Pentagon kicks off Bright Star war games in Egypt with 1,200 US troops US Central Command is seeking to firm up Washington’s sway with Egypt's leaders amid signs of instability, as China expands its own leverage over the strategic state that controls the Suez Canal. Egypt
Turkey’s Erdogan holds hands with Iran’s Pezeshkian, sparks online buzz A short video of Erdogan holding hands with Iran’s Pezeshkian at the SCO summit in China has captured global attention and stirred heated online reactions. Turkey
Iran’s Pezeshkian meets Xi in Beijing as China, Russia try to stall E3 sanctions Iran’s president met China's in Beijing after the SCO summit, which backed Iran’s against international sanctions and condemned US-Israeli strikes on the country earlier this summer. Iran
Egypt, Turkey ink investment deals with China on SCO Summit sidelines Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were in China for the two-day summit. Egypt
Analysis How India-China reset could ease competition over Middle East energy, trade By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis China walks tightrope on Iran as E3 trigger snapback sanctions By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Egypt secures $220M from domestic, Gulf, Chinese investors for solar project Foreign investment from three countries comes at a pivotal time in Egypt’s recovery from its worst financial crisis in over six decades. Egypt
In China, Saudi investment minister looks to build on $100B+ trade ties China is the kingdom’s largest trade partner, with bilateral trade between the two reaching roughly $107.5 billion in 2024. Saudi Arabia
China, UAE are transforming African economies, but on whose terms? China and the UAE are racing to get ahead in Africa’s economic future, each using a different playbook. United Arab Emirates
China expands auto investment in Egypt with $1B Suez tire plant Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said the project aligned with his country’s strategy to localize the automotive industry and manufacturing supply chains. Egypt
China envoy, Syria FM meet as Uyghur militant concerns slow reconstruction ties China and Syria remain at an impasse as Beijing remains wary of Uyghur militants’ integration into Syrian forces, while Syria, wary of alienating fighters who helped secure its recent military victories, seeks a compromise that won’t undermine the new government’s stability. Syria
Analysis As Kuwait modernizes military, will China rival US as key defense partner? Kuwait and China are finalizing a joint ammunition factory as the Gulf state maintains its longstanding US security alliance. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
China's oil imports fall 5.4% as Iranian flows recede from June highs US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Iran’s economy, clamping down on its oil sector, a critical component of the state budget. Iran
Iran’s president to visit Armenia, China: What to know Tehran is looking to strengthen ties with regional and Asian powers as Western sanctions continue to squeeze its economy. Iran
Chinese company to build Oman's first green hydrogen plant: What to know The plant in Duqm plans to produce 1 million metric tons of green hydrogen per year by 2030. China
As Trump warms to Syria, US pushes UN to lift Sharaa sanctions The move comes as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prepares to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next month. Syria
US Senate approves Joe Kent as US counterterrorism chief: What to know Kent’s nomination raised alarm among Democrats due to his history of promoting right-wing conspiracy theories and recent efforts to pressure a senior intelligence official to revise an assessment that contradicted Trump administration narratives. United States
China steps in to help electrify Iran’s railways: What to know Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref met with members of the Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce on Monday as ties grow. Iran
