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Middle East
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Middle East

Middle East
Middle East
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Middle East. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Traffic clogs an exit route as residents flee the southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday. Photo: Reuters
War and conflict

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.

US, Israel war on Iran

How ‘strategic ambiguity’ made Turkey a winner in the Iran war

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Hong Kong economy

Impact of Middle East war on Hong Kong’s inflation limited, finance chief says

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.

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

Syria says Sharaa holds phone call with Trump

Ahmed al-Sharaa tells the US president that ending economic restrictions is essential to reviving Syria’s economy.

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.

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Lebanon

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.

An Israeli flag and a flag of the Golani Brigade raised on Beaufort Castle. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Opinion | US quietly plays the long game on energy dominance against China

Behind the Trump administration’s detente with Beijing lies a strategy to redirect global energy flows and disrupt Chinese competitiveness.

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South Korea

From submarines to trade, South Korea and US remain deadlocked ahead of talks

The two allies are also expected to discuss the transfer of military control and a data breach involving a US firm at their talks next week.

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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.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Artificial intelligence

Asia faces ‘costly paradox’ over divergent AI rules in US and EU

Regional countries are adapting either the US or EU legal framework, while Asian tech firms risk incurring a ‘regulatory fragmentation tax’.

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An AI robot looking into a crystal ball. Analysts say the compliance costs for AI rules in the US and the EU would be significant. Photo: Shutterstock
US, Israel war on Iran

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.

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.

Gold in Hong Kong

World Gold Council says diversification driving China’s growing reserves

China’s gold reserves have grown for 18 straight months, country’s central bank says.

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Gold bars and coins a precious metals dealership in Munich Germany. Photo: DPA
Bonds

China’s first green bond sale in Hong Kong aims to raise US$886 million

Country looking to issue offshore sovereign green bonds and tap global capital to invest in green development.

Wind turbines tower above a solar farm near Weifang, Shandong province, Photo: AP
South Korea

‘Transitory euphoria’: South Korea’s strong economic outlook masks key hurdles

The surge in demand for semiconductors is cyclical, while other sectors in the country are lagging, analysts say.

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.

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Diplomacy

Editorial | PM Sharif’s visit reaffirms China-Pakistan ‘iron brother’ relationship

The visit reinforced the two nations’ commitment to international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes and a multipolar world.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shakes hands with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 25. Photo: Reuters
Lebanon

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.

US, Israel war on Iran

US boasts viable Iran deal: no nuclear weapons, Hormuz open. Will Trump agree?

US president said to be weighing proposed deal as fragile ceasefire holds after renewed strikes and Iranian retaliation.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | 3 paths to stability in a conflict-ridden world

History moves in cycles, and today’s turbulence will settle into a new order. Will the US reassert dominance, China emerge as the leader, or will we see a world with two centres?

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong exports surge 43% in April, driven by strong demand for AI electronics

Figure follows earlier five-year high of 35.8% growth in March, but government remains cautious and says Middle East war could cloud outlook.

Cargo ships docked at Kwai Chung Container Terminal. Photo: Elson Li
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.

War and conflict

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.

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.

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Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli strike near the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
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.

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

Trump appears to threaten to ‘blow up’ Oman, after question on Iran and Hormuz

Asked if he would accept a deal to allow Iran and US ally Oman to control the strait, Trump said the Gulf state must ‘behave’.

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Hong Kong society

Stamp of approval sought on HK$4.6 billion lifeline for struggling Hongkong Post

Government-owned postal service provider has recorded eight consecutive annual deficits, accumulating nearly HK$2.9 billion in losses.

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