Newsletter: China-Middle East

China, UAE and the balancing act

The UAE navigates growing ties with China while maintaining its strategic partnership with the US.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Newsletter: China-Middle East

Behind China’s $100M Gaza donation

Since China did not play a major role in ending the fighting, stepping up humanitarian aid is a useful bridge to the next stage: post‑conflict reconstruction.

By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll

Analysis

Iran’s China pivot deepens as Tehran's thaw with Saudi Arabia gets reality check

At a Tehran trilateral meeting between China and Saudi Arabia, Iranian officials performed careful diplomatic choreography, seeking Beijing’s backing to revive the sluggish rapprochement with Riyadh and to reposition the Islamic Republic within shifting postwar dynamics.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

China, UAE to hold third air force drills as defense ties warm: What we know

China and the United Arab Emirates are further deepening their defense and military ties with a third round of aerial exercises.

United Arab Emirates

Newsletter: China-Middle East

China and Iran: It’s business as usual

Less than six months after the Israeli and US airstrikes inside Iranian territory, Beijing’s ties with Tehran have not wavered despite US sanctions and Iran’s nuclear and economic setbacks from the war.

By Joyce Karam

Analysis

Beyond Boeing and Airbus: China’s C919 courts Gulf as aviation power dynamics shift

Despite strong interest in Chinese jets, skepticism remains about China’s ability to match Western standards of technology and reliability.

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Newsletter: China-Middle East

Why MBS' lavish US visit is not Saudi realignment away from China

For Riyadh, engagement with Beijing is not merely transactional — it is part of a multipolar strategy that enhances Saudi leverage, accelerates Vision 2030 ambitions and reduces its exposure to the unpredictability of US policy.

By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll

Syria FM visits China as Beijing presses Damascus on Uyghur fighters, TIP

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani pledged that his country would not allow foreign fighters to “exploit its territory to carry out activities” that would harm Chinese security.

Syria

Newsletter: China-Middle East

Sharaa-Trump meeting a mixed bag for China

The Syrian president's meeting with President Donald Trump underscored Damascus' formal shift toward Washington after decades of being allied with the Soviet Union and then Iran’s "Axis of Resistance" while the Assad dynasty was still in power.

By Joyce Karam

Egypt's foreign reserves exceed $50B mark for first time: What to know

The stronger reserve position signals that Egypt has largely emerged from its worst economic crunch in decades.

Egypt

Newsletter: China-Middle East

China getting ahead in the Gulf

China’s Vice President Han Zheng is visiting Saudi Arabia and Kuwait this week before traveling to Qatar to attend the Second World Summit for Social Development Nov. 3-5.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Newsletter: China-Middle East

Beijing, Damascus breaking the ice

For months, Beijing has kept Syria at arm’s length, but that may be changing. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani’s planned trip to China next month suggests a potential thaw.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East