{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/633ebf6dfc7f5a0012acdc97/69c2b50e1861d127d51d3e47?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"China’s balancing act in the Middle East","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/633ebf6dfc7f5a0012acdc97/1774367895385-9d9e6ff5-9965-4756-86a3-88f081bd4ea3.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>China’s response to the war in Iran has been <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/china/2026/03/02/chinas-ice-cold-calculus-over-iran?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=drumtower&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">surprisingly muted.</a> The Chinese government has condemned American aggression but failed to come to the aid of its long-time ally. What does China’s approach reveal about its <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/china/2026/02/15/dubais-crazy-rich-chinese?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=drumtower&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">priorities in the region</a>?&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Hosts:</p><ul><li>Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower”</li><li>Corbin Duncan, <em>The Economist</em>’s global correspondent&nbsp;</li></ul><p>Topics:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Chinese foreign policy&nbsp;</li><li>Chinese investment in the Middle East&nbsp;</li><li>Chinese nationals in Dubai</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Transcripts of our podcasts are available via </em><a href=\"http://economist.com/podcasts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>economist.com/podcasts</em></a><em>.</em></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href=\"https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</em></a><em>.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our </em><a href=\"https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>FAQs page</em></a><em> or watch </em><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>our video</em></a><em> explaining how to link your account.</em></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"The Economist"}