Analysis Saudi Arabia seeks to pressure China over Houthi arms without risking ties Saudi Arabia has signaled its displeasure with China and is pursuing quiet diplomatic pressure as it tries to balance mounting security concerns against its economic and strategic interests with Beijing. By Joyce Karam
Israeli president meets FM Wang Yi as reports link China to Iran’s military buildup Israeli President Isaac Herzog held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed topics ranging from economic and cultural cooperation to regional security. Israel
Pezeshkian to meet Putin as Iran looks to Russia for support: What to know Russia has reportedly provided Iran with military materiel, intelligence and diplomatic backing during the war. Iran
Analysis Why renewed Egypt-Ethiopia tensions are a problem for China For Beijing, the renewed Egypt-Ethiopia standoff is a zero-sum bind that threatens vital strategic interests on both sides of the Nile. By Joyce Karam
Analysis Why Trump-Xi summit did not move the China needle away from Iran By Yun Sun In Washington, DC, reporting on China-Middle East ties
Analysis As Iran’s grip on Hormuz weakens, what leverage does Tehran have left? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Despite fanfare, Xi shows Trump no sign of breaking with Iran By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
What does Saudi Arabia's CICA membership mean for its Asia pivot? The kingdom’s achievement of observer status in the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia follows similar moves with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS. Legacy: Gulf
Houthi attacks: Hundreds of ships to reroute from Red Sea, 44% cost spike for China The Red Sea is one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil, fuel and consumer goods, and shipments between Asia and Europe typically go through the sea and the Suez Canal. Yemen
US looks to China as Yemen’s Houthis ramp up Red Sea attacks Maritime attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have rattled energy markets and thrown Yemen's peace process in doubt. Legacy: Gulf
China's Nio electric vehicle maker gets $2.2 billion from UAE investment firm Nio is seeking money from the Middle East due to its financial struggles. Legacy: Gulf
China-Saudi Investment Conference begins in Beijing China is Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner and biggest customer of its primary commodity: crude oil. Saudi Arabia
Saudi PIF ups investment in China’s Alibaba-backed tech fund eWTP Arabia Capital invests in energy and technology start-ups across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Saudi Arabia
China, Egypt send jointly made MisrSat-2 satellite into orbit The MisrSat-2 was assembled inside Egypt with Chinese support, making it the first Egyptian-made satellite. Egypt
How significant is Aras corridor for Iran, Azerbaijan to gain Black Sea foothold? A railway agreement in October between Iran and Azerbaijan has given a major boost to the potential of establishing the Aras corridor, offering Tehran a potential inroad into the Black Sea. By Rahim Rahimov In Baku, reporting on Middle East-Caucasus ties
UAE-China ink multibillion-dollar deals as ties grow The United Arab Emirates and China are major trade partners and have strengthened cooperation in both finance and energy in recent months. Legacy: Gulf
What $6.9B China-Saudi currency swap means for Beijing’s efforts to globalize yuan China’s increasing economic influence and the high price of the US dollar, which has increased amid increasing interest rates to tame inflation, have led some economies to switch to cheaper yuan-denominated transactions. Saudi Arabia
China hosts Arab FMs, pushes ‘justice and fairness’ in Israeli-Palestinian conflict The Arab-Muslim delegation stopped in China on the first leg of a tour aimed at shoring up support for an immediate end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip. Palestine