Analysis Looking East: How Iran is leveraging Asia ties to offset Western pressure With sanctions still in place and nuclear talks stalled, Iran is using its SCO membership to forge economic and strategic ties across Central and South Asia. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Iran oil exports to China fall sharply amid US sanctions, weakened demand China is by far Iran’s largest customer for oil, snapping up around 90% of the Islamic Republic’s shipments. Iran
China expands visa-free policy to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait During a landmark summit in Malaysia, China announced an exemption for nationals from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait from the need for entry visas. China
Gulf states court China, ASEAN at landmark Malaysia summit: What to know The Gulf Cooperation Council’s summit with the Southeast Asia bloc was expanded to include China, bringing the emir of Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat to Malaysia. Qatar
Analysis Trump promises arms sales to the Gulf, but can he deliver? By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis With US-Saudi defense pact stalled, Trump eyes civilian nuclear deal By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Saudi's GCC-ASEAN summit: Toward an Asia minus China collective strategy The GCC and ASEAN nations find themselves sharing more strategic commonalities amid the current era of deglobalization, geopolitical instability and economic uncertainties. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis China's venture capital firms making inroads in Saudi Arabia, UAE Chinese venture capital investors have been pricing deals at more competitive rates and taking advantage of a widening vacuum left by Western rivals in the region. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
China's Huawei to invest $430M in North African cloud center, developer training The Chinese tech firm has been increasing its footprint in the Middle East and North Africa. North Africa
In China, Syria's Assad gets political fanfare, but no funding commitments Since Syria joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in January 2022, there have been no projects to show for it in the war-torn country. Syria
China builds reach by backing Middle East water projects In its latest financial deal, China has agreed to provide a new credit facility to expand Saudi Arabia's water generation and power portfolio. Legacy: Gulf
China’s Bomesc to build $220M Qatar offshore oil, gas facility for Italy’s Saipem The Tianjin-based engineering, procurement and construction company will build the compression facility for an oil and gas field off the coast of northern Qatar for industrial machine manufacturer Servizi Energia Italia. Qatar
Red carpet, honor guard and flowers: Syria’s Assad receives lavish welcome in China Assad will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during his first visit to China since 2004, potentially turning a page in Syria-China relations as Damascus seeks reconstruction help. Syria
China development financier AIIB opens first global office in UAE Bank officials expect that the new Abu Dhabi location will help extend their reach to finance sustainable development projects. United Arab Emirates
Al-Monitor/Semafor summit: UAE seeks ‘ironclad’ defense agreement from the US, Anwar Gargash says UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said growing ties with countries like China will not replace its reliance on the United States for security. Legacy: Gulf
China’s Alibaba to invest $2 billion in Turkey The news follows economic changes in Turkey as well as improving ties between Turkey and China. Turkey
