Ebtesam Al-Ketbi & Guido Steinberg: IRAN AND SAUDI ARABIA: THE END OF CONFRONTATION?

Walter Posch in conversation with Ebtesam Al-Ketbi and Guido Steinberg IRAN AND SAUDI ARABIA: THE END OF CONFRONTATION? On March 10th Iran, Saudi Arabia and China issued a statement declaring that Riyadh and Tehran reestablish diplomatic relations. This statement and the involvement of China came as a surprise for many observers. Whilst no one expects peace to „break out“ immediately some think that there is reason for cautious optimism. After all, a positive trend towards de-escalation can be expected. On the other hand Western observers are concerned about  China’s increasing influence and soft power in the region. This public lecture addresses these questions from a regional and a transatlantic perspective. Ebtesam Al-Ketbi is the President and Founder of the Emirates Policy Center and a Professor of Political Science at the United Arab Emirates University Guido Steinberg is Senior Associate at the Africa and Middle East Research Division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) Walter Posch is Senior Fellow at the Institute for Peace Support and Conflict Management (IFK) at the National Academy of Defense