Analysis Can Turkey become BYD’s back door to Europe as China reroutes EV strategy? Chinese electric car company BYD’s accelerating plans in Turkey may mark a turning point in its push into Europe as competition with Tesla shifts gears. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
UAE’s AD Ports Group opens first China office: What to know UAE-China trade relations are on the rise amid persistent US scrutiny over sensitive technology. United Arab Emirates
Iran, Russia launch naval drills ahead of trilateral nuclear talks with China Naval forces from Iran and Russia begin joint military drills in the Caspian Sea, reflecting deepening ties between the two countries that come just weeks after Iran’s 12-day war with Israel and the collapse of nuclear talks with the United States. Iran
Saudi Arabia's Diriyah awards Chinese firm $1.53B contract: What to know Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Company has awarded a major contract to China Harbour Engineering Company for the development of a Vision 2030 project. China
After 20 years, is Iraq making progress in bid to join WTO? Iraq first applied to join the WTO in 2004, but it made no considerable progress in the accession until its recent efforts to unify tariff and customs regulations between the federal and Kurdistan Region governments. Iraq
China, UAE hold air force drills in Xinjiang as defense relations grow The joint air force training exercise, dubbed Falcon Shield, began on Wednesday in the northwest Xinjiang province of China and will continue until late July. United Arab Emirates
China's BYD, world's biggest EV maker, invests $1B in Turkish plant In a post on the social media platform X on Monday, Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz confirmed that BYD is expected to begin production of vehicles in the new factory at the end of 2026 and that the facility will provide around 5,000 direct jobs. Turkey
Erdogan meets Xi, praises Turkey’s ties with China-led SCO bloc The Turkish president reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the China-led bloc. Turkey
Israel, China seek new accommodation as fissures grow over Gaza war As Israel and China navigate shifting geopolitical realities and differences over Gaza, they will need to continually reassess the boundaries of their partnership balancing between confrontation and cooperation. Israel
Does China have favorite in Iran's presidential election? The question of whether Iran's next president will maintain the country's current anti-West, anti-US position while pursuing improved relations with Beijing is foremost in China's mind. Iran
US cautious on Iran’s Bahrain frozen funds claims, warns of sanctions The official Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Monday that officials from Iran's and Bahrain’s central banks held a meeting on Sunday to discuss the release of Iran's “foreign exchange resources in Bahrain.” Bahrain
Saudi defense chief in China in bid for help with Houthis, boost military ties China was a major participant in the World Defense Show in Riyadh earlier this year, and Saudi Arabia signed $4 billion in arms deals with the People’s Republic in 2022. Saudi Arabia
Palestinian talks in China postponed as Hamas, Fatah trade blame Hamas and Fatah were due to meet in Beijing this month, following talks in the Chinese capital in April aimed at unifying the rivals amid the war with Israel. Palestine
NVIDIA to deploy AI across Middle East amid increasing US-China tech tensions It was reported in August 2023 that Washington planned to curb exports of some AI microchips from NVIDIA, as well as from Advanced Micro Devices, beyond China to some unspecified Middle Eastern countries. Qatar
Analysis Joining BRICS comes with limitations for Turkey: No alternative to NATO Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visits to China and Russia to attend the meeting of the BRICS groups of nations reignited never-ending debates about Turkey’s “turn away” from the West. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
With China-Iran ties on rollercoaster, Tehran can only grit its teeth, hang on Iran can get upset about China’s statement over Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, or they can express their anger at China, move on and focus instead on extracting the many economic and political benefits that they derive from their relationship with Beijing. Iran
