Even though China did not have a diplomatic relationship with Saudi Arabia until 1990, ties between the two countries have expanded rapidly since then. Energy products have formed the basis of a bilateral relationship that has, by and large, been of mutual benefit to both sides.

The Chinese have created an Arab Policy Paper, which sets out some of its goals in the region. Beijing also seeks to act as a peace-maker and possible arbiter in the Middle East.

The Sino-Indonesian relationship is complicated. While there is a mutual economic requirement to maintain bilateral relations, China’s geopolitical imperatives and Indonesia’s suspicions, coupled with its underlying ethnic tensions, combine to constrain it.

The United States and Indonesia share a healthy bilateral relationship. Given the current strains in the Asia-Pacific region and shared perceptions of a common aggressor, it is likely that the relationship will continue to strengthen.

Afghanistan and the US share a relationship that dates back to the early 1920s. The relationship has been predicated upon providing advantage to the US - a situation that seems likely to continue into the future.