Middle East: News & Insights

Nikkei Markets

Asian stocks fall as Middle East tensions rise

After US airstrike kills Iran general, oil price bump boosts related shares

3 January 2020

A woman believed to be Carole Ghosn, wife of former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn, leaves a house in Beirut, Lebanon, by car on Jan. 2.

Interview

Ghosn chose Lebanon because of supportive government: lawyer

Neither Lebanon nor France will extradite former Nissan chairman, attorney says

3 January 2020

Former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn was awaiting trial in Japan on financial charges before fleeing house arrest. (Nikkei collage/AP photo)

Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Interpol issues 'wanted' notice for Carlos Ghosn

Turkey detains seven individuals, while Tokyo prosecutors raid residence

3 January 2020

Former Nissan Motor chief Carlos Ghosn was disguised as a construction worker for his initial release on bail in March in an attempt to avoid attention. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)

Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Ghosn said to flee Japan hidden in musical instrument case

Surprise escape to Lebanon without extradition treaty risks stalling Tokyo trial

1 January 2020

Japan imports 80% of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz, near where two tankers were attacked in June.

Energy

Japan oil majors seek safer supply via Abu Dhabi exchange

JXTG and Inpex to invest in market that bypasses volatile Strait of Hormuz

1 January 2020

Carlos Ghosn leaves his lawyer's office in Tokyo in April 2019. The former Nissan chairman has said he will start communicating with the media next week -- from Lebanon. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu)

Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Carlos Ghosn flies to Lebanon despite order to await trial in Japan

Ex-Nissan chairman says he escaped 'injustice and political persecution'

31 December 2019

Aramco's initial public offering on the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh on Dec. 11 set a new record for money raised, at $25.6 billion. It is the most valuable company in the world.

Comment

Aramco's IPO has lessons for Asia's state-owned oil companies

Stock listings offer cash and professionalism, but the politics are tricky

29 December 2019

MSDF ships and planes will be dispatched to the Middle East to conduct "survey and research" operations.

International relations

Japan Cabinet approves MSDF units' dispatch to Middle East

Move marks first overseas operations since security-related laws enacted in 2015

27 December 2019

Technology

India democracy questioned on spyware and data bill

WhatsApp users were allegedly targeted by tool developed by Israeli startup

25 December 2019

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad delivers a speech at the Kuala Lumpur Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 19.

International relations

Mahathir's Muslim summit turns Malaysia-Saudi ties bitter

The kingdom may cut hajj pilgrimage quotas for Malaysians in retaliation

24 December 2019

According to the latest petition from the government, Reliance is seeking to sell stake in the refining and petrochemicals business to pare its $41 billion of debt, after which it may be difficult to get the dues it owes the government.

Energy

Reliance challenges move to block stake sale to Saudi Aramco

Government seeks to halt deal amid revenue-sharing dispute

23 December 2019

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Saturday night after speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Masayuki Terazawa)

N Korea at crossroads

Trump and Abe hold 'thorough' talks on North Korea

Phone call comes after special envoy fails to access Pyongyang

22 December 2019

Malaysia will soon produce its own weapons in a deal signed with Turkey's Tisas Trabzon Silah Sanayi.

Aerospace & Defense Industries

Malaysia to build first domestic arms factory with Turkish help

Kuala Lumpur wants to make its own firearms and cut reliance on overseas providers

19 December 2019

A crude oil terminal in Ningbo Zhoushan port, China: Asian importers will need to continue accelerating the building of their strategic oil reserves.

Opinion

Trade war and strong dollar threaten Asia's oil security in 2020

Oil prices were benign in 2019 but have significant potential to swing

17 December 2019

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe greets Iran's President Hassan Rouhani in 2014.

Your Week in Asia

Xi visits Macao, Chinese corporate debt and Rouhani in Japan

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

15 December 2019

Interview

Istanbul mayor says Erdogan hurting Turkish democracy and economy

Ekrem Imamoglu plans to visit Japan and China to seek investment in city

2 December 2019

Retired Alibaba Group Chairman Jack Ma, right, and SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son.

Your Week in Asia

Saudi Aramco IPO, Nissan's new CEO and Jack Ma in Tokyo

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

1 December 2019

Saudi Arabia may deny any connection between the Aramco listing and its decisions at the helm of OPEC.

Opinion

IPO puts Saudi Aramco under Asian oil buyers' spotlight

Exporter will need to carefully balance expectations of investors and customers

29 November 2019

Hyflux has reached a restructuring agreement with Utico that will see the Middle Eastern utility take a 95% stake in the troubled water treatment firm. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)

Business deals

Hyflux reaches $290m deal with Middle Eastern savior

UAE's Utico to acquire 95% of embattled Singapore water company

26 November 2019

Formally known as the Saudi Arabian Oil Co., Saudi Aramco is one of the world's largest oil and gas company.

Interview

Aramco IPO to spur model economic reform: Saudi foreign minister

Prince Faisal sees upsides to less than $2 trillion valuation

23 November 2019

Saudi Aramco would become the world's most valuable public company under share prices announced Nov. 17.

Companies

Saudi Aramco plans record $25.6bn IPO, topping Alibaba

Crown prince concedes on $2tn valuation to fund economic reforms

18 November 2019

A Chinese freight train travels through the Marmaray Tunnel under the Bosporus in Istanbul early Thursday. The journey was the first uninterrupted freight train journey from Turkey to Europe, transporting cargo from China while skirting Russia. (Anatolia News Agency)

Belt and Road

Chinese freight train skirts Russia on new route into Europe

Japan-built Bosporus tunnel allows Beijing to diversify cargo transportation

9 November 2019

An Indian farmer uses a pair of oxen to plow a rice field. The Trump administration has identified India as a wealthy country that unfairly declares developing nation status.

International relations

Trump set to take WTO 'developing nation' battle to next level

Asian countries under pressure after South Korea acquiesces to US demand

31 October 2019

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son reiterates his case for AI investments, in a screenshot from a stream of the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 30. (Photo courtesy of the Future Investment Initiative)

Companies

SoftBank's Son defends Vision Fund at Saudi conference

CEO vows to provide AI innovators 'cash to fight' despite WeWork woes

31 October 2019

India's main palm oil trade group has asked its members to refrain from importing Malaysian palm oil.

Kashmir turmoil

Indian anger at Malaysia's Kashmir stance threatens palm oil trade

Mahathir's 'unprovoked' and 'unacceptable' remarks prompt talk of boycott

26 October 2019