Middle East

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha in Riyadh on Jan. 25. 
Comment

Southeast Asia, Gulf nations draw closer as U.S.-China row deepens

Caught in a tug-of-war, 'middle powers' seek to balance security, economic gains

7 October 2022
Many OPEC members rely heavily on revenue from oil exports.
Commodities

Line in the sand: OPEC+ defends $80 oil price floor with output cut

Anticipated drop in demand puts budgets at risk for Saudi Arabia and UAE

6 October 2022
The U.S. had pushed OPEC not to proceed with the cuts, arguing that fundamentals don't support them, a source familiar with the matter said.
Commodities

OPEC+ agrees to cut output 2m barrels a day despite U.S. pressure

Saudi Arabia and other group members have said they seek to prevent volatility

6 October 2022
A booth promoting digital yuan during the China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing on Sept. 1: The People's Bank of China has declared that the digital currency is technically ready for cross-border use.
Opinion

China and Gulf states share interest in taking digital yuan global

Both see value in developing alternative to dollar-centered financial system

5 October 2022
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Central Bank Gov. Sahap Kavcioglu in Ankara on June 8: Kavcioglu has embraced Erdogan's ideas.
Opinion

Turkey's monetary experiment holds lessons for Asia's central banks

Blindly following the Federal Reserve's rate moves brings risks to region

3 October 2022
Residents of Riyadh dressed as anime and movie characters walk along a street, as they take part in a two-day costume event in the Saudi capital in March 2022. 
Comment

Can Gulf oil producers turn boom into new riches?

Countries face last chance to leverage fuel reserves amid decarbonization

28 September 2022
The Japanese government is introducing legislation that aims to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges as strictly as banks and strengthen the monitoring of money laundering.
Cryptocurrencies

Japan cryptocurrency transfer rules take aim at money laundering

Government will require exchanges to share customer information

27 September 2022
Pro-government demonstrators wave Iranian flags during their rally condemning recent protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.
Iran tensions

Calm days but furious nights in Iran as protests spiral

At least 41 dead as demonstrations spread to London, Paris

27 September 2022
Turkish drone Bayraktar Akinci exhibited at Teknofest aerospace and technology festival in Baku, Azerbaijan in May. 
International relations

Turkey ready to sell drones to Japan: foreign minister

Cavusoglu says both countries have potential to deepen defense ties

26 September 2022
The logo of the Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing 2019
Belt and Road

China slows foreign lending as Belt and Road problem loans triple

Sri Lanka falls into debt crisis while Pakistan is strapped for cash

20 September 2022
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Sept. 16. 
International relations

Turkey's Erdogan targets joining China-led SCO: media

Ankara is currently 'dialogue partner' of grouping that includes Russia and India

18 September 2022
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi arrives for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Sept. 14. (Ministry of Uzbekistan/Handout via Reuters) 
Energy

Clock ticks on Iran nuclear talks as geopolitics hinder progress

Washington needs Saudi and Gulf partners in showdown with China, analyst says

16 September 2022
Ooredoo is believed to rank lowest in terms of subscribers among the country's four wireless carriers.
Telecommunication

Qatari telecom Ooredoo to exit Myanmar, following Norway's Telenor

Business will be sold to Singapore-based company with local ties

9 September 2022
Drones, such as TB2 shown here, are effective in naval warfare as well as land wars, Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar told Nikkei Asia. (Photo by Cevahir Bugu)
Interview

Drones will play role in any Taiwan conflict: Turkey's Baykar

CEO says company will supply Pakistan over India in South Asia

6 September 2022
A grower picks apples from tightly packed trees in a Kashmir orchard. High-density planting is increasingly popular in the region. (Photo by Kaleem Geelani) 
Agriculture

Ripe for change: Kashmir apple orchards get modern overhaul

Some farmers switch to high-density planting to help profits grow

6 September 2022
Saudi Arabia plans to back later-stage startups in Indonesia through a proposed joint fund. (Source image by AP/Reuters)
DealStreetAsia

Saudi Arabia to back Indonesia startups through joint fund

Middle Eastern kingdom is pushing toward a post-oil economy

5 September 2022
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Podcast

Asia Stream: Turkey's Rise on the World Stage

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's quest to restore his nation's great-power status began when the AKP took control of the government 20 years ago. We discuss Turkey's role in the world today.

3 September 2022
A galvanizing line at a Tosyali Toyo plant. (Photo courtesy of Danieli)
Companies

Japanese-Turkish steelmaker to invest $200m to double tin plate output

Tosyali Toyo aims to meet pandemic-driven demand for safer food packaging

30 August 2022
Indian cricket franchises eyeing new markets have tasted success with the IPL, where fat paychecks and unwavering supporter loyalty have lured players and sponsors from across the globe.
Media & Entertainment

Indian cricket franchises aim to hit big in overseas leagues

But experts warn stunning success of Indian Premier League is hard to replicate

29 August 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of their meeting in New Delhi on Dec. 6. 2021.
Comment

India attempts to diversify energy sources with cheap Russian oil

Despite Western pressure, New Delhi says more imports from Moscow are best for nation

29 August 2022
A major project aims to turn Belawan into a major Southeast Asian transportation and maritime hub.
DealStreetAsia

Group backed by Indonesia wealth fund to invest in Belawan Port

Deal part of Sumatra infrastructure push to turn island into major maritime hub

26 August 2022
Gwadar's seafront under development in February 2021: Local experts say a railway is crucial to make the city a successful major port.
Belt and Road

Oman offer to build Gwadar railway conjures Pakistan port's past

Singaporean investment also weighed as Belt and Road stop lacks train access

24 August 2022
Analysts say an EU ban on Russian seaborne oil, set to take effect on Dec. 5, gives the bloc added incentive to secure a deal that would ease sanctions on Iranian oil.
Commodities

What an Iran nuclear deal would mean for strained oil markets

1 million barrels per day of Iranian output would spell relief for the EU

21 August 2022
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would be the first Japanese leader to visit the Middle East in over two and a half years.
International relations

Japan PM Kishida eyes visits to Kuwait and Qatar this month

Leader to engage in energy diplomacy amid rising prices

16 August 2022
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Afghanistan turmoil

Afghan women still facing difficulties, one year on

Refugees' plight continues even after fleeing Taliban-controlled homeland

15 August 2022