Jonathan Fulton

I spent decades at Columbia. I’m withdrawing my fall course due to its deal with Trump | Rashid Khalidi The university’s draconian policies and new definition of antisemitism make much teaching impossible

I spent decades at Columbia. I’m withdrawing my fall course due to its deal with Trump | Rashid Khalidi www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The Olander Bump in my book sales, coming up!

China–Middle East Analysis and the Future of China–middle East Studies.

From Dialogues to Deals: Egypt’s Calculated Dance with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Also: WSJ on China's decreasing energy imports, China-Russia-Iran meeting in Tehran, SCZone investment tour in China, Saudi competing in renewables

My latest newsletter looks at Egypt as an SCO dialogue partner, among other issues: open.substack.com/pub/chinamen...

Li Qiang's Cairo visit marks deepening China-Egypt ties Chinese Premier Li Qiang paid a two-day visit to Egypt last week, stopping in Cairo on his way home from the Brics+ summit in Brazil

My latest column from AGBI, looking at Li Qiang's visit to Egypt: www.agbi.com/opinion/trad.... #china #egypt

A fun birthday gift: @keeganmatheson.bsky.social’s great new addition to the @bluejays.com library.

Air taxis and freight trains Also: Chinese expansion in Egypt's SCZone, big contract for CHEC in Saudi, coverage of SCO Ministers' Meeting

A roundup of recent developments in China-MENA relations, including a potential eVTOL deal with the UAE and an expansion of China's presence at SCZone in Egypt: open.substack.com/pub/chinamen...

Analysis: China was on the sidelines of the Iran-Israel war. That’s just where it wanted to be | CNN Weeks after his country was battered by waves of Israeli strikes and the US bombed three of its prized nuclear facilities, Iran’s foreign minister came to a gathering of regional diplomats in China th...

I spoke with CNN for this piece on Iranian FM Araghchi's recent trip to Tianjin for the SCO Ministers' Meeting:
www.cnn.com/2025/07/18/c...

If there’s a better way to write a column I haven’t found it yet.

China’s Middle East Math There was widespread disappointment in Iran that China didn't do more to help Tehran during the recent 12-day war with Israel and the United States. Beijing, for its part, offered robust rhetorical an...

I had fun talking with Eric Olander again for his must-listen China in the Global South Podcast. We discussed my new book and China-MENA in general. Always enjoy doing this show. Have a listen, subscribe and support the work Eric and his team is doing. chinaglobalsouth.com/podcasts/pod...

Photo Ops and Paper Partnerships: Iran’s Lonely Road to Tianjin Also: antidumping disputes between GCC & PRC; coverage of Li's Egypt visit

FM Araghchi is in China for the SCO Ministers Meeting. I wrote about Iran's minimal expectations here: open.substack.com/pub/chinamen...

1/I’ve obtained a farewell note a person in the human rights bureau sent out to his colleagues after being fired from the State Department today. A few tidbits from it:

Got some fantastic summer reading in the mail today - recent books by @valinasr.bsky.social and @elhamfakhro.bsky.social.

China’s Cairo Visit: What Li Qiang’s Trip Signals for Egypt, the Arab League, and the Region Also: Iran and BeiDou satellites, a joint energy transition fund with Oman

Key takeaways from Li's visit to Egypt, as well as Iran and BeiDou satellites and a joint energy transition fund for Oman. Subscribe to the newsletter to get up to speed on China-MENA.
open.substack.com/pub/chinamen...

The Israel-Iran War and Chinese Status in the Middle East Ever since the Israel-Iran cease fire took hold, I’ve been seeing a steady stream of articles with a focus on China’s diminished status in the Middle East, as if suddenly everyone in MENA collectively...

open.substack.com/pub/chinamen...

Building the Belt and Road Initiative in the Arab World: China's Middle East Math This book analyses the expansion of Chinese power and influence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects undertaken in the “1+ 2+ 3 cooperation patter...

www.routledge.com/Building-the...

A 20% discount for my book, Building the Belt and Road Initiative in the Arab World: China's Middle East Math. Promo code 25AFLY1. Order via the link in the comment.

A special moment that never gets old, unboxing a new book after years of work on it. Please help me welcome The Second Emancipation: Nkrumah, Pan-Africanism, and Global Blackness at High Tide.

Li Qiang arrives in Egypt, German aircraft lasered in Red Sea by Chinese military, China-Saudi academic cooperation agreement signed Premier Li Qiang has arrived in Egypt after representing China at the BRICS+ summit in Brazil.

open.substack.com/pub/chinamen...

Israeli concerns about PRC surveillance via smart devices, Chinese companies in Egypt registering to use renminbi in local transactions, Wang Yi comments on Iran and Israel China’s big brother is watching: How Chinese smart devices are spying inside Israel - YNet. Ynet published along and informative article on Chinese devices in Israel, and the issues brought up through...

open.substack.com/pub/chinamen...

Shukran!

Building the Belt and Road Initiative in the Arab World: China's Middle East Math This book analyses the expansion of Chinese power and influence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects undertaken in the “1+ 2+ 3 cooperation patter...

Today is Book Day! My latest, Building the Belt and Road Initiative in the Arab World: China's Middle East Math, is out in the world now. www.routledge.com/Building-the...

The myth of Chinese leverage in Iran Also: today is Book Day!

In my newsletter today I wrote about the myth of Chinese leverage in Iran - the idea that Beijing's economic importance results in political influence with Tehran. Have a read, share, subscribe: open.substack.com/pub/chinamen...

China, Iran and the Middle East — After Trump's Airstrikes Podcast Episode · China In Context · 07/01/2025 · 41m

I talked China-Gulf with Duncan Hewitt for his China in Context podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...

Building the Belt and Road Initiative in the Arab World: China's Middle East Math This book analyses the expansion of Chinese power and influence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects undertaken in the “1+ 2+ 3 cooperation patter...

Fun! My book has a landing page now, and starts shipping this week. www.routledge.com/Building-the...

The Spirit of Tehran While Israel’s bombings have shaken the Iranian capital and killed hundreds of civilians, its people have displayed care, resilience and quiet determination to carry on

NEW: Israel’s bombings have shaken Tehran, upended its balance and killed hundreds of civilians. The sociologist Asef Bayat reflects on his hometown and its people’s spirit of care, resilience and quiet determination to carry on, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social.

newlinesmag.com/first-person...

What China’s response to the Iran-Israel conflict says about its Gulf strategy Israel’s attack on Iran is reshaping the strategic landscape in the region. Consequences for governments and businesses are still unclear

My latest column for AGBI: www.agbi.com/opinion/trad...

The stories we miss I have a full house, with in-laws visiting for the week, so I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get a post out next, making a quiet Sunday morning the best time to get a quick one out.Thanks for reading...

In my newsletter today I highlight some of the China-MENA stories that have flown under the radar while the world's attention is focused on conflict between Israel and Iran: open.substack.com/pub/chinamen...

This is a great book. Highly recommend for fantastic insights into politics and economy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Very happy to announce that Todd Hall and I have just signed the advance contract for a new @universitypress.cambridge.org Element book in the Global China series.

Stay tuned 😎