Middle East

Tugboats sail Thursday beside the Ever Given, the giant containership that became lodged in the Suez Canal. (Photo courtesy of the Suez Canal Authority)
Economy

Suez Canal faces prolonged blockage, sparking fear for exporters

Ever Given operator seeks new plan to dislodge massive containership

26 March 2021
Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman's suggestion that India dip into its strategic oil reserves to make up for production cuts implemented by the OPEC+ group of countries was little more than a defensive ploy.
Opinion

Saudi-Indian clash over oil prices a losing battle all around

Exporters risk collateral damage from overly tightening market

25 March 2021
A lone excavator works to dislodge the Ever Given container ship at the Suez Canal Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Suez Canal Authority)
Transportation

Blocked Suez Canal raises new threat to global supply chains

Crude prices gain as crucial world shipping choke point is cut off

25 March 2021
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit six countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran.
International relations

China's foreign minister on Mideast tour as US steps back

Wang Yi to tap shared irritation over Washington's human rights push

25 March 2021
Marubeni owns part of the Sweihan megasolar plant in the United Arab Emirates, one of the world's largest at 1.17 gigawatts.
Climate Change

Marubeni to build first Saudi megasolar plant, targets 2023 opening

Japan company expands skill and footprint with fourth Middle East solar project

23 March 2021
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seen on a screen as he gestures during a video call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Charles Michel, in Brussels on March 19. 
Economy

Turkish lira falls 16% after Erdogan sacks central bank chief

President's opposition to high rates and interference in policy spooks market

22 March 2021
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin walks on the red carpet with acting-Afghan Minister of Defense Yasin Zia as they review an honor guard at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan on March 21. (Presidential Palace via AP)
International relations

US defense chief visits Afghanistan and meets President Ghani

Austin says Washington wants 'responsible end to this conflict'

22 March 2021
A woman receives a vaccination in Tel Aviv on Feb. 18: Israel's vaccine program is the envy of the world.
Opinion

Israel's vaccination rollout shows the world how it is done

COVID-19 will accelerate the digitalization of Asian health care

16 March 2021
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's abhorrence of high interest rates resulted in close to 15% inflation in 2020.
Asia Insight

Erdogan swallows 'bitter pills' as inflation again rocks Turkey

Architect of past growth blasts president for letting currency slide and cash flee

16 March 2021
Getir pioneered fast deliveries of ice cream, chips and other cravings to customers in Turkey. (Photo courtesy of the company)
Interview

Turkey delivery startup Getir makes its way to Europe and Asia

Quick last-mile grocery shipment with own stocks to be copied overseas

15 March 2021
Rafael Grossi, the International Atomic Energy Agency's director-general, speaks to Nikkei at IAEA headquarters in Vienna on March 12. (Photo by Markus Igel)
Interview

Iran uranium enrichment nears critical level: IAEA chief

Rafael Grossi says more robust inspections needed as US tries diplomacy

14 March 2021
A prototype of the Altay tank for which Turkey is hoping to develop and build with the help of South Korean companies. 
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Turkey turns to South Korean companies to help build battle tank

Ankara seeks new partners in arms production as the West and Japan block sales

12 March 2021
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif looks on during a meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi in Tehran.
International relations

Japan urges Iran to take 'constructive approach' to Biden overtures

Tokyo's strong ties with Tehran and Washington could give it role in deal

11 March 2021
Clinical trials for Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccines are being conducted in Turkey.
COVID vaccines

Sinovac's COVID-19 shot is 83% effective, not 91%, Turkey says

Result differs widely from Brazil test, prompting criticism over varied methods

4 March 2021
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, pictured in September 2018: she would be loath to trigger passionate sentiments among religious factions.
Opinion

Is Bangladesh moving to normalize relations with Israel?

Increased cooperation offers clear benefits for both countries

1 March 2021
Previously off-limits to leisure travelers, Saudi Arabia has launched an ambitious campaign to attract international visitors, the cornerstone of which is an online 90-day tourist visa application service available to 49 countries. (Photo courtesy of Seera)
Life

Saudi Arabia tries to come in from the cold

Global tourism campaign aims to draw 100 million annual visitors by 2030

27 February 2021
U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday directed U.S. military airstrikes in eastern Syria against facilities belonging to what the Pentagon said were Iran-backed militia. 
Iran tensions

US launches airstrikes against Iranian-backed militia in Syria

Pentagon spokesman says Biden will 'act to protect American and Coalition personnel'

26 February 2021
China is conducting transactions with the digital yuan on a trial basis in Beijing and other major cities.(Photo by Iori Kawate)
Currencies

Thailand and UAE join China's global digital currency push

By pioneering payments in virtual money, Beijing aims to internationalize yuan

25 February 2021
Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Prime Minister Imran Khan. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are finding more areas of common interest, like Arabian Sea security.
International relations

Pakistan efforts to mend fences with Saudi-led bloc bear fruit

Islamabad also maintains strong ties with counter-alliance of Turkey and Iran

22 February 2021
The world's oil exporters, including shale oil producers in the U.S., have been unusually like-minded about curtailing output.
Market Spotlight

Oil market bounces back from COVID depths on vaccine optimism

Further increases depend on OPEC+ countries' ability to maintain output cuts

22 February 2021
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing speaks during a Feb. 3 meeting. (MRTV/Handout via REUTERS) 
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar junta targets sweeping data access with cybersecurity bill

Telecoms face content and service controls, and civil groups cite privacy threat

12 February 2021
Israel Defense Forces personnel conduct epidemiological investigations at the Corona Task Force Headquarters in Ramle -- part of the IDF's COVID-19 response, which also includes a data-gathering "Knowledge Center."
Coronavirus

Israel military minds aid COVID battle and rapid vaccine rollout

IDF intelligence-led project soaks up knowledge as Asia plays catch-up

10 February 2021
Qatar plans to boost annual LNG output capacity to 126 million tons by 2027. (Photo courtesy of Qatargas)
Engineering & Construction

Japan's Chiyoda wins $13bn bid for LNG plants in Qatar

Planned export hub for Asia-bound shipments includes carbon-capture facilities

9 February 2021
A South Korean-flagged tanker that was seized by Iran is seen in the Persian Gulf off the Iranian coast on Jan. 4.
Iran tensions

South Korea and Iran remain split over tanker seizure issue

Seoul caught between pressures from Washington and Tehran

6 February 2021
A woman receives a coronavirus vaccine at a pop-up facility in Jerusalem: Israel has been a leader in vaccinating its people against COVID-19, with more than 20% having received both shots.
Coronavirus

Israel sees big drop in COVID cases among vaccinated

Early results show aggressive campaign can pave way out of pandemic

6 February 2021