The China Africa Project ran a 30 minute podcast on 11 February 2016 titled "China's Risky Gamble to Become a Major Player in the Middle East and North Africa" with Lina Benabdallah, PhD candidate at the University of Florida.
Benabdallah summarized the results of President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt and then responded to questions about China's increased engagement in the region. In the background was the question whether China has the experience and understanding to master the complicated politics of the Middle East.