The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway China Decode: China’s Long Game in the Middle East
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Mar 17, 2026 
Dr. John Sfakianakis, chief economist at the Gulf Research Center, joins a sharp conversation on how the Iran conflict could pull U.S. focus from Asia and give Beijing more room to maneuver. They also dig into China’s fast-rising universities, the limits of their global appeal, and why BYD may see Formula One as a flashy next step.
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China Sees More Danger Than Gain In Iran
- John Sfakianakis says China gains little by entering the Iran conflict militarily and prefers to protect energy flows while staying in the background.
- He frames it as a long game: Beijing watches as Washington and Israel reshape the Middle East, rather than owning the risks itself.
China Has More Oil Cushion Than Past Crises
- China appears buffered from the oil shock better than before because it has large crude stockpiles and can substitute some gas demand with coal.
- John Sfakianakis says China may have three to four months of crude, making it less exposed unless Iran mines Hormuz and closures drag on.
China Has Big Stakes But Still Avoids The Front Line
- China has deep commercial stakes across the Middle East, yet John Sfakianakis still expects Beijing to avoid leading from the front even if tensions widen.
- He argues Gulf states are unlikely to fully join the war, leaving China to act mainly as observer, shipper, and occasional mediator.