Russia, China, Iran to hold joint naval drills in Strait of Hormuz: What to know The drills come as the three countries strengthen their ties amid growing US economic and military pressure on Iran. Iran
Iran dispatches senior official to China amid talks push with US Ahead of his trip to Beijing, Kazem Gharibabadi met with the Russian ambassador to Iran on Tuesday. Iran
UAE launches sovereign open-source AI model K2 Think: What to know The Gulf state is one of the few countries in the world developing its own sovereign open-source AI model to counter the dominance of the United States and China in the sector. United Arab Emirates
Interview Qualcomm sees growing demand for edge AI in the Middle East The Middle East's young population is increasingly adopting AI through mobile devices rather than data center-based solutions, Wassim Chourbaji, Qualcomm's president for the Middle East and Africa, told Al-Monitor. Wassim Chourbaji Qualcomm president for the Middle East & Africa
Analysis Trump dials up risky Iran tariffs that would hit China, UAE and others: What to know By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Interview Youth, strong AI adoption make MENA leading region for smartphones: OPPO Lay Ren President of OPPO MENA
Analysis From Sputnik to satellites: How China is pulling Egypt and Gulf into its space orbit By Dale Aluf In Amsterdam, reporting on China in the Middle East
Analysis Wang Yi’s tour signals China’s quiet push for influence beyond trade By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
China settles first LNG trade in yuan with UAE deal China has held several discussions with countries in the Middle East and North Africa about conducting trade using its local currency. Legacy: Gulf
Saudis joining Shanghai Cooperation Organization as China bromance blossoms Russia, China and a number of former Soviet states in Central Asia created the SCO in 2001 to counter US hegemony in the region. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi crown prince calls China’s Xi following Iran, energy deals The call marked the first time the two leaders spoke since the Saudi-Iran rapprochement deal brokered by China. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia, UAE court China in search for stability with Iran The Arab Gulf states remain cordial and diplomatic as the United States, Russia, China and Iran feud over spying and matters of international law. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt-China relations strengthen with $2 billion factory deal China is making major economic inroads into Egypt along with other countries in the Middle East. Egypt
Iran flexes military muscle after joint naval drills with Russia, China The exercise included China's powerful Nanning warship and coincided with Tehran’s recent diplomatic pushes to reposition itself in the regional power play by adhering to the “look to the East” policy. Iran
Saudi Arabia, Iran FMs to meet 'soon' after phone call Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed earlier this month to resume relations in a deal brokered by China. Legacy: Gulf
Russia surpasses Saudi Arabia as China’s top oil supplier Energy-related cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China remains strong, but Russia and Saudi Arabia will continue to compete for the Chinese oil market in the near future. Legacy: Gulf
10 soldiers killed in Yemen as fighting with Houthis resumes in Marib The fighting in oil-rich Marib is disrupting renewed efforts to end the Yemeni war amid the cautious optimism that has followed the Saudi-Iranian deal. Legacy: Gulf
Pakistan sees opportunities, questions in China's Iran-Saudi deal Having often been caught in the middle between the rivals, Pakistan is looking forward to calmer Saudi-Iran relations and reaping economic benefits through its partner, China. Legacy: Gulf
US officials skeptical of China's deal but concerned about deterring Iran China’s diplomatic reach into heart of Middle East was an unmistakable signal to Washington. Read more in the weekly security-focused newsletter from Al-Monitor’s Pentagon Correspondent Jared Szuba. Legacy: Gulf
Explainer: How Iraq planted the seeds for China's Saudi-Iran deal Iran and Saudi Arabia finalized their negotiations in Beijing after five sessions of mediation in Baghdad since 2019. Legacy: Gulf
