Publication

This paper examines the potential risks associated with continued, US-supported provocative action by anti-Chinese militants in Syria. In light of the August 2016 attack on the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, the author analyzes the growing power of Syria-based Chinese Uyghur groups. Their cooperation with US and allied forces against the Syrian army has enabled anti-Chinese militants to carry out targeted attacks against China and its interests abroad. According to the author, China has since moved to drastically alter its foreign security posture in order to address this growing threat by amending its non-interference policy. Given this development, the author thus warns that US efforts to ‘deter’ China through the support of these militant groups serve as dangerous provocation.