Interviewee: Prof. Richard Falk
Organization/Publisher: Global Justice in the 21st Century
Date/Place: April 8, 2021/ California, USA
Type of Literature: Interview
Word Count: 1,800
Keywords: Iran, China, US, BRI, JCPOA, Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Brief:
The renowned professor of international law discusses the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Iran, which was sealed while reports on unofficial engagement between Tehran and Washington came to the fore amid efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — the international agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. According to Prof Falk, the $400 billion agreement between the countries for the next 25 years is a major boost for China’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which also meets Beijing’s energy needs as Tehran’s sanctions-hit crude oil will be supplied deep inside China. The deal comes amid chances of rapprochement where the JCPOA is revived which essentially means Tehran and Washington reconciling and sanctions being lifted. The professor points out that the deal essentially tells the US that Beijing is not isolated while it gives leverage to China in larger Middle East geographies. It also exposes Washington’s long-arm coercive and militaristic approach, says the professor while he argues that China’s policy is of non-interference in internal issues, no violation of sovereignty but based on a win-win situation. He praises Chinese competitive skills that “expose the weakness of current US hegemonic approaches to world order, and specifically in the Middle East.” Professor Falk also refers to China’s reluctance in the past to engage with Iran but now reflects a “reaction to the wider political context.” China is prepared to demonstrate its firmness and independence in relation to the United States, he adds, terming it a “warning” to the Biden presidency. Since Iran is connected to Iraq and Syria via land routes, the professor explains that a vast network of infrastructure projects under the BRI will benefit vulnerable countries as it “would strengthen the temptation to preserve political independence in Iraq and Syria.”
By: Riyaz ul Khaliq, CIGA Non-Resident Research Associate
