Open Access E-Book on Red Sea Region

 The Doha, Qatar-based Middle East Council on Global Affairs published in February 2026 an open access E-book titled "The Red Sea: Divided by Water, United by Opportunities" edited by Dalia Ghanem, Mehari Taddele Maru, Luigi Narbone, and Carlo Palleschi.

This book provides a comprehensive analysis that breaks down the silos between Middle Eastern countries (MECs) and the Horn of Africa (HOA).  It argues that it is impossible to understand the region's trajectory by looking at one side of the Red Sea in isolation and examines interactions between the MECs and the HOA.  It seeks to align visions and identify concrete steps toward realizing the vision of a region that, though divided by waters, is united by opportunities.  

Africa's Place in China's Evolving Grand Strategy

 The Journal of Contemporary China posted on 8 April 2025 an article titled "Testbed or Thoroughfare? Africa's Place in China's Evolving Grand Strategy" by Benjamin Barton and Padraig Carmody.

The article looks at Africa's place in China's global geo-strategy.  It evaluates China's strategic-relational approach to foreign policy in the context of Africa's evolving position in China's global geostrategic engagements.  

China's Global Development Initiative and Navigating the Geopolitical Environment

 The East Asia Forum published on 29 December 2023 a commentary titled "Can China's GDI Navigate Geopolitics and Deliver Results?" by Sen Gong, Zhejiang University.  

As of August 2023, more than 200 "small and beautiful" (Beijing's new development mantra) projects had been carried out in the name of China's Global Development Initiative (GDI).  The author points out the challenges for GDI in navigating a complex geopolitical environment but is generally optimistic about its future.  

Has China Reached Peak Influence in Africa?

 The Hungarian Journal of African Studies published in 2023 an article titled "Post-Peak China in Africa?" by Padraig Carmody, Trinity College Dublin.

The author argues that it appears Chinese lending to Africa has now peaked and is in precipitous decline.  Other indicators of economic engagement have also decreased and other powers are also now vigorously contesting for space on the continent.  This paper examines whether China has reached "post-peak in Africa" and the reconfiguration of strategies of influence.

China in the Middle East and North Africa

Euro-Mediterranean Research Dialogue Advocacy published in July 2020 a major study titled "The Role of China in the Middle East and North Africa. Beyond Economic Interests?"

The study examines how the relationship between China and the Middle East and North Africa changed over time and in what ways it has evolved since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative.  It has chapters dealing with the historical context, the economic relationship, political, military, and cultural engagement, and the geopolitical implications of China's presence in the Middle East and North Africa.

One Belt, One Road: China's Great Leap Outward

The European Council on Foreign Relations published on 10 June 2015 a series of analyses titled "One Belt, One Road: China's Great Leap Outward."  There are contributions by Antoine Bondaz, a PhD candidate at Sciences Po, David Cohen, former editor of the China Brief, Francois Godement, researcher at the Asia Centre, Agatha Kratz, editor of China Analysis, and Raffaello Pantucci, Royal United Services Institute.

China's One Belt, One Road initiative is a combination of a land-based Silk Road Economic Belt and a sea-based 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.  The authors, drawing on Chinese language sources, identify a series of challenges for Beijing's ambitious new Silk Roads.  Based on these analyses, it is  not at all clear where Africa fits into this initiative, including the Maritime Silk Road.