Experts in the News

“It’s not like Saudi Arabia isn’t fully conscious that even a Chinese guarantee has its limits,” said fellow Yasmine Farouk of China's involvement in the Saudi-Iran pact. “The Saudis have learned, over the past few years, very hard lessons, one of those being we have to continue in the diversification of our relationships.”

As Saudi Arabia and Iran reestablish ties, when it comes to defense and security, Saudi officials are not looking to replace the U.S. with China. “Riyadh still thinks in English,” fellow Yasmine Farouk told the New York Times. "But after years of feeling that the United States has become a less reliable ally, the Saudis are expanding their alliances wherever they can."