TOPIC

/ location

Israel

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

Capital

Jerusalem

Head of State

President Isaac Herzog

Head of Government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

The defence pact fuelled talk of an “Islamic Nato”. Photo: EPA

China-Middle East relations

China waits in wings as Mecca pact signals Gulf move beyond US security umbrella

The Nato-style deal between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey highlights the growing doubts in the region about over-reliance on Washington.

5 minutes agovideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu rejects Gaza plan in new break from Trump

56 minutes agovideocam

Science

US and Israeli physicists hail China’s glueball discovery as a ‘triumph’

5 hours agovideocam

Saudi Arabia

How Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact acts as ‘insurance’ over US disengagement

The Mecca deal may emerge as a third geopolitical ‘centre of gravity’ in the Middle East, with more members joining, analysts say.

9 Aug 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (centre), flanked by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca on Friday. Photo: Turkish Presidency Press Office/AFP

Israel-Gaza war

‘Hopeless’: Palestinian Christians leave West Bank as hardships mount

Christians leave due to the deterioration of the humanitarian and economic situation in the West Bank, clergy members say.

8 Aug 2026 - 11:48AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump ally Abelardo de la Espriella sworn in as Colombia president

The right-wing ex-lawyer who calls himself ‘The Tiger’ vowed to bomb cocaine labs, build mega prisons and usher in closer ties with the US.

8 Aug 2026 - 2:39PM

China-Middle East relations

Where do China-Israel ties stand after closure of Chengdu consulate?

Amid recent bilateral friction, Beijing has no intention of maliciously damaging relations with Middle East country, analyst says.

7 Aug 2026 - 10:27PMvideocam

China has repeatedly criticised Israel and the United States over their military actions against Iran this year and urged immediate ceasefires. Photo: Shutterstock

Middle East

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign joint defence deal

The nations are particularly concerned by the increasingly aggressive military stances of both Israel and revolutionary Shiite Iran.

7 Aug 2026 - 10:53PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran seeks to bar US and Israeli ships in Hormuz deal with Oman

Tehran pushes for strict transit bans and fees in draft waterway pact as Trump claims negotiations are ‘moving along good’.

7 Aug 2026 - 11:24AM

US, Israel war on Iran

How US became trapped in ‘dreadful situation’ of its own making over Iran war

With Iran holding firm to its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, Trump faces one of two choices: capitulate or risk a ‘forever war’, experts say.

6 Aug 2026 - 3:21PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the East Room of the White House on July 16. Photo: Getty Images

Ukraine war

Why Russia’s ballistic missiles are breaking through in Ukraine

Interceptors are running low, warning times are seconds, and only one air-defence system can stop them.

6 Aug 2026 - 1:53PM

A warehouse in Kyiv on fire after a missile strike on Wednesday. Photo: AP

United States

Progressive Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan primary in jolt to Democrats

He defeated moderate Haley Stevens, who was backed by the Democratic establishment, in a vote seen as a test of the party’s direction.

6 Aug 2026 - 3:50AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran nears Hormuz deal with Oman, conditions reopening on US actions

Tehran agrees to joint route with neighbour across strait, taking effective control of traffic without Washington’s input.

6 Aug 2026 - 12:24PM

Middle East

Netanyahu says Israel didn’t agree to US-backed Gaza plan

The Israeli leader has received guarantees that the Israeli army would only need to leave its current positions in Gaza after Hamas disarms.

5 Aug 2026 - 8:13PM

US President Donald Trump points his finger towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, in December. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong ship crews stranded in Strait of Hormuz ‘safe and offered counselling’

Industry representative says the stranded crew face little immediate safety risk, though months at sea have affected them mentally and physically.

5 Aug 2026 - 6:21PM

As of July, about 6,000 seafarers were stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

US waging war on Iran not worth the cost, most Americans say in new survey

Marquette Law School poll also found 75 per cent of respondents nationwide did not believe the conflict was worth the cost.

5 Aug 2026 - 2:42PM

United States

Defunct SpaceX rocket crashes into moon, kicks up dust

The school bus-sized object weighing four tonnes slammed into the lunar surface at 8,690km/h.

6 Aug 2026 - 5:24AMvideocam

United States

US-Saudi nuclear doubt, Boko Haram’s AI terrorism: 7 global relations reads

From US arms promises to EU sanctions and USMCA troubles, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in July 2026.

4 Aug 2026 - 10:14PM

Boko Haram has been found to use both Chinese and American AIs in their terrroism plots – possibly with advice from Islamic State. Photo: Shutterstock

Indonesia

Offside move? Why Indonesia’s football chief backed Fifa privatisation plan

Erick Thohir said the Indonesian football association should back Fifa’s proposal because of its contributions to the local game.

4 Aug 2026 - 6:29PMvideocam

Singapore

Massive Attack’s Singapore ban tests legal limits of artistic freedom

Singapore concertgoers urge leniency for the band’s pro-Palestine acts on stage but lawyers say that a line has to be drawn.

4 Aug 2026 - 5:11PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ conditions Israel’s Gaza withdrawal on Hamas disarmament

US-backed panel seeks to calm Israeli pushback over framework for war-torn enclave.

4 Aug 2026 - 3:20PM

A Palestinian boy stands beside a marker designating the 'Yellow Line' set by the Israeli military in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip. Photo: AFP

China energy security

Iran war could still alter Beijing’s policy calculus: economist

Mao Zhenhua says impact on China has been “small”, but it could focus policymakers’ minds on domestic economic woes.

3 Aug 2026 - 9:00PM

A banner featuring a picture of US President Donald Trump next to an Iranian missile battery at Azadi Square in Tehran on Thursday. Photo: WANA via Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Strikes kill 18 in Gaza as Israeli minister says no deal to halt attacks

Military offensive continues despite Trump-backed plan to disarm Hamas and implement lasting ceasefire.

3 Aug 2026 - 9:32AM

Hong Kong economy

Mainland transit gives Hongkongers option for Europe trips amid Middle East war

Industry leaders expect more Hongkongers to choose Europe via mainland transit, but warn cheaper fares may be offset by higher fuel charges.

2 Aug 2026 - 6:25PM

China exports

Why US, EU curbs on Chinese power inverters risk upending green supply chains

As Western governments move to end dependence on world’s top producer, analysts warn rapid decoupling could drive up costs and derail projects.

2 Aug 2026 - 5:00PM

Staff members assemble inverters at an industrial park in Tongxin county in Wuzhong, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region, on February 20, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump holds off Iran strikes after Middle East allies outline deal

Trump says the deal will include an end to Iran’s nuclear threat and ‘the immediate, complete and total opening’ of the Strait of Hormuz.

2 Aug 2026 - 4:51PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up as he walks to board Marine One following his arrival at Morristown Municipal Airport on Friday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s foreign minister warns of any ‘adventurous action’ by US

Abbas Araqchi said Iran would retaliate if the US follows through on Trump’s threat of fresh attacks on the country.

2 Aug 2026 - 7:01AMvideocam

Middle East

Israel says it killed several Hezbollah fighters in south Lebanon

The Israeli military said an Israeli soldier was also injured there despite a ceasefire. Hezbollah has not claimed any attacks since June 20.

2 Aug 2026 - 1:35AMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW