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Bahrain

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Bahrain. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Manama

Head of State

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Head of Government

Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

Demonstrators step on pictures of UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a protest against the UAE’s support for the RSF in Sudan, on the day of the two-year anniversary of the conflict, on April 15 last year. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

UAE-Saudi rift over security threats push Arab mediators to act

Bahrain and Egypt are attempting to mend ties between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, after a public falling out in December.

6 hours ago

China-South Korea relations

Why South Korea poses a major challenge to China’s Middle East arms export drive

12 Dec 2025 - 6:48AMvideocam

Fashion

Fashion Trust Arabia 2025: which emerging designers won at this year’s awards?

24 Nov 2025 - 11:22AM

Israel-Gaza war

Trump says Gaza ‘war is over’ as he heads to Middle East on high-stakes peace trip

US president to address Israel’s Knesset and attend a peace summit in Egypt as Gaza captives are set to return, Palestinian prisoners go free.

13 Oct 2025 - 1:13PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up while boarding Air Force One, as he departs for Israel. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Trump’s Gaza deal forged by diplomacy blitz, help from Arab and Muslim allies

Senior US officials say Hamas viewed the hostages as a liability - while the US seized on regional fury with Israel to secure first phase deal.

10 Oct 2025 - 11:38AM

Middle East

Qatar joins Gulf neighbours in African funding game with US$103 billion pledge

Al-Mansour Holdings is looking to tap into six resource-rich sub-Saharan countries for minerals, oil and gas.

4 Sep 2025 - 3:17PMvideocam

Israel

UAE says Israeli annexation of West Bank ‘red line’ for Abu Dhabi

The UAE’s warning is its strongest criticism of Israel since the start of the Gaza war, and raises concerns about the Abraham Accords.

3 Sep 2025 - 8:54PM

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and a woman hold a map that shows the long-frozen E1 settlement scheme, that would split East Jerusalem from the occupied West Bank. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

Ukraine eases wartime ban on men aged 18-22 from travelling abroad

Since the start of the war, Ukrainian men have required authorisation to leave Ukraine to ensure enough conscripts to fight Russia’s invasion.

27 Aug 2025 - 8:13AM

Middle East

At least 76 dead, dozens missing after migrant boat sinks off Yemen

Yemeni security forces were conducting operations to recover a ‘significant’ number of bodies.

4 Aug 2025 - 4:45PM

Asean

Asian Angle | Why Malaysia seeks enduring Asean-GCC-China cooperation

Malaysia’s history as a global bridge drives this new trilateral forum, mirroring historical trade routes from China to the Middle East.

28 Jul 2025 - 10:05AMvideocam

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre, left) with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other officials at the Asean-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 27. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong stock exchange

Opinion | Hong Kong must spread its wings and look beyond mainland Chinese IPOs

If Hong Kong wants to lead Asia’s next capital markets cycle, it needs to become the top choice for the whole region, not just the mainland.

21 Jul 2025 - 9:34AMvideocam

Asean

Asean-GCC economic axis: the Global South’s answer to US volatility?

The two blocs’ emerging alliance looks to leverage each other’s strengths to buffer both regions from tariffs and US-China trade tensions.

22 Jul 2025 - 4:20PM

China-Middle East relations

China likely to strengthen backing for Iran as it looks to secure interests

With Iran ‘deeply tied’ to Chinese interests, analyst says it will be a balancing act for Beijing as it pursues regional stability.

10 Jul 2025 - 4:59PMvideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

How Israel-Iran war sent ripples of fear through the global maritime trade

The ghost of the 1980s ‘tanker war’ returned as Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz saw ships change course and freight rates soar.

30 Jun 2025 - 8:45AM

A tanker is seen ablaze in 1987 after being attacked by an Iranian warship as it approached the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AFP

Asean

Asian Angle | Are migrant workers the real glue cementing Asean-GCC ties?

The surprising truth behind the growing partnership lies in its people-to-people connections, remittances, the haj and financial mobility.

28 Jun 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Gulf Cooperation Council and China join hands for a group photo as they meet for a summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on May 27. Photo: Kyodo

Singapore

Singapore Airlines in Gulf flight freeze amid US-Iran escalation

British Airways also cancelled flights and diverted planes mid-journey after US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites raise fears of retaliation.

23 Jun 2025 - 4:53PMvideocam

Middle East

US bases in the Middle East under threat as Iran vows retaliation

The US has thousands of troops deployed on bases across the Middle East - and Iran says they could be legitimate targets.

23 Jun 2025 - 11:16AM

Middle East

Gulf states urge maximum restraint following US strikes on Iran

Home to multiple US military bases, Gulf leaders called for maximum restraint as strikes on Iran raise the possibility of wider war.

22 Jun 2025 - 11:03PM

US President Donald Trump attends the Saudi-US Investment Forum, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 13. Photo: Reuters

China travel

Explainer | 5 ways to enter mainland China without a visa

China has rapidly expanded its visa-free entry schemes in recent years to boost its tourism sector. Here is how the systems work.

16 Jun 2025 - 9:31PMvideocam

China travel

China expands visa-free entry

Passport holders from 46 countries can visit China for 30 days visa-free under Beijing’s loosened entry policy.

12 Sep 2025 - 12:53PM

US-China trade war

Xi-Trump phone call, inflation data and more

This week: Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump talk on the phone, factory activity contracts and government condemns EV price war. Next week: May trade and inflation numbers, visa-free travel for four Gulf states, Huawei smartphone debut and more.

6 Jun 2025 - 5:00PM

Asean

Opinion | Beyond trade, Asean-GCC-China summit heralds Asia’s cultural renaissance

The recent meeting in Kuala Lumpur transcended economics and geopolitics, representing a pivotal moment of inter-civilisational engagement.

1 Jun 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and China’s Premier Li Qiang at the Aseam-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26. Photo: Handout

China-Middle East relations

China offers visa-free travel to 4 Gulf countries following landmark meeting

Passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain will be allowed to stay for up to 30 days under year-long trial policy.

28 May 2025 - 8:15PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Arab leaders meet to craft counter to Trump’s Gaza plan

The US president has proposed to ‘take over’ the Palestinian territory and relocate its over 2 million residents to Egypt and Jordan.

22 Feb 2025 - 12:37PMvideocam

Fifa

Bahrain concerns taken ‘seriously’ after death threats since Indonesia game

Players have faced ‘insults, slander, threats and hacking operations’ online, Bahrain’s FA alleges, since last week’s 2-2 draw with Indonesia.

19 Oct 2024 - 4:16AM

Bahrain and Indonesia players clash after the match at the Bahrain National Stadium last week. Photo: Reuters

China-Middle East relations

President Xi to welcome Arab state leaders, with Palestine and trade on agenda

Leaders of Egypt, Bahrain, Tunisia and UAE to visit Beijing for meetings with Xi and ministerial conference of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum

27 May 2024 - 8:16PMvideocam

The Israel-Gaza war will be discussed when Arab state leaders visit China this week. Photo: EPA-EFE

Middle East

Opinion | Why can’t US and China jointly seek Middle East peace and still compete?

Although they support rival camps and pursue divergent geopolitical games, the US and China are also working for the same thing: the region’s security and stability.

25 Apr 2024 - 10:56AMvideocam

Middle East

Kuwait’s emir Sheikh Nawaf laid to rest in low-key funeral

Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 86, died on Saturday. Foreign leaders and envoys paid their final respects, including the Saudi crown prince and the rulers of Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan.

18 Dec 2023 - 1:05AM

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Bahrain

UAE-Saudi rift over security threats push Arab mediators to act

Bahrain and Egypt are attempting to mend ties between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, after a public falling out in December.

Why South Korea poses a major challenge to China’s Middle East arms export drive

Fashion Trust Arabia 2025: which emerging designers won at this year’s awards?

Trump says Gaza ‘war is over’ as he heads to Middle East on high-stakes peace trip

US president to address Israel’s Knesset and attend a peace summit in Egypt as Gaza captives are set to return, Palestinian prisoners go free.

Trump’s Gaza deal forged by diplomacy blitz, help from Arab and Muslim allies

Senior US officials say Hamas viewed the hostages as a liability - while the US seized on regional fury with Israel to secure first phase deal.

Qatar joins Gulf neighbours in African funding game with US$103 billion pledge

Al-Mansour Holdings is looking to tap into six resource-rich sub-Saharan countries for minerals, oil and gas.

UAE says Israeli annexation of West Bank ‘red line’ for Abu Dhabi

The UAE’s warning is its strongest criticism of Israel since the start of the Gaza war, and raises concerns about the Abraham Accords.

Ukraine eases wartime ban on men aged 18-22 from travelling abroad

Since the start of the war, Ukrainian men have required authorisation to leave Ukraine to ensure enough conscripts to fight Russia’s invasion.

At least 76 dead, dozens missing after migrant boat sinks off Yemen

Yemeni security forces were conducting operations to recover a ‘significant’ number of bodies.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Asian Angle | Why Malaysia seeks enduring Asean-GCC-China cooperation

Malaysia’s history as a global bridge drives this new trilateral forum, mirroring historical trade routes from China to the Middle East.

Opinion | Hong Kong must spread its wings and look beyond mainland Chinese IPOs

If Hong Kong wants to lead Asia’s next capital markets cycle, it needs to become the top choice for the whole region, not just the mainland.

Asean-GCC economic axis: the Global South’s answer to US volatility?

The two blocs’ emerging alliance looks to leverage each other’s strengths to buffer both regions from tariffs and US-China trade tensions.

China likely to strengthen backing for Iran as it looks to secure interests

With Iran ‘deeply tied’ to Chinese interests, analyst says it will be a balancing act for Beijing as it pursues regional stability.

How Israel-Iran war sent ripples of fear through the global maritime trade

The ghost of the 1980s ‘tanker war’ returned as Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz saw ships change course and freight rates soar.

Asian Angle | Are migrant workers the real glue cementing Asean-GCC ties?

The surprising truth behind the growing partnership lies in its people-to-people connections, remittances, the haj and financial mobility.

Singapore Airlines in Gulf flight freeze amid US-Iran escalation

British Airways also cancelled flights and diverted planes mid-journey after US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites raise fears of retaliation.

US bases in the Middle East under threat as Iran vows retaliation

The US has thousands of troops deployed on bases across the Middle East - and Iran says they could be legitimate targets.

Gulf states urge maximum restraint following US strikes on Iran

Home to multiple US military bases, Gulf leaders called for maximum restraint as strikes on Iran raise the possibility of wider war.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | 5 ways to enter mainland China without a visa

China has rapidly expanded its visa-free entry schemes in recent years to boost its tourism sector. Here is how the systems work.

China expands visa-free entry

Passport holders from 46 countries can visit China for 30 days visa-free under Beijing’s loosened entry policy.

Xi-Trump phone call, inflation data and more

This week: Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump talk on the phone, factory activity contracts and government condemns EV price war. Next week: May trade and inflation numbers, visa-free travel for four Gulf states, Huawei smartphone debut and more.

Opinion | Beyond trade, Asean-GCC-China summit heralds Asia’s cultural renaissance

The recent meeting in Kuala Lumpur transcended economics and geopolitics, representing a pivotal moment of inter-civilisational engagement.

China offers visa-free travel to 4 Gulf countries following landmark meeting

Passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain will be allowed to stay for up to 30 days under year-long trial policy.

Arab leaders meet to craft counter to Trump’s Gaza plan

The US president has proposed to ‘take over’ the Palestinian territory and relocate its over 2 million residents to Egypt and Jordan.

Bahrain concerns taken ‘seriously’ after death threats since Indonesia game

Players have faced ‘insults, slander, threats and hacking operations’ online, Bahrain’s FA alleges, since last week’s 2-2 draw with Indonesia.

President Xi to welcome Arab state leaders, with Palestine and trade on agenda

Leaders of Egypt, Bahrain, Tunisia and UAE to visit Beijing for meetings with Xi and ministerial conference of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum

Opinion | Why can’t US and China jointly seek Middle East peace and still compete?

Although they support rival camps and pursue divergent geopolitical games, the US and China are also working for the same thing: the region’s security and stability.

Kuwait’s emir Sheikh Nawaf laid to rest in low-key funeral

Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 86, died on Saturday. Foreign leaders and envoys paid their final respects, including the Saudi crown prince and the rulers of Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan.

Asian Angle | Why Malaysia seeks enduring Asean-GCC-China cooperation

Explainer | 5 ways to enter mainland China without a visa