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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.
Workers remove a billboard after the failed peace talks between the United States and Iran, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 12. Photo: EPA
Diplomacy

Opinion | How Pakistan outmanoeuvred India in Iran war diplomacy with China’s help

Beijing’s indirect influence has allowed Islamabad to take advantage of New Delhi’s strategic constraints.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Israel, Lebanon agree to launch direct talks after rare US-facilitated meeting

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts

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Donald Trump

Trump turns on Italy’s Meloni, says he is ‘shocked’ by her

Meloni had been a supporter of Trump, but has criticised his decision to go to war with Iran and denounced his weekend ‌criticism of Pope Leo.

US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in October 2025. Photo: Reuters
China-Middle East relations

Xi’s meeting with Abu Dhabi crown prince highlights Gulf turn towards China

Analysts said the trip was a sign that the UAE was seeking ‘more reliable partners’ in the wake of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

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China GDP

IMF cuts China’s GDP growth forecast to 4.4% as Iran war hits global economy

The latest projection is 0.1 percentage lower than January’s estimate but higher than October’s.

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Malaysia

Malaysians urged to tighten their belts as Iran war fallout starts to bite

Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir warns the effects of the crisis can last until next year, with oil prices expected to remain high.

People walk to their workplace during the morning rush at Kuala Lumpur city centre, Malaysia. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | You’re not asking the right question about the Iran war

The standard critique of the war does not ask who requires Iran to remain an enemy rather than a problem to be managed.

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China trade

China’s exports slow as Iran war impact begins to bite

Disruptions from conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz contributed to a worse-than-expected slowdown in Chinese exports and a jump in imports.

Nepal

Nepal’s trekking trade looks east as Iran war disrupts Western tourist flow

Flight disruptions through Gulf hubs have cut Western arrivals, prompting tourism operators to chase travellers from Asia-Pacific markets.

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With conflict disrupting flights through the Middle East, Nepal’s tourism sector is counting on Asian trekkers to help soften the blow. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Israel envoy protests Japanese TV pundit’s remarks on Kushner’s Jewish identity

Critics said his comments suggested that Trump’s son-in-law should not be involved in negotiations with Iran because he is Jewish.

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US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner (L) and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff (R) look on as Vice President JD Vance speaks at a news conference after meeting with representatives from Pakistan and Iran in Islamabad on Sunday. Photo: AFP
China energy security

China turns to central Asia as US blockade in Hormuz chokes global energy flows

Chinese vice-premier to visit major gas field in Turkmenistan as Beijing aims to shore up energy security and diversify away from volatile maritime routes.

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Malaysia

Power play: Malaysia races to go green as Iran war squeezes oil supply

To avoid future supply shocks, the government aims to raise renewable generation to 70 per cent of the energy mix by 2050.

China trade

China’s imports surge in March as exports soften amid Hormuz blockade

Export figures fall short of predictions, rising by 2.5 per cent, while imports grow by 27.8 per cent as conflict in Middle East causes global disruption.

A container ship arrives at the Qingdao Port in Shandong province. The port opened seven new container shipping routes in the first quarter of this year. Photo: Xinhua
Asia travel

Lack of fuel reserves forces Southeast Asian flight cuts amid Hormuz crisis

Airlines are cutting flights, as dependence on Middle Eastern fuel hits operators from Pakistan to New Zealand.

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A Vietjet Airline airplane in front of a Vietnam Airlines airplane, at Noi Bai International Airport, in Hanoi, Vietnam, on May 28, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Pakistan

Minister says Pakistan ‘committed’ to repay US$3 billion loan from UAE

Finance Minister Aurangzeb said the government was exploring a ‘combination of many sources’ to pay back the amount.

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Chuck Schumer

Dozens detained in New York City protest over US arms sales to Israel

Whistle-blower Chelsea Manning was among those held in a protest led by the anti-war group Jewish Voice for Peace.

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United States

Hezbollah leader asks Lebanon to cancel meeting in US with Israel

Amid a surge in Israeli ground operations, Naim Qassem calls for a ‘heroic stance’ to scrap Tuesday’s planned summit.

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A man who said he survived an Israeli strike sits among piled damaged cars in Beirut. Photo: Reuter
US, Israel war on Iran

US begins blockade of Iranian ports amid fragile ceasefire

Trump says Beijing ‘would like to see this ended’ as the US moves to stop vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports.

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

Could Trump’s Hormuz blockade derail China summit with Xi Jinping?

US president’s move forces China into political dilemma and could create a flashpoint ahead of his meeting with Chinese leader, analysts say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

China says open Hormuz key to global interests as Trump blockade looms

Beijing’s foreign ministry denies that China plans to provide weapons and military tech to Iran.

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US President Donald Trump has said that the “the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz”. Photo: Nasa Earth Observatory/AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia faces energy emergency amid Trump’s Hormuz blockade

With six tankers carrying up to 6 million barrels of oil potentially stranded, analysts say Malaysia is on a collision course with crisis.

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The skyline of Kuala Lumpur seen on Friday. Malaysia has leaned heavily on domestic natural gas production and costly subsidies to mitigate the fallout from the Iran war. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump’s Hormuz blockade may target China along with Iran

The US plans to stop Iranian oil exports, which mainly go to China, after peace talks failed to produce a deal.

Banking & finance

HSBC stays the course in the Middle East despite war

The bank will continue to invest in the UAE, alongside India, China and Singapore, says Surendra Rosha, co-CEO for Asia and the Middle East.

Hong Kong economy

Middle East war tests Hong Kong aviation hub status as rivals feel the heat

Flight cuts due to rising fuel prices could affect transit traffic in short run, but impact will depend on duration of conflict, experts say.

Cathay Pacific and HK Express will cut some flights starting next month. Photo: May Tse
Malaysia

Malaysia foils illegal ship-to-ship fuel transfer in waters off Penang

Malaysia has been cracking down on fuel smuggling amid mounting shortages and ‌supply disruptions caused by the Iran war.

An illegal transfer of oil takes place between two tankers off Penang in December. Photo: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Donald Trump

‘Someone must stand for a better way’: Pope speaks out after Trump’s attack

After the US president shatters norms with a direct hit on the pontiff, Leo says he will continue to speak out ‘loudly’ and promote peace.

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Hong Kong stock market

Stocks drop and oil surges back above US$100 as US blockade of Hormuz escalates war

Stock markets across Asia fell, with Japan’s Nikkei losing 0.7 per cent and South Korea’s Kospi dropping 0.9 per cent.

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