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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

Smoke billows from southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Israel, Lebanon agree to ceasefire as Trump and Netanyahu play down heated call

Deal establishes ‘pilot zones’ for exclusive Lebanese army control, but truce remains contingent on total Hezbollah halt.

3 hours ago

War and conflict

Opinion | Asia has to learn the lessons of war while it still can

4 Jun 2026 - 6:52AMvideocam

United Nations

Portugal and Austria defeat Germany for seats on UN Security Council

5 hours ago

Ukraine war

Ukraine drone strikes causing ‘panic’ for Kremlin, EU’s Kallas says

Russia is increasing attacks on civilians because it doesn’t know how to respond to attacks deep in its territory, the top EU diplomat says.

4 Jun 2026 - 2:15AM

Smoke billows following hits by Ukrainian drones at an oil terminal in St Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday. Photo: Social media via Reuters

China energy security

Global oil stockpiles could fall to ‘critical levels’ by summer, IEA warns

Even China’s inventories are now starting to decline, with Gulf oil supplies likely to take months to recover even if a peace deal is agreed.

3 Jun 2026 - 3:14PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Kuwait International Airport hit as US and Iran exchange attacks

Strikes damage terminal and halt commercial flights, sparking a fierce blame game between Washington and Tehran.

4 Jun 2026 - 8:15AM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘You’re crazy!’: Trump-Netanyahu relationship under growing strain over Iran

A reported profane phone tirade exposes deep fissures between two allies facing immense domestic strain.

3 Jun 2026 - 2:04PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in December 2025. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran diplomacy mired in uncertainty as Trump claims Lebanon de-escalation

Israeli leader vows to continue operations in southern Lebanon despite the US president claiming ‘no Troops going to Beirut’.

2 Jun 2026 - 4:44PM

Middle East

Netanyahu orders strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, clouding Iran mediation

Order came a day after Israeli ground forces seized a historic castle, reaching their deepest point in Lebanon in 26 years.

1 Jun 2026 - 6:05PM

China trade

‘Unsustainable’: firms face huge spike in shipping costs amid Hormuz crisis

Shipping lines say they have no choice but to pass on steep cost rises, as the Iran war sparks a fuel crisis that could last well into next year.

1 Jun 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

A container ship is moved into position at a port in China’s eastern Shandong province. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

US says struck Iran sites, Tehran responds by targeting base

Kuwait intercepts incoming drone and missile fire as negotiations to end the Iran war drag on.

1 Jun 2026 - 3:44PM

Vessels anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says US not to be trusted as Trump toughens deal terms

Ceasefire remains elusive as both sides still remain apart on conditions for peace.

1 Jun 2026 - 10:55AM

Middle East

Israeli forces capture historic castle in deepest push into Lebanon in decades

Troops take over the medieval fortress of Beaufort, returning to the strategic peak occupied by Israel from 1982 to 2000.

1 Jun 2026 - 3:30PM

My Take

My Take | Why China-bashing is being replaced by China-maxxing

Young Westerners embracing Chinese habits and culture started as a meme. But under it is a serious political signal.

31 May 2026 - 11:25PM

“Chinamaxxing”, in which the norms and traditions associated with Chinese culture are embraced, is trending among young Westerners. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote

US-Asean relations

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

30 May 2026 - 7:30AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Why the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation isn’t Nato for Iran

Central Asian members in particular see bloc’s main value as preserving their sovereignty rather than enabling collective military action.

30 May 2026 - 8:08AMvideocam

Middle East

Outside In | How Trump’s war on Iran is jeopardising Asia’s remittance lifeline

In Gulf economies, lost migrant jobs and remittances risk plunging millions across Asia into crisis.

29 May 2026 - 4:30PM

War and conflict

Israel, Russia hit back after being added to UN blacklist for sexual violence in conflicts

UN documentation of alleged abuses sparks furious denials from both nations.

29 May 2026 - 4:25PM

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has faced fierce diplomatic pushback from both Israel and Russia. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu orders Israeli military to seize 70% of Gaza, expanding control

Israel effectively controls an estimated 64 per cent of the tiny coastal strip, bombarded to ruins by war.

29 May 2026 - 3:24PM

Middle East

Israel launches deadly strike near Beirut as it widens offensive in Lebanon

Escalating hostilities in Lebanon strain a fragile ceasefire ahead of crucial negotiations in Washington.

29 May 2026 - 12:39PM

China energy security

Stockpiles, distribution hubs: inside China’s drive to Hormuz-proof its economy

Beijing is bolstering strategic reserves and accelerating the buildout of distribution hubs, as China rushes to adapt to the Middle East crisis.

28 May 2026 - 5:03PMvideocam

Chinese Premier Li Qiang (second left) quizzes officials about an oil reserve facility during his trip to China’s eastern Zhejiang province earlier this week. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

Gold continues decline as inflation fears outweigh hope of end to Iran war

The metal is down nearly 20 per cent from its all-time high in January as investors focus on the Federal Reserve’s plans to combat inflation.

28 May 2026 - 2:59PM

A salesman presents gold bars at a jewellery shop inside the Gold Market at the Old Souk in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 13. Photo: EPA

Middle East

Israel declares new swathe of Lebanon ‘a combat zone’, imperilling ceasefire

Israel extends combat zone north in the first such sweeping warning since the April 16 ceasefire.

28 May 2026 - 11:12AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel’s Lebanon strikes challenge Trump’s Iran talks amid Hezbollah’s defiance

Israel’s offensive aimed at weakening the group complicates US-Iran peace efforts, analysts say.

28 May 2026 - 4:23PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran, US reach outline ceasefire deal after latest air strikes: report

US military downs five drones and hits a ground station, triggering Iranian retaliation.

28 May 2026 - 10:57PM

An anti-US billboard in Tehran depicting US President Donald Trump and the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AFP

Drones

South Korea aims to join top tier of ‘loyal wingman’ combat drone race

Planned indigenous engine for the most complex UAV technology to support crewed fighter jets ‘a deliberate bid’ by Seoul.

27 May 2026 - 6:19PMvideocam

Hanwha Aerospace and the South Korean space agency plan to jointly develop engines capable of powering the most complex drone technology in the world. Photo: Handout

Israel-Gaza war

Israel says it killed Hamas’ new armed wing chief in Gaza strike

Mohammad Odeh eliminated after his predecessor was killed in a similar attack this month.

28 May 2026 - 3:53PM

Middle East

Israel pounds Lebanon with heaviest bombing in weeks, expands ground operations

Strikes kill and wound dozens as Israeli forces push beyond the ‘Yellow Line’ in southern Lebanon.

27 May 2026 - 3:59PM

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Israel

Israel, Lebanon agree to ceasefire as Trump and Netanyahu play down heated call

Deal establishes ‘pilot zones’ for exclusive Lebanese army control, but truce remains contingent on total Hezbollah halt.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Asia has to learn the lessons of war while it still can

Portugal and Austria defeat Germany for seats on UN Security Council

Ukraine drone strikes causing ‘panic’ for Kremlin, EU’s Kallas says

Russia is increasing attacks on civilians because it doesn’t know how to respond to attacks deep in its territory, the top EU diplomat says.

Global oil stockpiles could fall to ‘critical levels’ by summer, IEA warns

Even China’s inventories are now starting to decline, with Gulf oil supplies likely to take months to recover even if a peace deal is agreed.

Kuwait International Airport hit as US and Iran exchange attacks

Strikes damage terminal and halt commercial flights, sparking a fierce blame game between Washington and Tehran.

‘You’re crazy!’: Trump-Netanyahu relationship under growing strain over Iran

A reported profane phone tirade exposes deep fissures between two allies facing immense domestic strain.

US-Iran diplomacy mired in uncertainty as Trump claims Lebanon de-escalation

Israeli leader vows to continue operations in southern Lebanon despite the US president claiming ‘no Troops going to Beirut’.

Netanyahu orders strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, clouding Iran mediation

Order came a day after Israeli ground forces seized a historic castle, reaching their deepest point in Lebanon in 26 years.

‘Unsustainable’: firms face huge spike in shipping costs amid Hormuz crisis

Shipping lines say they have no choice but to pass on steep cost rises, as the Iran war sparks a fuel crisis that could last well into next year.

US says struck Iran sites, Tehran responds by targeting base

Kuwait intercepts incoming drone and missile fire as negotiations to end the Iran war drag on.

Iran says US not to be trusted as Trump toughens deal terms

Ceasefire remains elusive as both sides still remain apart on conditions for peace.

Israeli forces capture historic castle in deepest push into Lebanon in decades

Troops take over the medieval fortress of Beaufort, returning to the strategic peak occupied by Israel from 1982 to 2000.

My Take | Why China-bashing is being replaced by China-maxxing

Young Westerners embracing Chinese habits and culture started as a meme. But under it is a serious political signal.

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

Why the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation isn’t Nato for Iran

Central Asian members in particular see bloc’s main value as preserving their sovereignty rather than enabling collective military action.

Outside In | How Trump’s war on Iran is jeopardising Asia’s remittance lifeline

In Gulf economies, lost migrant jobs and remittances risk plunging millions across Asia into crisis.

Israel, Russia hit back after being added to UN blacklist for sexual violence in conflicts

UN documentation of alleged abuses sparks furious denials from both nations.

Netanyahu orders Israeli military to seize 70% of Gaza, expanding control

Israel effectively controls an estimated 64 per cent of the tiny coastal strip, bombarded to ruins by war.

Israel launches deadly strike near Beirut as it widens offensive in Lebanon

Escalating hostilities in Lebanon strain a fragile ceasefire ahead of crucial negotiations in Washington.

Stockpiles, distribution hubs: inside China’s drive to Hormuz-proof its economy

Beijing is bolstering strategic reserves and accelerating the buildout of distribution hubs, as China rushes to adapt to the Middle East crisis.

Gold continues decline as inflation fears outweigh hope of end to Iran war

The metal is down nearly 20 per cent from its all-time high in January as investors focus on the Federal Reserve’s plans to combat inflation.

Israel declares new swathe of Lebanon ‘a combat zone’, imperilling ceasefire

Israel extends combat zone north in the first such sweeping warning since the April 16 ceasefire.

Israel’s Lebanon strikes challenge Trump’s Iran talks amid Hezbollah’s defiance

Israel’s offensive aimed at weakening the group complicates US-Iran peace efforts, analysts say.

Iran, US reach outline ceasefire deal after latest air strikes: report

US military downs five drones and hits a ground station, triggering Iranian retaliation.

South Korea aims to join top tier of ‘loyal wingman’ combat drone race

Planned indigenous engine for the most complex UAV technology to support crewed fighter jets ‘a deliberate bid’ by Seoul.

Israel says it killed Hamas’ new armed wing chief in Gaza strike

Mohammad Odeh eliminated after his predecessor was killed in a similar attack this month.

Israel pounds Lebanon with heaviest bombing in weeks, expands ground operations

Strikes kill and wound dozens as Israeli forces push beyond the ‘Yellow Line’ in southern Lebanon.

Opinion | Asia has to learn the lessons of war while it still can