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. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
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
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. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Saudi PIF eyes $27B Japan portfolio as kingdom courts Asian investment Saudi Arabia is strengthening economic ties with Asian countries as it pursues its economic transformation goals. By Jack Dutton 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 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 By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Kuwait, China seek to diversify via Belt and Road Initiative Kuwait has been working on diversifying its national economy in light of economic variables, so it has made efforts to bolster cooperative ties with several partners like China and others to serve Kuwait Vision 2035. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
China looms large in Turkey’s controversial waterway project Turkey is reportedly gearing up to partner with China in the construction of an artificial waterway parallel to the Bosporus, a project with likely implications for Russia and the United States in the Black Sea. Turkey
US aircraft carrier returns to Middle East as Suez Canal opens The USS Eisenhower arrives in the Gulf region as the Biden administration kicks off indirect talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Iran
Zarif throws full weight behind contentious Iran-China deal Iran’s foreign minister went to lengths to reject criticism and justify a long-term deal with China, which many Iranians fear is a package of concessions. Iran
The Takeaway: China moves to elevate its role in Middle East, but faces odds Also: Bibi ignored on Iran; Nile dam mediation; the UAE and Somaliland; Russia and Saudi Arabia; Turkey and Uighurs; the kingdom’s night lights; and more! By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell
Palestinian Authority receives more vaccine doses from China The Palestinian territories as a whole have received more than 100,000 coronavirus vaccine doses from a variety of sources so far. Palestine
Palestinians welcome Chinese peace initiative China, which has a limited role in Middle East peace-making and security, has proposed a five-point initiative to achieve security and stability in the Middle East, including a meeting between Palestinian and Israeli officials in Beijing. Palestine
Can China balance ties with Iran and the GCC? China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi must take care not to "underestimate the differences" between Iran and the GCC countries. Iran
With Netanyahu vulnerable, Israel again ignored by Washington on Iran Knowing he is politically vulnerable, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is silent on Washington’s intention to return to the nuclear deal with Tehran. Israel
Turkey, China assert rapprochement despite Uyghur protests, vaccine delay The Chinese foreign minister’s visit to Turkey reflects the desire of both sides to further develop bilateral ties despite hitches stemming primarily from the widespread public support Uyghurs enjoy in Turkey. Turkey
Iran, China sign long-term economic deal The deal between Iran and China is more of a “road map” than a specific deal. Iran
Uyghurs in Turkey protest Chinese FM's visit Hundreds gathered in both Ankara and Istanbul in protest of what they say is a genocidal campaign against the ethnic group by Beijing. Turkey
