Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat is a researcher with a focus on the political economy of China–Indonesia–Middle East relations. Based in Jakarta, he serves as the Director of the China-Indonesia Desk at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS). Additionally, Muhammad researches Indonesia–Middle East relations as a research affiliate at the Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore. He earned his bachelor's in international affairs, specializing in Middle Eastern and Islamic politics, from Qatar University. He further advanced his academic career with an M.A. in International Politics and a PhD in politics from the University of Manchester. Beyond his core roles, Muhammad holds affiliated positions at Busan University of Foreign Studies and has previously been an associate at the London School of Economics' IDEAS between 2022 and 2024.