China brokers agreement between two adversaries to restore diplomatic relations.

Entrenched on different sides on a host of issues, and in proxy wars – notably in Yemen, Syria and Lebanon – few would have believed even days ago that a rapprochement between the two was about to happen.

The United States was not involved in the deal in a region where it would see itself as the dominant power.

China brokered the Saudi-Iran negotiations – with the announcement of the successful outcome made in Beijing.

What are the implications of this agreement – in the region and beyond?

Presenter: Adrian Finighan

Guests: 

Foad Izadi – Associate professor at the University of Tehran

Hillary Mann Leverett – CEO at political risk consultancy Stratega in McLean, Virginia

Ibrahim Fraihat – Conflict resolution specialist, associate professor, Doha Institute, and author of, Iran and Saudi Arabia: Taming a Chaotic Conflict