Middle East

Muslims offer Friday prayers inside Srinagar's Jamia Masjid mosque in August 2021.
Middle East crisis

Kashmir's anger over Gaza simmers as India keeps lid on protests

Ruling party spokesman denies ban, but stresses need for 'law and order'

2 December 2023
Dubai is hosting this year's U.N. climate talks, as the COP28 conference brings together representatives from nearly 200 countries.
COP28

Where Asia stands in climate fight, as COP28 conference opens

Nations move to break coal addiction in transition to green energy

1 December 2023
COP28 President Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber speaks at the opening of the climate conference in Dubai.
COP28

COP28 launches climate fund for vulnerable nations

UAE and EU pledge bulk of initial $400m, while Philippines calls for emission cuts

1 December 2023
Dubai will host COP28 from Nov. 30 through Dec. 12.
COP28

COP28 starts in Dubai: 4 things to know

Countries gather for climate talks at the end of the hottest year

30 November 2023
A banner promoting the South Korean city of Busan's bid for World Expo 2030. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
Economy

Riyadh beats South Korea's Busan to host World Expo 2030

Saudi capital also competed with Rome for the five-yearly event

29 November 2023
From left: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-U.S. President Donald Trump with the foreign ministers of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates after signing the Abraham Accords in 2020.
Comment

Peace in the Middle East must look to Abraham Accords

Common threats from Iran could still push Israel and Arab nations closer

25 November 2023
Palestinians inspect a destroyed building on Nov. 23 where a family was killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
Middle East crisis

Israel and Hamas start first truce in Gaza war

Some hostages to be freed by militants along with Palestinians held by Israelis

24 November 2023
Israel's main military operations in Gaza will likely be followed by years of special operations, Yadlin said.
Middle East crisis

Israeli operations in Gaza to run 5 months: ex-intelligence chief

Eliminating Hamas and saving hostages a tough balancing act, retired general says

22 November 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for unrestricted passage of humanitarian aid to Gaza in a message to a special BRICS summit hosted by South Africa.
Middle East crisis

Xi calls for Gaza cease-fire, release of civilians, at BRICS summit

China's leader seeks 'authoritative' peace conference to solve Palestinian question

22 November 2023
A Houthi fighter stands on the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea in this photo released by the militants on Nov. 20. (Houthi Military Media via Reuters)
Middle East crisis

Red Sea ship hijacking delivers a warning on supply chain risks

Japan-operated vessel reportedly in Yemen; Suez still vital despite threat

21 November 2023
The British-owned Galaxy Leader, operated by NYK Line, was captured in the Red Sea.
Transportation

Cargo ship seizure could affect Japan supply chains, minister says

Crude oil and LNG imports not affected for the time being

21 November 2023
A woman carries a child as displaced Palestinians, who fled their homes due to Israeli strikes, shelter in tents in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Nov. 19.
Middle East crisis

China urges Gaza truce, says Islamic delegation shows 'trust' in Beijing

Chinese government steps up efforts to mediate Israel-Hamas conflict

20 November 2023
Filipinos in Quezon City take part in a global march to end the burning of fossil fuels on Sept. 15. 
Opinion

Oil and gas producers have to do their part in cutting emissions

Until Asia is ready to drop fossil fuels, carbon capture will be key

20 November 2023
Houthi fighters gather during a military maneuver near Yemen's capital, Sanaa.
Middle East crisis

Cargo ship operated by Japan's NYK Line seized in Red Sea

Iran-backed Houthis say it has taken over Israeli ship; crew includes Filipinos but no Japanese

20 November 2023
Gulf airline Emirates recently announced an order for Boeing planes worth $52 billion. (Photo by Shuntaro Fukutomi)
Transportation

Middle Eastern carriers go on shopping spree at Dubai air show

Boeing and Airbus bag orders for over 200 jets as tourism recovers after pandemic

18 November 2023
Eliot Higgins outlined how social media and AI can be used to spread misinformation. (Photo by Yoshimasa Shimizu)
Interview

Bellingcat founder faults Musk for spread of disinformation on X

Eliot Higgins stresses need to verify even official information amid Israel-Hamas war

17 November 2023
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testifies before a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Oct. 31.
Middle East crisis

Austin vows 'additional measures' if attacks on U.S. troops continue

Defense secretary warns pro-Iran groups after latest airstrike in Syria

9 November 2023
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa speaks with reporters on Nov. 8 after meeting with counterparts from the Group of Seven. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
G-7 in Japan

G7 grapples with challenges of Israel-Hamas war, Ukraine and China

Lacking military presence, Japan seen playing limited role in ending fighting

9 November 2023
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa speak as they wait for a group photo session during the G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Tokyo on Nov. 8.
G-7 in Japan

U.S. opposes Israeli reoccupation of Gaza as G7 urges pauses for aid

Foreign ministers met in Tokyo to discuss coordinated response to the conflict

8 November 2023
While advocating for a two-state solution, Ehud Olmert said there is "no room" for a cease-fire in the fighting with Hamas. (Photo by Takeshi Kumon)
Interview

Ex-Israeli PM Olmert urges U.S.-NATO intervention in Gaza after war

Israel must reiterate commitment to two-state solution, former leader says

8 November 2023
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa speaks to reporters on Nov. 7 ahead of a meeting of Group of Seven foreign ministers in Tokyo. (Photo by Yuki Fujita)
G-7 in Japan

Japan treads carefully as Israel-Hamas war tops home G7 agenda

New Foreign Minister Kamikawa has to play a balancing act at Tokyo meeting

7 November 2023
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in 2017. Questions surround China's aims to be a diplomatic power broker in the Middle East.
Asia Insight

Israel-Hamas war tests China's global diplomacy ambitions

Facing calls to influence Iran, Beijing eyes Indo-Pacific and growing U.S. burdens

7 November 2023
Ozgur Ozel, left, will replace Kemal Kilicdaroglu, right, as leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).
Politics

Turkey's main opposition elects Ozgur Ozel as leader before local elections

Kemal Kilicdaroglu's 13-year term ends as party aims to keep grip on key cities

5 November 2023
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, left, on the sidelines of the Nov. 3 summit of the Organization of Turkic States.
International relations

Turkey and France jostle for Central Asia influence as Russia declines

Ankara leads Turkic state summit while Macron visits Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

4 November 2023
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa vows continued diplomatic efforts toward the Israel-Hamas war on Nov. 2. (Photo by Yuki Fujita)
Middle East crisis

Japan foreign minister heads to Israel to urge humanitarian pause

Kamikawa to meet Israeli, Palestinian counterparts as crisis deepens

3 November 2023