News Analysis China’s growing ties with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) extends to military cooperation, arms sales, missiles, nuclear, and surveillance technology. Meanwhile, peacekeeping and counterterrorism missions have become an excuse to deploy Chinese troops and weapons to the region. “We will deepen China-Arab military cooperation and exchange. We will strengthen exchange of visits of military officials, expand military personnel exchange, deepen cooperation on weapons, equipment and various specialized technologies, and carry out joint military exercises,” according to Beijing’s 2016 “Arab Policy Paper.” The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claims that China is doing more to preserve peace and stability than the United States. Through participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions, the CCP is able to place PLA (People’s Liberation Army) troops in North Africa and the Middle East. The CCP security engagement with the region began in 2006, when China sent U.N. peacekeepers to Lebanon. In 2008, the PLA …