China and the U.S Grand Strategy in the West Asia 2008- 2024

Document Type : Original Article

Author

PhD in International Relations, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The grand strategy of the United States has emerged under the influence of regional and trans-regional factors that create opportunities or threats in the international system. Accordingly, the present study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach to examine China’s role in the U.S. grand strategy in West Asia during the period from the Obama to the Biden administrations. The central question is: How has China influenced the U.S. grand strategy in West Asia from 2008 to 2024? China’s political, economic, and military-technological actions have prompted the U.S. to form alliances aimed at countering the threat of China’s influence in strategic regions, including West Asia. In this context, China serves as a significant trans-regional variable pushing the U.S. toward an offshore balancing strategy in West Asia, challenging American interests politically, diplomatically, economically, and militarily through multifaceted initiatives. The majority of U.S. alliance-building efforts in West Asia focus on blunting and preventing China’s intervention and influence, seeking to dissuade its allies—namely the Gulf Cooperation Council members—from aligning with China. Tactics of the offshore balancing strategy include leading from behind and the use of liberal democratic norms, alliance formation, simultaneous emphasis on threat balancing to maintain power equilibrium, and efforts to buck passing to regional partners and allies in shaping the desired security order. This qualitative study employs a documentary research method and utilizes library research techniques for data collection and analysis.

Keywords

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References

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American Strategic Studies
Volume 5, Issue 2 - Serial Number 18
Serial number 18- Summer 2025
July 2025
Pages 179-201

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 January 1404
  • Revise Date: 30 January 1404
  • Accept Date: 05 February 1404
  • Publish Date: 22 August 2025

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