The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has been attracting widespread global attention, with some Middle Eastern countries expressing their desire to be a part of  the organization, due to SCO's key role in global trade. Jim Stenman has more from Dubai. 

This year's Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit has commenced in Samrkand, Uzbekistan amid geopolitical turmoil. It's taking place at a time when the China-led bloc is attracting growing interest from the Middle East.

ALI AHMADI, Analyst, Gulf State Analytics: "All of the countries involved do see China as a rising power and a country that is potentially going to have a major role to play in the region and elsewhere."

And as the meetings continue in Uzbekistan – countries like Russia, China and Iran – not always seen in a positive light by the West – want to showcase an alternative world order of sorts – that could open up further new markets for oil rich countries in the Middle East.

ROBERT MOGIELNICKI, Senior Resident Scholar, Arab Gulf States Institute: "It is true that any strengthening of relations, especially in the defense military and diplomatic domain are likely to create some consternation in Washington, but at the same time, Middle Eastern countries and Gulf officials have perceived Washington to not exactly be the most dependable and consistent partner over the years."

One country that could immediately benefit from closer relations with SCO is Iran – already on track to become a full member – having struggled financially since the U.S. walked away from the nuclear deal – or JCPOA – in 2018 – which Western powers are trying to revive.

ALI AHMADI, Analyst, Gulf State Analytics: "Iran obviously has been looking to China for some time in an effort to water down the effect of sanctions. For the GCC countries, for countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, they understand that as the West goes more towards green energy, the major source of petroleum demand is going to be coming out of countries like India and China, but particularly China."

ROBERT MOGIELNICKI, Senior Resident Scholar, Arab Gulf States Institute: "There are a number of other avenues and mechanisms for Middle Eastern countries to enhance their economic relationships with countries like China or other countries that are associated with the SCO. There's also the GCC-China Free Trade Agreement that has been in the works for some time. If that agreement does come into being and materializes, that will certainly have economic benefits."

And while that could certainly unlock major opportunities for Gulf countries down the line – one element that may shift the world order away from the U.S. in the future is SCO's ambition to create an alternative to the dollar.

ROBERT MOGIELNICKI, Senior Resident Scholar, Arab Gulf States Institute: "Some countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia have flirted with the idea of pricing certain oil contracts in non dollar denominated currencies, that might down the roads benefit countries like China, Russia, and other countries, that are part of the SEO. For the time being, the dominance of the dollar is unlikely to change, allowing the U.S. to maintain its geopolitical and financial dominance, at least for now."

Jim Stenman, CGTN, Dubai.