Saudi PIF eyes $27B Japan portfolio as kingdom courts Asian investment Saudi Arabia is strengthening economic ties with Asian countries as it pursues its economic transformation goals. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
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
Analysis Iran's rebuke of Russia, China exposes cracks in its 'look to East' strategy Pezeshkian comments revived a long-running debate over the fragility of Iran's geopolitical alignments and the asymmetry built into its relations with Moscow and Beijing. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
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
Analysis Saudi Arabia diversifies with new China naval drills, but military remains Western-centric By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Chinese oil companies fill void in Iraq As major Western oil companies reconsider their positions in Iraq, China is seizing the opportunities offered by their departure. Iraq
Is China ready to intervene in Nile dam crisis? Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry briefed his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the latest developments in the Grand Ethiopian Dam crisis — a move that observers believe is aimed at pushing Beijing to pressure Addis Ababa on the dam negotiations. Egypt
Biden administration not trading Syrian oil for aid corridors with Moscow The Biden administration said Syrian oil is for the people of Syria, not for the United States. Syria
Bahraini prisoner's death from COVID-19 prompts protests Husain Barakat received China's Sinopharm vaccine but died anyway after contracting the coronavirus in prison. Legacy: Gulf
China-Iran cooperation goes slow in context of nuclear talks Beijing and Tehran are deepening ties across sectors, but progress will depend on the Vienna talks and Iran’s elections. Iran
Egypt turns to China for water advice amid Nile dam crisis Egypt is looking to China for expertise on water management as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis continues to threaten its water supply. Egypt
Egyptian-Chinese cooperation extends to education, space Egyptian-Chinese cooperation is growing, most recently evidenced by an agreement to teach the Chinese language in Egyptian schools. Egypt
Saudi Arabia, Iran held direct talks in bid to ease tensions Talks between the two countries were organized by Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Iraq
The Takeaway: Sudan not occupying Ethiopian territory, says Sudan’s ambassador to US Highlights of our exclusive interview with Nureldin Satti, Sudan’s ambassador to the United States; quick takes on Israel, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Kuwait and China; and Gaza’s shelter for stray dogs! Sudan
Kuwait, China seek to diversify via Belt and Road Initiative Kuwait has been working on diversifying its national economy in light of economic variables, so it has made efforts to bolster cooperative ties with several partners like China and others to serve Kuwait Vision 2035. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
China looms large in Turkey’s controversial waterway project Turkey is reportedly gearing up to partner with China in the construction of an artificial waterway parallel to the Bosporus, a project with likely implications for Russia and the United States in the Black Sea. Turkey
US aircraft carrier returns to Middle East as Suez Canal opens The USS Eisenhower arrives in the Gulf region as the Biden administration kicks off indirect talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Iran