China has renewed its proposal to convene an international meeting of all parties to the nuclear deal with Iran (JCPOA), including the United States, with the goal of discussing the US return to the agreement. On the eve of the first telephone conversation between the US and Chinese Presidents (February 11, 2021), the special US Envoy for Iran issue and the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister considered ways to coordinate moves on the JCPOA. Active mediation on the Iranian nuclear issue may be part of a broader Chinese policy aimed at...
Many countries are looking to the COVID-19 vaccines with the hope of overcoming the pandemic and beginning economic recovery. While the drug companies in the West operate as independent for-profit businesses, in China the government directs the research and development efforts of both state and privately owned companies, and uses them as a tool in its policy through official visits in the international theater, cooperation agreements, commitments to supply vaccines, and the provision of loans and other financial assistance. The...
China’s economic involvement in Israel has expanded over the past decade, as Chinese companies have invested in a host of Israeli firms, primarily in high-tech fields. An in-depth and comprehensive examination of this topic shows that Chinese investments in Israel reached a peak in 2018, after which they began to wane. There are several reasons for this: changes in priorities in China, the consequences of the global coronavirus pandemic, and perhaps also a change in the investment climate in Israel with regard to Chinese companies...
The strategic assessment for Israel for 2021 is shaped by significant uncertainty in three principal areas: the level of success in coping with COVID-19; the modus operandi and policies of the new administration in the United States; and the political developments in Israel. The current assessment is based on a broader conception of national security, which places greater weight than in the past on the domestic arena and on threats to internal stability, social cohesion, values, and fabric of life. This of course does not detract...
The strategic assessment for Israel for 2021 is shaped by significant uncertainty in three principal areas: the level of success in coping with COVID-19; the modus operandi and policies of the new administration in the United States; and the political developments in Israel. The current assessment is based on a broader conception of national security, which places greater weight than in the past on the domestic arena and on threats to internal stability, social cohesion, values, and fabric of life. This of course does not detract...
If 2020 is remembered for the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 stands to be the year of the vaccine. Nonetheless, the coronavirus will continue to shape the world, and the likely scenario is a gradual decline of the pandemic, marked by sporadic outbreaks. In the second half of the year, the effects of the vaccine will be felt, the Biden administration will settle in, and there may be a new government in Israel. The international system remains polarized, even as each country focuses on its individual problems. The Biden...
The European Union was careful not to identify with the United States in the struggle against China waged by President Trump on the economic front, against China’s trade policy, and on the cognitive front in the demand to investigate and blame China for not preventing the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, European Union leaders did not hide their concerns about Chinese aggression in the economic sphere, and even less so their criticism of China’s policy on human rights and minority rights. The election of Joe Biden as...
The heads of the European Union and the President of China recently announced the conclusion of a comprehensive investment agreement, reached after seven years of negotiations. For China, this agreement joins the free trade agreement in Asia (RCEP), the strengthening of bilateral relations with African countries, and declarations calling for the preservation of the nuclear agreement with Iran and the promotion of regional dialogue in the Gulf. A Chinese decision to accelerate negotiation processes and sign economic agreements, along...
The strategic message that was the legacy of former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping to keep a low profile, move forward quietly, and be patient, changed under Xi Jinping’s leadership, and especially during the four years of the Trump administration. Deng’s policy was succeeded by the “wolf warrior diplomacy,” reflected in China’s greater extremism in statements against other countries, aggressive reactions to criticism, and punishment of countries that it believes harm its interests. It is an open question whether in...
The United States Director of National Intelligence recently cast China as the number one threat to the US, described Beijing’s modus operandi, and called on Washington’s allies to wake up to the challenge and respond appropriately. For its part, Israel should enhance its intelligence resources dedicated to China and develop an independent and well-founded estimate of the challenges it presents to Israel, drawing on lessons learned around the world; identify gaps in Israel’s current response; strengthen the risk management...
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), signed under the auspices of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has created the largest free trade zone in the world, which includes nearly a third of the world’s population and global GNP. China appears to be the winner among the member countries, particularly given the absence of the United States from the framework and India’s decision to withdraw from the negotiations. Considering the changes to the world map, at least economically, and the...
In the first half of his forthcoming term, President-elect Joe Biden will almost certainly concentrate on domestic affairs. Of primary urgency are the damages and economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the ideological divisions in US society, which were exacerbated during the Trump presidency. However, Biden will not be able to ignore foreign affairs, and uppermost in his priorities will be the competition with China for strategic, military, technological, and economic supremacy. Chinese President Xi Jinping has...
