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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.
An Israeli tank drives along the ceasefire line between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Syria holds talks with Israel addressing de-escalation, Israel-Turkey tensions

A Syrian government source said Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, Roman Gofman.

France

Macron hosts Saudi’s crown prince for visit ranging from esports to Middle East

Israel-Gaza war

US envoy walks back comments on Golan Heights that contradicted Trump’s position

US, Israel war on Iran

Why Trump’s economic pain could spark more Iranian attacks on Gulf nations

The plan is likely to prompt Tehran to retaliate with military strikes across the Gulf in a bid to push up oil prices and force Trump to retreat.

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Copies of an Iranian newspaper displaying a picture of US President Donald Trump outside a kiosk in Tehran on Saturday. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran condemns US plans to announce new sanctions

Warning that nations joining the US ‘economic war’ would be deemed enemies, Iran said the move could affect trading partners including China.

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Israel

Israel targets ‘terrorist’ in southern Syria; Damascus condemns attack

Tensions between Israel and Syria flared this week after Israel bombed an airbase, a move ‌US special envoy Tom Barrack called ‘unnecessary’.

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Africa

20 sailors kidnapped by Somali pirates near Yemen on US-sanctioned ship

The hijacking comes amid a resurgence of piracy that has seen six commercial vessels seized since April across the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean.

An armed Somali pirate along the coastline while the Greek cargo ship, MV Filitsa, is seen anchored just off the shores of Hobyo town in northeastern Somalia in 2010. Photo: AFP
United States

Israel and Turkey edge towards a dangerous miscalculation over Syria

Unannounced Israeli jets near the Turkish border could easily have triggered a clash, in a high-stakes ‘warning’ to Ankara.

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India

India joins China and South Korea in push for Arctic shipping routes

With Middle East sea lanes choked by conflict, melting polar ice offers Asia a seasonal two-week short cut to European ports.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran president says time to end war while Tehran is in position of strength

The comments come after US Treasury chief Bessent vowed Washington would ‘collapse’ the Iranian regime with sanctions.

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Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian attends press conference in Tehran, on August 8, 2026. Photo: AFP
Israel-Gaza war

Turkey issues ‘genocide’ warrant for Israel’s Netanyahu over Gaza flotilla

Israel’s interception of the flotilla carrying some 430 activists in May sparked an international outcry.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Berlin in March 2023. Photo: dpa
China exports

China’s strategic mineral shipments rebound to US but slump for Japan

July customs data shows Beijing easing supplies of rare earth magnets to the US while export curbs deepen Japan’s material shortages.

US-China relations

US pushes China to back its ‘most crushing economic operation’ against Iran

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tells Beijing to ‘get with the programme’ and support Washington’s campaign to isolate Iran economically.

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China travel

From travel warnings to visa fees: why Chinese tourism to Japan is in free fall

Mainland visitors fell more than 56 per cent in July, compounding a slump driven by escalating diplomatic tensions and soaring costs.

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A Chinese tour group cross a road in the Ginza shopping district in Tokyo in November 2025, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan caused outrage in Beijing. Photo: AFP
Israel

Netanyahu casts Turkey as Israel’s new villain amid tough re-election fight

The Israeli PM has escalated tensions with Turkish President Erdogan over Syria in a bid to ‘unify’ his voter base around him.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s election campaign team has put up billboards with images of several leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Tel Aviv. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran mocks Trump’s ‘economic warfare’ threat as more ‘failed policies’

The US president says he is launching the ‘most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country’.

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Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s energy crisis opens door for India to mend ties

Ties have been strained by Sheikh Hasina’s self-exile in New Delhi, with Bangladesh ruling out a visit by its president to India for now.

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Hong Kong transport

Mable Chan uses Qatar Airways office opening to drop Central Asia route reveal

SCMP has learned that Cathay Pacific Airways is the airline behind plans to launch direct route to Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Qatar Airways has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Airport Authority. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran warns Gulf nations against helping US as UAE halts trade ties

Armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi says ‘any assistance or facilitation provided’ will amount to participation in US military activities.

South China Sea

Is South China Sea warship breakdown a sign US is ‘taxing reserve capacity’?

After USS Benfold lost power for four days last month, analysts say prolonged operations in the Middle East could be taking a toll.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese robotaxi firms see reduced red tape in Europe as deployment picks up

Europe embraces self-driving technology, opening up further opportunities for Chinese companies to expand overseas fleet, says Pony AI CEO.

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A Pony AI robotaxi on an exhibition stand during the 2026 Auto China show in Beijing. Photo: dpa
US, Israel war on Iran

Why is Trump threatening to bomb Oman, the mediator trying to clear Hormuz?

Domestic political heat and unhappiness over the sultanate’s negotiations with Tehran are behind the US president’s outburst.

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US President Donald Trump speaks to the press at the White House in May. Photo: AFP via Getty Images/TNS
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong tech stocks fall as US bond rout, Iran war deadlock dent sentiment

Tech stocks sink as US bonds sell off on supply jitters, while China’s debt market diverges on sluggish data, spurring easing hopes.

Mainland China

What does a hit film about the Iraq war say about Chinese views of the world?

Once Upon a Time in the Middle East has been co-opted into an ongoing soft power drive to promote Beijing’s message internationally.

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US, Israel war on Iran

UAE freezes all trade, financial dealings with Iran after missile attack

Tehran rejected Abu Dhabi’s accusation, calling it harmful to regional trust and security efforts.

Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles are displayed at Azadi Square in Tehran on August 2. Photo: AFP
United States

No toilets, no water: US Navy destroyer broke down for 4 days in the Pacific

The USS Benfold lost power, leaving its crew without drinking water, meals, functioning toilets and air conditioning.

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Guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold conducts routine operations in the Philippine Sea in June 2022. Photo: US Navy via AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump posts map with Hormuz as ‘new US territory’, says no Iran talks planned

This is not the first time the US president, faced with a foreign policy obstacle, has threatened to annex foreign territory.

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Hong Kong economy

82% of Chinese firms eye overseas growth, with Hong Kong top service support pick

Trade Development Council survey also shows 94 per cent of respondents are eyeing countries in Belt and Road Initiative for expansion.

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