Newsletter: China-Middle East China and Iran: It’s business as usual Less than six months after the Israeli and US airstrikes inside Iranian territory, Beijing’s ties with Tehran have not wavered despite US sanctions and Iran’s nuclear and economic setbacks from the war. By Joyce Karam In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East
Analysis Beyond Boeing and Airbus: China’s C919 courts Gulf as aviation power dynamics shift Despite strong interest in Chinese jets, skepticism remains about China’s ability to match Western standards of technology and reliability. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Newsletter: China-Middle East Why MBS' lavish US visit is not Saudi realignment away from China For Riyadh, engagement with Beijing is not merely transactional — it is part of a multipolar strategy that enhances Saudi leverage, accelerates Vision 2030 ambitions and reduces its exposure to the unpredictability of US policy. By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll
Syria FM visits China as Beijing presses Damascus on Uyghur fighters, TIP Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani pledged that his country would not allow foreign fighters to “exploit its territory to carry out activities” that would harm Chinese security. Syria
Newsletter: China-Middle East Sharaa-Trump meeting a mixed bag for China By Joyce Karam In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East
Newsletter: China-Middle East China getting ahead in the Gulf By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Newsletter: China-Middle East Beijing, Damascus breaking the ice By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Saudi-China energy cooperation strengthened by Uzbek wind project sale Both Saudi Arabia and China are seeking to tap into Uzbekistan's and Central Asia’s energy potential. Saudi Arabia
Guarded optimism on Palestinian reconciliation ahead of Fatah-Hamas meeting in China Officials in Ramallah say that Hamas accepting the creation of a Palestinian state within the framework of the two-state solution is crucial to progressing Palestinian reconciliation efforts. Palestine
Iraq-China ties progress with Nasiriyah airport project Relations between Iraq and China are strengthening, in part due to Chinese interest in Iraqi oil and infrastructure projects. Iraq
China, UAE hold air force drills in Xinjiang as defense relations grow The joint air force training exercise, dubbed Falcon Shield, began on Wednesday in the northwest Xinjiang province of China and will continue until late July. United Arab Emirates
China's BYD, world's biggest EV maker, invests $1B in Turkish plant In a post on the social media platform X on Monday, Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz confirmed that BYD is expected to begin production of vehicles in the new factory at the end of 2026 and that the facility will provide around 5,000 direct jobs. Turkey
Erdogan meets Xi, praises Turkey’s ties with China-led SCO bloc The Turkish president reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the China-led bloc. Turkey