China and Russia have been actively involved in Middle Eastern affairs, though their approaches and effectiveness in fostering peace have varied. 

China’s approach

• Focus on economic ties: China’s influence in the Middle East is heavily rooted in its strong economic relationships, particularly with major oil producers. This allows China to engage with various actors across the region, including both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as Iran and Saudi Arabia.
• Mediation efforts: China has demonstrated its willingness to mediate in the region, most notably with the China-brokered agreement that normalized relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March 2023.
• Advocacy for dialogue: China emphasizes diplomacy and negotiations to resolve conflicts, rejecting the use of force or pressure tactics.
• Limitations: While China has cultivated relationships across the board, its influence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, for instance, remains limited, and it has not yet achieved a major breakthrough in bringing the two sides to a settlement. 

Russia’s approach

• Opportunistic engagement: Russia often adopts an opportunistic strategy in the Middle East, seeking to advance its interests and capitalize on regional instability.
• Military involvement: Russia’s military presence and involvement in conflicts like the Syrian civil war have shaped the geopolitical landscape in certain areas.
• Arms sales and support: Russia has strong ties with certain states, such as Iran, providing them with military and technical support.
• Limitations: Russia’s actions are often viewed with skepticism, with some observers suggesting that it prioritizes its own gains over the broader goal of regional stability. Its alignment with certain factions, such as Hamas, further complicates its position as a neutral peace broker. 

Potential and limitations of Russia-China cooperation

• Shared interest in limiting Western influence:Both China and Russia generally share a goal of reducing the dominance of the United States and other Western powers in the region.
• Divergent interests and tactics: Despite their shared interests, the two powers often pursue different objectives and employ distinct tactics, which can limit their cooperation. For example, Russia has deployed private military contractors to support Khalifa Hifter’s forces in Libya, a move that impacted China’s commercial ties with the rival Government of National Accord.
• Challenges of mediation: While China has shown some success in mediating specific disputes, both China and Russia have struggled to address core conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian issue due to various factors, including a lack of deep leverage or a reluctance to become fully invested in the complex negotiation process. 

In conclusion, both China and Russia are significant players in the Middle East, and their involvement can influence the prospects for peace in the region. However, their approaches, priorities, and levels of influence differ. While China emphasizes dialogue and economic cooperation, Russia’s strategy is often more opportunistic and focused on military engagement. Their cooperation, though present, is also subject to their individual interests and limitations.