Middle Eastern Alliance Shopping: Is the U.S. Still a Better Choice Than Russia or China?

The United States, China and Russia (at least until recently) stand out as contemporary superpowers able to support allies across the globe. What do each of these countries offer would-be client states and groups in the Middle East, and how do their approaches differ? Can Gulf Arab monarchies and states such as Iran, Israel, Egypt and Syria, or stateless groups such as the Kurds and Palestinians, shop around for the best patron? For those that have a choice, what costs come with choosing one patron over another?

About the Speaker: David Romano holds the Thomas G. Strong Chair in Middle East Politics at Missouri State University. His research focuses on nationalism, social movements, theories of peace and conflict, political violence, politicized Islam, Middle-East politics (with a special emphasis on Turkey, Iraq, the Kurds and other Middle Eastern minorities) and foreign policy.