelined. That might lead to a SA backed Sunni party and Shia backed one in alliance – SA though would oppose any formal/established Iranian alignment in its government (whether military or security).
7. SPC 7

   14 March 2023 at 5:38 pm

   China's motive is obvious – the Suez to Asia and the Persian Gulf to China trade supply lines are important to it.

   And in general they also would want a world where there are more resolved issues and fewer areas of conflict.

   This speaks to a goal of the Xi Jinping to secure within the last 2 of his 4 terms, a pathway for Taiwan into China while placating concerns about any greater ambition as to military sphere hegemony in SE Asia and East Asia.
8. aj 8

   14 March 2023 at 6:57 pm

   Suez to Asia and the Persian Gulf to China trade supply lines are important to it.

   BRI.

   And in general they also would want a world where there are more resolved issues and fewer areas of conflict.

   Something that everyone should support, in the interest of mankind's future on the planet
9. Ad 9

   15 March 2023 at 10:42 am

   This won't phase either State or Pentagon. They'd made the call to abandon the Middle East even before pulling out of Afghanistan.

   Good luck to China's senior diplomats if they want to step into the Ukraine-Russia space.

   I'd bet however it will be Europe and the US that will dictate the terms of the end of war, and it will look something like the Treaty of Versailles.

   An optimum outcome of the war is that Putin chooses to not stand at the next election and pretty quickly after that Russia breaks into a further series of Balkanised 'stans'. At which point Europe will be more free to expand.
   • Adrian Thornton 9.1

     16 March 2023 at 8:08 am

     "Russia breaks into a further series of Balkanised 'stans'. At which point Europe will be more free to expand"….you put your finger on it right there ad, this a widely held Western hegemonic World view point, a view which has been pursued by many at the highest political and military positions in the West for decades…which is of course one of the main reasons why Russia is at war in the Ukraine today….and further Ad, if you really believe that it is only Putin that is the glue that holds Russian nationalist Bear together, and by removing him Russia would "quickly into a further series of Balkanised 'stans"..then I would suggest that you have been reading a little to much BBC, Guardian, WoPo propaganda for your own good my friend.
10. aj 10

    15 March 2023 at 4:36 pm

    Ex PM Paul Keating on Meet The Press, SKY News Australia this afternoon, it was very entertaining and he completely dismembered a number of reporters, did not bother to hold back his contempt for some recent stories.

    https://twitter.com/Qldaah/status/1635840697604657153?cxt=HHwWgsDSndGc1rMtAAAA

    For context read this story:

    Paul Keating calls nuclear submarines worst decision by Labor government since WWI conscription

    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/paul-keating-calls-nuclear-submarines-worst-decision-by-labor-government-since-wwi-conscription-20230315-p5csba.html
    • SPC 10.1

      15 March 2023 at 4:55 pm

      This is the contrary opinion.

      https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-got-the-subs-deal-spectacularly-right-and-can-thank-scott-morrison-20230314-p5crz3.html

      However, Paul Keating's opine is based on the concept of Oz security within Asia and independence from the UK-USA security alliance. Thus conforming Oz polity to subservience within its relationship with the dominant power within the region, China – which would have meant using Chinese comms infrastructure, no participation in the Quad and ultimately withdrawal from ANZUS.

      And his reading of the approach taken and to the next level with this decision, is premised on it being a security dependence on outside powers and to conflict within the region with China.

      The traditional purpose of containment (George Kennan Cold War – Russia) is not conflict, but conflict prevention. George Kennan would have said it worked fine (was aided by Nixon's tilt to China in the 1970's) and the problem was not resolving issues with Russia when the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union ended. Thus the lesson of Europe is that containment works but it also requires diplomacy (de-escalation during the containment phase and then with conflict resolution a new diplomatic beginning).

      The real issue remains one of the path to conflict resolution. And what role a nation plays in the wider issue, participant in containment, or the diplomacy.

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