China in the Mideast

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Beijing, May 2, 2017.

Analysis

Wang Yi’s tour signals China’s quiet push for influence beyond trade

The Chinese foreign minister's visits underscored a strategy of leveraging trade and energy ties with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan to expand its political and diplomatic influence.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Waleed Al-Khuraiji, Saudi Arabia’s vice foreign minister, and Miao Deyu, China’s vice foreign minister, conclude the third Iran–China–Saudi trilateral meeting with talks alongside Iran’s foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Tehran, Dec. 9, 2025.

Analysis

Iran’s China pivot deepens as Tehran's thaw with Saudi Arabia gets reality check

At a Tehran trilateral meeting between China and Saudi Arabia, Iranian officials performed careful diplomatic choreography, seeking Beijing’s backing to revive the sluggish rapprochement with Riyadh and to reposition the Islamic Republic within shifting postwar dynamics.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

The Red Flag limousine carrying Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed passes a military honour guard as he arrives for a welcoming ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 22, 2019. (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP) (Photo credit should read GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)

China, UAE to hold third air force drills as defense ties warm: What we know

China and the United Arab Emirates are further deepening their defense and military ties with a third round of aerial exercises.

United Arab Emirates

A S-200 surface-to-air missile system is on display in Terhran.

Analysis

Iran uses first joint SCO field drill to tout drone power, assert post-war resilience

The five-day drill includes participation from China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Observer states Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and Iraq will also be present.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Saudi PIF eyes $27B Japan portfolio as kingdom courts Asian investment

RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Analysis

Beyond Boeing and Airbus: China’s C919 courts Gulf as aviation power dynamics shift

China's Comac C919 plane performs during a preview of the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 18, 2024.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Analysis

Iran's rebuke of Russia, China exposes cracks in its 'look to East' strategy

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R) makes a speech as he attends the National Army Day ceremony on April 18, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. The country held its annual 'Army Day' parade in Tehran, which included an address by current President Masoud Pezeshkian. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Syria FM visits China as Beijing presses Damascus on Uyghur fighters, TIP

AFP via Getty Images

Dancers perform at the opening of the Confucius Institute in Algiers, Sept. 23, 2025.

Culture

Algeria, China deepen cultural ties with opening of Confucius Institute

Algeria this week inaugurated the institute, marking a major milestone in cultural and academic cooperation with China.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia courts Chinese firms in mining investment drive

Mining and Industry Minister Bandar Alkhorayef met with executives from more than 20 mining firms in Beijing on Thursday.

China's President Xi Jinping (R) and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands ahead of their talks at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on March 21, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Etienne Oliveau (Photo credit should read ETIENNE OLIVEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Israelis sour on China, Netanyahu provokes Beijing — but to what end?

With China already opposing Israeli actions in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused China and Qatar of orchestrating anti-Israel campaigns on social media.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone posts record $237M revenues

Suez Canal transit revenues declined 54% between July 2024 and March 2025, caused by reduced shipping traffic in the Red Sea amid attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on commercial vessels.

Google Pay, China’s Alipay+ launch in Saudi Arabia amid cashless push

Both payment platforms will use mada, the kingdom’s national payment system.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

An Xpeng AeroHT X2 Flying Car is seen on display in Hong Kong on May 17, 2024

China-made flying car makes first test flight in UAE: What to know

The Chinese company is facing competition from a US firm that is currently developing an air taxi service in Dubai.

United Arab Emirates

Guests attend a policy dialogue on Embracing Emerging Opportunities in times of Economic Uncertainty during the 10th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, China, Sept. 10, 2025.

Hong Kong inks agreements with Gulf partners at BRI Summit

Some 36 business agreements covering finance, technology, logistics, professional services and education were set to be signed at the event.

Chinese President Xi jinping attends a photo session for participants of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit 2025 on Sept. 1, 2025, in Tianjin, China.

China calls on BRICS to boost multilateral trade as Iran, UAE eye closer ties

The UAE’s and Egypt’s trade with BRICS members is on the rise, while Iran’s efforts to increase economic ties are complicated by sanctions.

An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) is parked in an aircraft shelter at Creech Air Force Base on November 17, 2015 in Indian Springs, Nevada.

Trump aims to crack Gulf's armed drone market with looser export restrictions

Washington's latest reinterpretation of the 35-nation MTCR agreement is expected to open the door for a potential major sale of advanced aerial weaponry to Saudi Arabia.

Traffic flows past a huge billboard showing a missile falling on Israel with the slogan "The missile has fallen amidst the demons," on a main road in central Tehran on July 16, 2025.

Analysis

Iran turns to China, Russia to bolster air defenses as it preps for next Israel war

Following the 12-day war with Israel, Iran is increasing its military budget to repair its crippled air defense systems, pursuing procurement from China and Russia as commanders claim confidence in preventing renewed conflict.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Stacks of Iranian rials and US dollars sit counted on a table in an unofficial currency exchange shop, Tehran, Iran, Aug. 6, 2025.

Analysis

Old sanctions, new risks: Iran’s economy hampered by war fallout, China reliance

Europe’s move to revive UN sanctions against Iran comes amid growing economic strain for a country already buckling under war damage, domestic crises and a plunging currency.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

An Edge 130 Blue small, unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing takes off to perform flight demonstrations to partner nations during BRIGHT STAR 2025 at Talet Al Keif, Egypt.

Pentagon kicks off Bright Star war games in Egypt with 1,500 US troops

US Central Command is seeking to firm up Washington’s sway with Egypt's leaders amid signs of instability, as China expands its own leverage over the strategic state that controls the Suez Canal.