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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.
Ambulances wait in line at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Palestinian Gaza Strip on Monday. Photo: AFP
Israel-Gaza war

Gaza’s Rafah crossing sees ‘limited’ reopening amid truce, but challenges remain

Restoring the Rafah-Egypt crossing is a vital milestone for the peace process, concluding the long closure enforced by the Israeli military.

US-Iran tensions

Trump hopeful of deal after Iran’s top leader warns of regional war

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Iran

Screenwriter of Oscar-nominated Iranian film arrested in Tehran

Africa

Nigerian army kills top Boko Haram commander, 10 militants in night raid

Abu Khalid, a commander of Boko Haram in the Sambisa Forest in Borno state, was a key figure within ‘the terrorist hierarchy’ according to the army.

A Nigerian soldier from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) loads his machine gun during training at the MNJTF military base, Sector 3 Headquarters, in Monguno, Borno state, Nigeria, on July 5 last year. Photo: AFP
United States

Iraq’s parliament delays presidential vote again amid US pressure

In Iraq, by convention, a Shiite Muslim is prime minister, the parliament speaker is a Sunni and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.

China-Middle East relations

Israel’s China envoy calls to deepen historical ties in rare media outreach

Eli Belotserkovsky’s article comes amid global buzz over Trump’s Board of Peace and months after closer media ties pledge with Xinhua head.

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Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia set to redraw economic road map as megaprojects scale down

A plunge in construction deals and the postponement of the 2029 Asian Winter Games have cast doubts on Riyadh’s Vision 2030.

An artist’s impression for The Line, 500-metre tall parallel structures in the heart of the Red Sea megacity Neom. Photo: Neom/AFP
International Property

Chinese firms are scoping out overseas property. What is catching their eye?

With residential development on the wane, Chinese firms are investing in smart city, logistics and new energy projects, Knight Frank says.

China travel

As diplomatic row drags on, how is Japan coping with a fall in Chinese tourists?

Chinese tourism to Japan has plunged amid a diplomatic feud. But Japan’s travel sector is holding up – and its airlines have even made some gains.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Gas leak behind deadly Iran blast that stoked fears of US or Israeli attack

The explosion highlighted the jittery mood ‍prevailing in the country, as Trump threatens strikes and says a US ‘armada’ is on its way.

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The flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran. File photo: dpa
Saudi Arabia

US approves US$16 billion arms sale to Israel, Saudi Arabia

The State Department says that none of the new sales will affect the military balance in the Middle East.

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A Palestinian man carries his shopping past Israeli security forces during in Kafr Aqab in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Spain

Chinese hair salon owner arrested in Barcelona for funding Hamas via crypto

The 38-year-old Chinese national faces terror financing charges after allegedly laundering US$715,000 via cryptocurrency to the militant group.

Israel-Gaza war

Israel offers ‘limited’ Rafah reopening after nearly 2-year Gaza border shutdown

The reopening is part of phase two of the US ceasefire. Previously, it was Gaza’s main crossing for people and trade with Egypt.

Israel-Gaza war

US envoys to Israel blocked ‘apocalyptic’ Gaza warning in 2024: report

Leaked reports reveal US diplomats killed internal memos detailing dead bodies and famine in Gaza to avoid a ‘lack of balance’ in policy.

Palestinians walk through the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in April 2024. Photo: AP
Iran

‘They are trying to inject fear’: Iran rounding up thousands after crackdown

Security forces reportedly use unofficial warehouses and secret lock-ups as activists say arrests stand at more than 42,000.

An woman sits on a bus in Tehran, Iran, on Thursday. Photo: EPA
European Union

EU designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as terrorist group amid bloody crackdown

EU’s Kaja Kallas equates the group to Islamic State and al-Qaeda as death toll tops 6,300. Trump moves ‘armada’ to Mideast as Iran warns of naval strikes.

Russia

Putin hosts Syrian leader in Moscow with Russian bases on agenda

Russian president hails progress in ties with Syria as Ahmad al-Sharaa visits Moscow for talks.

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Iran

Trump warns Iran of ‘far worse’ attack as US warships approach

US president issues ultimatum for a nuclear deal as Iran vows to resist any American attack.

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A Boeing EA-18G Growler on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Indian Ocean on January 21. Photo: US Navy via AP
Donald Trump

As US carrier fleet sails near Iran, Trump faces ‘no easy levers’ against Tehran

Analysts evaluate the difficult options of a US air strike, killing of Iran’s top leaders, covert operations and counter-intelligence.

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Iraq

Trump warns Iraq against returning former prime minister to power

US president says the US will ‘no longer help’ if Nouri al-Maliki is prime minister again.

Israel-Gaza war

Unicef delivers school kits to Gaza after 2.5-year Israel blockade

Thousands of school kits reach Gaza as Unicef confirms Israel lifts blockade that left children learning without pencils or books.

Students attend a class at Al-Shamal Educational School, located just 100 metres from the “Yellow Line” in Jabalia Refugee Camp on January 12. Photo: Xinhua
Indonesia

Peace or chaos? Indonesia’s participation in Trump-led board stirs debate

Critics say the decision runs contrary to Jakarta’s support for Palestine and decades-old foreign policy strategy of multilateralism.

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US President Donald Trump (left) talks to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the “Board of Peace” meeting in Davos on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Xpeng targets overseas sales surge in 2026 as China EV battle goes global

Guangzhou-based EV maker targets more than 90,000 overseas deliveries this year amid fierce competition at home.

US-Iran tensions

US aircraft carrier arrives in the Middle East amid Iran tensions

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out a military intervention as the US ‘armada’ reaches the region.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel recovers final hostage remains, key for next phase of Gaza truce

Returning all hostages has been central to the Gaza ceasefire. Gvili’s family urged Israel to delay phase two until his remains are returned.

People in Tel Aviv hold signs with a photo of Ran Gvili, who was killed on October 7, 2023. Photo: AP
India

Why India’s focus on Middle East is on trade despite defence ties with UAE

A potential defence partnership agreement between India and the UAE has fuelled speculation of more rival blocs emerging in the region.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) welcoming Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, at New Delhi airport on January 19. Photo: EPA
China's military weapons

Shandong’s use of PLA dry dock near South China Sea suggests carrier milestone

China may avoid a ‘carrier gap’ and could support carrier operations along the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and beyond, analysts say.

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Iran

Iran unveils bloody anti-US billboard as carrier force nears

Graphic mural in Tehran shows a destroyed aircraft carrier in a warning to the Trump administration against military intervention.

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