Russia, India, and China in the Middle East

This chapter examines how emerging powers (EPs) interact with each other and whether they are cooperative or competitive. Using the case of the RIC group (Russia, India, and China), it does so through two lenses: Bilateral relationships between each other and within a region, specifically the Middle East. The findings indicate the following: One, efforts to find common ground at the bilateral level despite tensions; two, more individual than coordinated activity at the regional level; and three, limited contestation between the three. RIC behavior is then mapped over the expected roles of EPs, as supporters, shirkers, spoilers, and sources of an international system. It distinguishes between the global and regional roles of EPs, with Russia as a spoiler at both levels, India as a supporter of the global system and shirker regionally, and China as a source/supporter at the global level and shirker at the regional level. The chapter concludes with some areas for further areas for research and development.