Chinese President Xi Jinping’s three-nation tour in the Middle East heralds a shift from U.S. regime change to economic development, codifying China’s presence in the Middle East as a major energy buyer, major importer, infrastructure builder, and peace broker.

Mutual trust has been slow to evolve on the political front, but that continues to be key for any meaningful deal.

Wu Sike writes that stability in Egypt will hinge on finding a proper solution to the many issues plaguing the region, and that China-U.S. cooperation can help to bring about peace and stability in the Middle East.

In just a few weeks, Iraq has moved closer to a triangular disintegration. At the same time, the jihadists have advanced dramatically. Adverse scenarios cast a dark shadow over energy prices and growth prospects worldwide.