Newsletter: Gulf Gulf states step up China diplomacy as Trump’s lame-duck session nears Oman and Saudi Arabia are deepening diplomatic outreach to Beijing as the outcome of Tuesday’s US midterm elections introduces fresh uncertainty over Washington’s Iran policy. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Analysis Why China stands to gain from Trump's midterm drubbing Beijing can now portray its diplomatic backing, purchases of Iranian oil and provision of dual-use technology as having helped Iran withstand a war that has exacted a political price from the US president. By Joyce Karam
Oman’s sultan concludes historic China visit amid US tensions: What to know The visit, the first by an Omani head of state since 1978, comes as Oman is reportedly considering purchasing Chinese- and Pakistani-made JF-17 fighter jets as part of efforts to diversify its international partnerships amid growing regional tensions. Oman
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Oman’s sultan makes historic China visit Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said met with China’s President Xi Jinping on Monday, the first visit by an Omani head of state to China since 1978. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Analysis What Oman's potential JF-17 fighter jet deal means for China and Pakistan By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Turkey’s Erdogan to visit China for first time in five years for SCO summit The SCO summit comes as Ankara walks a tightrope between maintaining close ties with Washington and diversifying its foreign partnerships. Turkey
Analysis China walks tightrope on Iran as E3 trigger snapback sanctions With snapback sanctions now in motion, Beijing must decide how much risk it is willing to assume in standing by Tehran. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Egypt secures $220M from domestic, Gulf, Chinese investors for solar project Foreign investment from three countries comes at a pivotal time in Egypt’s recovery from its worst financial crisis in over six decades. Egypt
Newsletter: Business & Tech From oil to investment: Saudi in China Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih arrived in China on Sunday, heading a senior delegation of government officials and leading business figures during a multiday visit. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
In China, Saudi investment minister looks to build on $100B+ trade ties China is the kingdom’s largest trade partner, with bilateral trade between the two reaching roughly $107.5 billion in 2024. Saudi Arabia
China, UAE are transforming African economies, but on whose terms? China and the UAE are racing to get ahead in Africa’s economic future, each using a different playbook. United Arab Emirates
From Kuwait to Turkey, why are countries cracking down on Roblox? The fast-growing gaming platform has been banned in countries including China, Iran, Oman, Qatar, and Turkey. Kuwait
Newsletter: China-Middle East UAE rivals China in Africa A UAE-based resource investment firm on Monday broke ground on a major solar plant in the Central African Republic that aims to power over 300,000 households once operational By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Lenovo’s $2B Saudi expansion suggests China to hold ground despite US push Lenovo and Huawei both continue to expand in Saudi Arabia months after US President Donald Trump's landmark Gulf tour delivered tech deals for US giants. Saudi Arabia
China expands auto investment in Egypt with $1B Suez tire plant Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said the project aligned with his country’s strategy to localize the automotive industry and manufacturing supply chains. Egypt
China envoy, Syria FM meet as Uyghur militant concerns slow reconstruction ties China and Syria remain at an impasse as Beijing remains wary of Uyghur militants’ integration into Syrian forces, while Syria, wary of alienating fighters who helped secure its recent military victories, seeks a compromise that won’t undermine the new government’s stability. Syria
Analysis As Kuwait modernizes military, will China rival US as key defense partner? Kuwait and China are finalizing a joint ammunition factory as the Gulf state maintains its longstanding US security alliance. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran