The China Challenge in the Middle East

April 2023

Past Event

The China Challenge in the Middle East

Past Event

Hudson Institute

April 03, 2023

President Joe Biden meets with China's President Xi Jinping during a virtual summit from the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 15, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

April 2023

Past Event

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When Chinese leader Xi Jinping brokered a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the White House welcomed the news. According to the administration, reduced tensions between the Middle Eastern countries further the president’s long-stated goals and does not represent a significant change in China’s role in the region.

But some analysts regard the deal as a watershed moment—clear proof that Beijing sees the Middle East as a primary arena of competition with the United States. Moreover, China believes that it has scored significant blows to America's status as the undisputed strategic actor in the region. Michael Doran, the director of Hudson's Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East, will discuss this matter with Hudson Senior Fellow Mohammed Khalid Alyahya.

May 2026

In-Person Event | Invite Only

Environmental Agendas, Geopolitical Ends: Climate Policy and Great Power Competition

Featured Speakers:

Michael Doran

Zineb Riboua

Brenda Shaffer

Sam Cooper

May 2026

In-Person Event | Invite Only

Environmental Agendas, Geopolitical Ends: Climate Policy and Great Power Competition

To examine this emerging challenge, Senior Fellow Dr. Michael Doran will convene a conversation with Research Fellow Zineb Riboua, Professor Brenda Shaffer—Research Faculty Member at the US Naval Postgraduate School and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council—and Sam Cooper, an award-winning investigative journalist focusing on China-Canada relations.

Featured Speakers:

Michael Doran

Zineb Riboua

Brenda Shaffer

Sam Cooper

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May 2026

In-Person Event | Invite Only

A Conversation with Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy of the United States, Sarah B. Rogers

Featured Speakers:

Sarah B. Rogers

Zineb Riboua

May 2026

In-Person Event | Invite Only

A Conversation with Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy of the United States, Sarah B. Rogers

Please join the Hudson Institute for a conversation with Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah B. Rogers and Hudson Research Fellow Zineb Riboua on how the United States is adapting its public diplomacy tools to advance its interests abroad, counter censorship, promote free speech, and leverage artificial intelligence to deliver more effective, targeted messaging.

Featured Speakers:

Sarah B. Rogers

Zineb Riboua

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May 2026

Past Event

Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China

Featured Speakers:

Eyck Freymann

Jason Hsu

May 2026

Past Event

Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China

With Jason Hsu, Freymann will discuss how the United States and its partners can adapt to China’s evolving strategy and develop a coherent plan to prevent conflict while safeguarding Taiwan’s future.

Featured Speakers:

Eyck Freymann

Jason Hsu

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May 2026

Past Event

Voices Inside Iran: The Internal Dimension of Operation Epic Fury

Featured Speakers:

Zineb Riboua

Mariam Memarsadeghi

Samira Gharaee

May 2026

Past Event

Voices Inside Iran: The Internal Dimension of Operation Epic Fury

Research Fellow Zineb Riboua will discuss how the war is reshaping Iranian society with Mariam Memarsadeghi, who researches civil society, democratic movements, and civic education inside Iran and Samira Gharaei, who reports on political developments and public sentiment across Iranian media.