Advertisement
Advertisement
Saudi Arabia
TOPIC
 / location

Saudi Arabia

Related Topics:
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Saudi Arabia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Capital
Riyadh
Head of State
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Head of Government
Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (right) shakes hands with his Bangladeshi counterpart Khalilur Rahman during a meeting in New Delhi in April. Photo: AFP
Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s talk of joining an ‘Islamic Nato’ raises red flags in India

Joining the Saudi-Turkish-Pakistani security alliance offers Dhaka leverage, but could also threaten its non-aligned stance.

Iran

2 Filipino sailors killed in Iran’s attack on vessel, Saudi Arabia says

videocam
Malaysia

Former Malaysian minister arrested in state haj fund corruption probe

Diplomacy

Opinion | China wants to lead a multipolar world. Now it must show how

To translate its well-articulated vision into practice, Beijing must flesh out concrete mechanics, starting with institutional design.

videocam
8
Illustration: Henry Wong
Iran

Open Questions | Trita Parsi on why US air strikes strengthened Iran’s hand

Iranian-born and Washington-based expert analyses Tehran’s leverage, China’s non-intervention strategy and shifting Persian Gulf alliances.

videocam
12
China-Middle East relations

China’s Middle East policy at a crossroads 6 months into US-Israeli war on Iran

Gulf states are rethinking their strategy after coming under attack, but observers say Beijing does not want to commit itself too deeply.

videocam
17
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China trade

China’s Micbot trains robots to withstand the heat of Saudi Arabian oil industry

AI-powered quadrupeds, designed for extreme conditions and hazardous sites, are undergoing tests in China as Micbot awaits Aramco’s mass-procurement decision.

Robotic quadrupeds that Micbot has developed with Aramco are being prepared for delivery to Saudi Arabia later this year. Photo: handout
Science

Chinese scientists discover that trees are producing ozone smog in Beijing

The city’s poplars and willows have been identified as the source of an unexpected spike in ozone levels during the heat of the summer.

US, Israel war on Iran

US starts returning staff to some Middle East missions after war evacuations

US move signals lower risk of immediate regional escalation, though select missions will cap capacity at 75 to 85 per cent.

Middle East

Opinion | Could Mecca defence pact be first step to new Middle East order?

As security deal shakes up calculations for the US, China and Russia, a regional order shaped by regional states is no longer unthinkable.

6
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Middle East

Israel’s strikes push Syria towards joining Mecca defence pact

Air strikes intended to curb Turkish expansion risk triggering the very encirclement Israel fears, analysts say.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (left) shakes hands with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Thursday. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan / AFP
Yuan

How a China gold vault network could promote the yuan’s international reach

By anchoring yuan trades to gold through Hong Kong and new global vaults, Beijing will add convertibility to its currency, report says.

videocam
US, Israel war on Iran

China vows to safeguard interests after ‘Economic D-Day’ sanctions over Iran ties

Washington warns Iran-linked entities face removal from US dollar system as Trump presses world leaders to cut financial ties.

videocam
136
Esports

Power-up: China’s Esports World Cup win a showcase for market potential

With the EWC being held outside Saudi Arabia for the first time, the US$4.3 billion industry looks to grow its market, including in China.

French President Emmanuel Macron presents the EWC 2026 Club champions award to Chinese club AG.AL at the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup at the Grand Palais in Paris on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

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

A French official said agreements, on health, transport and energy, will be signed on Monday alongside talks likely to focus on Iran.

French President Emmanuel Macron (centre), Fifa President Gianni Infantino (left) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attend the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup at the Grand Palais in Paris, France on Sunday. Photo: Pool via Reuters
Iran

Iran truce drives spike in China’s oil imports, but soaring Brent clouds demand

Purchases from the Gulf accounted for 27.6 per cent of China’s total crude imports in July, up over 10 percentage points from the month before.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran shifts to offensive as diplomacy with US stalls

Tehran is moving from retaliation to a more proactive strategy to break the deadlock and force US concessions over the naval blockade and energy trade.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
SCMP Highlights

How monarchies stay relevant; Pakistan’s new defence pact: 7 Asia highlights

From Southeast Asia’s monarchies to a shoving incident in Singapore, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

World’s longest-reigning living monarch, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, returns a salute during his 80th birthday celebrations at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on July 15. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Editorial | Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact a sign of a realigning global order

China may view the agreement as an opportunity to expand its own diplomatic and economic influence in the Middle East and South Asia.

5
Israel-Gaza war

US envoy Kushner meets Hamas leader in push for Gaza road map

Israeli PM Netanyahu last week rejected the US-backed 15-point plan in a rare public show of defiance against the Trump administration.

5
Russia

Russia’s role in Middle East politics endures, shifts to being ‘secondary power’

Two Russian military bases will remain in Syria as the region continues to recalibrate its relations with major powers amid the Iran war.

A Syrian rebel fighter stands at an inspection checkpoint for incoming vehicles before a Russian flag and Russian soldiers behind manning the entrance of the Russian-leased Syrian military base of Hmeimim in Latakia province in Syria in 2024. Photo: TNS
Malaysia

Malaysian F1 fans vent fury over sales process, organisers cite ‘high traffic’

The Sepang International Circuit is hosting the race for the first time since 2017 as the Bahrain leg was cancelled due to the Iran war.

The official F1 website shows that tickets in several categories for the race in Malaysia in October were sold out. Photo: F1
Middle East

Opinion | How Mecca defence pact changes China’s calculations in the Middle East

Defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan presents a complex strategic calculus for Beijing, demanding a masterclass in balance.

China-Middle East relations

Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Mecca pact ‘far from’ Nato-style defence alliance

Observers say diverging strategic interests and a weak mutual security capacity will be the main challenges facing the agreement.

videocam
13
US-China relations

In Focus | Singapore and South Korea eye science opportunity as US-China ties shatter

New research hubs are emerging in other countries in response to Washington’s restrictions – but there are likely to be few winners overall.

videocam
8
Illustration: Davies Christian
Pakistan

Erdogan wants Turkey-Saudi Arabia-Pakistan defence pact to draw more countries

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said Istanbul expects Egypt to join the pact ‘in the next stage’.

Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sign the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on August 7. Photo: PPI /ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
US, Israel war on Iran

US says it has fired on ship in Gulf of Oman to enforce Iranian ports blockade

A US Navy helicopter fired on and disabled the Panama-flagged ship after the crew ignored warnings from US forces, said US Central Command.

videocam
India

‘Islamic Nato’? Why Pakistan’s new defence pact has India on edge

Analysts say the pact could evolve into a broader ideological military bloc that could extend its influence to the Indian Ocean region.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement