STEVEN KUO: Beijing’s role as peacemaker could prove effective
It was announced last week that Iran and Saudi Arabia, the two goliaths in the Middle East that have been butting heads over the past few years, will re-establish diplomatic relations and have ambassadors reappointed within two months. Yet there are thorny issues between the two sides, not the least of which is the proxy war the two are fighting in Yemen.
Negotiations have been ongoing for some time, facilitated by Iraq. But it was interesting to see the two sides — represented by Saudi minister of state and national security adviser Musaed bin Al Aiban and Iranian Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Shamkhani — shaking hands in front of the press in Beijing together with Wang Yi, director of the office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party. These are the three countries’ most senior international affairs officials...
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