Middle East

The 1989 fatwa issued by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini calling for the death of author Salman Rushdie remains intact. (Source photo by AP)
Terrorism

Iranians fear attack on Salman Rushdie will derail nuclear deal

Tehran denies link to U.S.-born suspect, reportedly backer of Revolutionary Guard

15 August 2022
Hadi Matar, 24, arrives for an arraignment in the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville, N.Y. on Aug. 13.
Politics

Salman Rushdie attack suspect pleads not guilty through attorney

Prosecutor argues against bail, citing presence of fatwa

14 August 2022
Ronesans Holding President Erman Ilicak says his company is looking to expand its partnerships with Japanese peers. (Source photos by Sinan Tavsan and screenshot of company website)
Engineering & Construction

Turkey's top contractor seeks annual $1bn in projects with Japan peers

Ronesans Holding plans to boost ventures at home and abroad, reduce Russia exposure

8 August 2022
The logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). OPEC+, which includes Russia and other producers, announced on Wednesday an output hike of 100,000 barrels a day to start next month.
Commodities

Russia looms large behind OPEC+ output hike decision

Experts see country's role affecting group's bid to prevent sharp fall in prices

6 August 2022
Taliban fighters stand guard in Kabul on May 9: Most of the security challenges are Asian challenges that will require an Asian solution.
Opinion

Afghanistan is now an Asian problem

Area states should work together to address security concerns

3 August 2022
Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC co-led the $300 million fundraising round for Taibang Biologic.
Pharmaceuticals

Chinese biopharma Taibang raises $300m, stirs relisting murmurs

Investment in former China Biologic led by Singapore, Abu Dhabi funds

2 August 2022
A firefighter works to douse a fire in a building, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Mykolaiv, in this handout picture released on July 31. 
Ukraine war: Free to read

Ukraine from July 8 to Aug. 1: Russian strikes kill Ukrainian grain tycoon

Grain ship leaves port of Odesa, Ukrainian minister says; Gazprom cuts gas to Latvia

1 August 2022
The memorandum of understanding signed by Vietnam Airlines and Turkish Airlines may bring codesharing on passenger routes connecting Istanbul with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo courtesy of Vietnam Airlines)
Transportation

Vietnam, Turkey flag carriers explore codeshare deal

Agreement opens door to better connections from Vietnam to Africa and Middle East

22 July 2022
A protester waves the Sri Lankan flag outside then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's office in Colombo on July 13. With the post now vacant, an election is to be held on July 20.
Your Week in Asia

Sri Lanka elects new president, Japan CPI, Thailand no-confidence vote

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

17 July 2022
Most of the museum's artworks in the treasury were hand-picked by former Queen Farah Pahlavi, and largely funded by the National Iranian Oil Co.
Arts

Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art hides its treasures away

Built as monument to old regime, it 'has lost its spirit,' draws few visitors

17 July 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden descends from Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel on July 13. 
International relations

Biden flies from Tel Aviv to Jeddah in historic flight

President begins controversial Saudi Arabia visit with eye on oil prices

15 July 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden will see a demonstration of Israel's laser defense technology during his visit to the country on July 13. (Source photos by Reuters and screenshot from Israel Ministry of Defense's YouTube page)
Indo-Pacific

U.S. and Israel zap drones with lasers in plan for futuristic fights

Biden to view new tech during visit as Washington prepares for 2027 China threat

12 July 2022
The Middle East that U.S. President Joe Biden visits this week is a drastically different region from where former President Donald Trump visited in 2017. (Source photos Reuters)  
International relations

Biden to embark on realpolitik Middle East tour: 5 things to watch

Will Israel-Saudi rapprochement compensate for meeting with crown prince?

11 July 2022
Garuda Indonesia is lookijng for partners as it seeks to rebuild after skirting bankruptcy.
Transportation

Garuda Indonesia pitches strategic tie-ups with Emirates, Etihad

State airline eyes new start with $499m government support after near bankruptcy

6 July 2022
The flagship Moskva and Snake Island were supposed to be pillars of Russia's A2/AD in the Black Sea. (Source photos by AFP/Jiji and Planet Labs PBC/Reuters) 
Ukraine war

Russia's failure to cement Black Sea dominance has lessons for China

Moscow's withdrawal from strategic Snake Island shows 'A2/AD' is not easy

5 July 2022
The world is split into three major political blocs, with "neutral" powers like India and Turkey gaining influence by playing the two old camps, Western and Russia-China, off against each other.
Comment

Tripolar world ushered in by the rise of 'neutral' powers

India, Turkey, others aim to expand influence through delicate balancing act

3 July 2022
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, objected to Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO, causing headaches for U.S. President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. (Source photos by Reuters) 
International relations

Turkey scores with NATO brinkmanship, flexing geopolitical veto

Erdogan signals to Biden he's a dealmaker, but leaves bitter aftertaste among allies

1 July 2022
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, left, and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid embrace each other at the end of a session at the plenum at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem on June 30.
Politics

Israel heads to Nov 1 election with Lapid as caretaker PM

Vote will be the country's fifth in less than four years

30 June 2022
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu shakes hands with Swedish counterpart Ann Linde after signing a document during a NATO summit in Madrid on June 28.
International relations

NATO formally invites Sweden and Finland to join alliance

Madrid summit communique also cites Russia as 'threat' and China as challenge

29 June 2022
From left, Baykar's three unmanned vehicles the Akinci, a prototype of the Kizilelma and the Bayraktar TB2 are seen at the company's factory located near Istanbul.
Ukraine war

With drone gift to Ukraine, Turkey's Baykar wins fans and clients

Defense contractor sends three TB2s to Kyiv in nod to crowdfunding drive

29 June 2022
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Finland's President Sauli Niinisto, Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu Sweden's Foreign Minister Ann Linde and Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto prepare to sign a document during a NATO summit in Madrid on June 28. 
International relations

Finland, Sweden advance to join NATO as Turkey retracts opposition

Breakthrough comes after the 3 countries sign joint memorandum

29 June 2022
Gas prices over the $5 mark are advertised at a gas station in Encinitas, California, on May 9: Drawing a straight line between Biden urging Saudi leaders to pump more oil, the Kingdom obliging and prices taking a tumble would be overly simplistic.
Opinion

Do not expect Biden's Saudi Arabia visit to work miracles

U.S. leverage undermined by policy U-turns and Riyadh's cozy ties with Russia

28 June 2022
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stands alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman at a welcome ceremony in Ankara on June 22. 
International relations

Realist Erdogan embraces Saudi prince with eye on new prizes

A beneficiary of Ukraine war, Mohammed bin Salman beams on comeback tour

24 June 2022
A Chinese vessel sits near oil tanks at a refinery in Dalian, China.
Energy

China's oil imports led by Russia for first time since Ukraine war

Shipments grew 55% in May as Western sanctions depressed demand

22 June 2022
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, left, with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid at the parliament. 
Politics

Israel heads to election as PM Bennett steps aside

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to serve as interim leader

21 June 2022