Research

My research focuses on research focuses on state alignment strategies, particularly how Middle Eastern and North African countries navigate the U.S.-China competition. In my research, I use a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods.

INTERESTS

Great Power Competition, Foreign Policy, Alliances, Strategic Partnerships, External Influence, Trade Dependence, and Military Sales.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

 

  • Dana Abu-Haltam. 2026. “Navigating Great Power Competition: Jordan’s Response to US-China 5G Rivalry.” Asian Perspective. [paper]
  • Hwang, Hwang, Liao, and Abu-Haltam. 2026.  “Does Health Aid Reduce Interstate Hostility? The Cases of the U.S. and China”. Asian Survey. [paper]

  • Dana Abu-Haltam. 2025.“How to Politely Say No: Jordan’s Indirect Bandwagoning Behavior towards US-Chinese Competition.” Foreign Policy Analysis. [paper]

  • Dana Abu-Haltam. 2025. “Where to Throw the Hook? Chinese Strategic Partnership Selection and Its Effectiveness in Achieving Influence.” Chinese Political Science Review. [paper]

  • Dana Abu Haltam. 2020. “The Chinese and United States Interests in Taiwan.” Journal of Strategic and Military Studies/ Eighth Issue. ISSN 2626-093X.
  • Dana Abu Haltam. 2020. “One Belt One Road Initiative: A Win-Win Partnership.“ Journal of Afro-Asian Studies, Seventh Issue. ISSN 2628-6475.

Other Publications

 

  • Dana Abu-Haltam. 2026, “Foreign Policy and Economics: How Arab Public Opinion Correlates with Global Leaders’ Actions.“ Arab Barometer. [Blog]
  • Dana Abu Haltam. 2025. “Dataset for “Where to Throw the Hook? Chinese Strategic Partnership Selection and Its Effectiveness in Achieving Influence”” Harvard Dataverse, V1 [dataset]
  • Dana Abu-Haltam. 2025. “Arab Views on the United Nations: Navigating Conflict, Corruption, and Credibility”. Arab Barometer. [Blog]

R&R and Under Review

  • “Bridging Divides: Insights from US Mediation in the Lebanese-Israeli Delimitation Crisis for Future Engagements Between Greece and Turkey.” (With Krista Wiegand). Under Review
  • “Tri-Alignment: Bahrain’s Survival Strategy Amid an Era of Global Power Shifts”. Under Review
  • “Why Sanction and Simultaneously Provide Foreign Aid?” (With Wonjae Hwang and Tianjing Liao). R&R
  • "BRICS in the Maghreb" (With Ahmet Ergurum). Under Review
  • “The UAE’s AI Strategy amid Intensifying U.S.–China Technological Competition”. Under Review

Working Papers

  • “Beyond Survival: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Policy Toward U.S. – China Competition”
    ◊ Winner, 2025 Gulf Studies Graduate Paper Award, Gulf Studies Symposium, Gulf International Forum, Georgetown University, 2025.
  • “How Do Middle Powers Navigate Great Power AI and Technological Rivalries?” (With Lawrence Rubin and Ahmet Ergurum)
  • “Mediation as Strategy: Comparing Saudi and Chinese Roles in Regional Conflict Resolution” (With Tingyi Wang and Rufei Li)