Year of Graduation

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Major

International Studies

Directing Professor

Dr. Ashleigh Breske

Abstract

The world has shifted and changed in the last decade, resulting in a new world order. The Middle East and North Africa region houses the Arab League, which has drawn the attention of several states throughout the world. China has shown particular interest in the region since its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first created in 2013. The BRI demonstrates how China has become more involved in the region and that these Arab states are more interested in what China has to offer compared to other countries. With the United States developing more nationalist policies, the European Union facing an economic crisis, and Russia’s focus on Ukraine, China is a better alternative. This thesis explores how the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) began and grew, examining how and why it has become more involved in the region, and the recent developments that led to a shift in regional geopolitics. To do so, four case studies are used from each region of the Arab League, exploring each of the facets of the BRI. Algeria’s study explores the effects of the Maritime Silk Road, Iraq is used as an example of the Digital Silk Road, Saudi Arabia reflects the impact of the Silk Road Economic Belt, and Djibouti utilizes the BRI as a whole. The resulting study demonstrates how the BRI is not inherently bad, but benefits many of these states over other international powers in the region.

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