While most countries welcome the Chinese investment and inclusion in Beijing's trading network, there is mounting concern as to whether it will actually be able to pull off such a large, complex undertaking. Shannon Tiezzi, managing editor of The Diplomat, has been following the development of the "One Belt, One Road initiative," particularly in Africa. She joins Eric & Cobus -- in the podcast above -- to discuss the global implications of OBOR and its impact in Africa.

There has been plenty of discussion about the impact of the persistent low oil price on economic performance, employment, and political stability. Less discussed has been its impact on foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Riyadh's decision to execute Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr at the start of this month, the Iranian response, and the political fallout have raised the Middle East's sectarian temperatures to the highest level since the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.

Xi Jinping is known for a lot of things, but tightrope walking is not one of them. This week however he has embarked on a tour of the Middle East that has seen him stop in both Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Given the conflicting interests and lack of military experience on the part of the coalition's members, there is ample reason to conclude that this alliance lacks substance.