Chinese Missile Sales to the Middle East

Date of Graduation

Summer 2004

Degree

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Department

Defense and Strategic Studies

Committee Chair

Jack Crouch

Abstract

China's missile sales to the Middle East pose a strategic threat to the United States. Chinese missile sales throughout the 1980s were economically beneficial to China. This is no longer the case; currently China financially subsidizes many of its sales. Through a close examination of Chinese missile sales, a better understanding of China's strategic interests in the Middle East can be achieved. This thesis will examine Chinese missile sales to the Middle East, the strategic advantage from these sales, the potential for instability in the Middle East resulting from the sales, and consequences to the United States of China's influence in the region. Steps to stop the sale of ballistic and cruise missiles through international agreements have been unsuccessful. New means will be required to stop Chinese proliferation of missiles to the Middle East. These include stronger international agreements, economic sanctions, tighter export controls, the Proliferation Security Initiative, and missile defense.

Keywords

China, proliferation, Middle East, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles

Subject Categories

Defense and Security Studies

Copyright

© Rachel E. Hollrah

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

Share

COinS