Minnesota Governor Tim Walz suggests China as a potential 'impartial mediator' or 'ethically credible negotiator' for achieving peace in the Middle East.
With a Twist: Gov. Tim Walz Muses about China as the Potential Savior of the Middle East
In the midst of the Middle East's fiery oil field, former Democratic VP nominee Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., has floated a rather unexpected suggestion – that China could be the voice of "moral authority" now that Israeli strikes have shattered Iran's nuclear facilities and military leaders.
During a lively event called "What's Next: Conversations on the Path Forward," hosted by the Center for American Progress (CAP), Walz weighed in on the "escalatory" nature of the strikes. Speaking candidly, he pointed out that, in Iran's mind, retaliation is inevitable. He further warned that the Middle East is once again ablaze, with the flames spreading far and wide.
Shrugging off the United States' historic role as an arbitrator, Walz expressed doubts about America's ability to play a neutral role in de-escalating Middle Eastern tensions. He questioned whether we ever truly were a neutral force, suggesting that the "neutral actor" with the "moral authority" to lead negotiations in the region might just be the Chinese.
While he didn't elaborate on why China would step up to this role, Walz's remarks appeared to imply that major Western powers like the U.S. lack the neutrality necessary to broker peace in this volatile region. It's possible he believes China could be an appealing choice due to its perceived distance from the Middle Eastern conflicts[2][5].
Walz's own ties to China have come under scrutiny, with his voiced support for a medical research institute in Minnesota that has collaborated with a firm labeled by the Pentagon as a "Chinese military company" and with Chinese officials with questionable connections to the CCP[1].
Interestingly, CEO Neera Tanden of CAP, who hosted the conversation with Walz, has her own ties to China. Reports have revealed that Tung Chee-hwa, a top CCP official, is a close associate of CAP founder John Podesta, a former official from the Obama and Clinton administrations who held a senior advisory role in the Biden administration for clean energy innovation and implementation[6].
Despite Walz's intriguing claims, Tanden responded sarcastically, suggesting that perhaps Pete Hegseth could be the Secretary of Defense instead[1].
Points of Interest:
- Walz and China: In addition to teaching and leading student trips to China, Governor Walz has been a vocal supporter of a medical research institute in his home state that has collaborated with Chinese officials with controversial ties to the CCP[1].
- The Center for American Progress (CAP) and China: CAP founder John Podesta has close ties with Tung Chee-hwa, a top CCP official[6].
- Tensions in the Middle East: The recent Israeli strikes on Iran have ignited a potential cycle of dangerous retaliation, as Iran has promised to hit back[3].
- John Podesta: A seasoned political figure, Podesta served in the Obama and Clinton administrations and played a key role in the 2016 presidential campaign[4].
[1] https://www.axios.com/walz-vietnam-belarus-canada-china-124b776e-d674-4531-822b-676d1e3eaffb.html[2] https://www.startribune.com/live-updates-war-in-ukraine/600122371/[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-forecasts-brighter-year-despite-new-sanctions-2021-12-29/[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Podesta[5] https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-vows-harsh-response-to-report-of-israel-striking-nuclear-sites/[6] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/john-podesta-tied-to-chinese-official-tung-chee-hwa
- Governor Tim Walz, in his remarks during the event "What's Next: Conversations on the Path Forward," hosted by the Center for American Progress (CAP), suggested that China might exhibit the needed "moral authority" to broker peace in the volatile Middle East, due to its perceived distance from regional conflicts.
- The proposal for China to step in as a mediator in Middle Eastern policy-and-legislation came at a time when the region is once again embroiled in general-news, following Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and military leaders.
