Middle East

A Qatari court recently sentenced eight former Indian Navy personnel to death on uncertain grounds, prompting a diplomatic scramble in New Delhi.
International relations

India lobbies for 8 nationals facing death penalty in Qatar

Murky case of ex-navy officers will test New Delhi's prowess and leverage

2 November 2023
A pro-Palestine rally at the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok on Oct. 21: Thais need to understand that sympathy for Palestinians does not imply disloyalty to Thailand.
Opinion

Israel-Hamas war has awakened anti-Muslim hate in Thailand

Despite toll of violence on country's migrant workers, most do not want to go home

1 November 2023
A poster of founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is displayed on a building in Istanbul as part of events marking the 100th anniversary of modern Turkey.
The Nikkei View

Turkey at 100: Its global role is more important than ever

Ankara should leverage its strengths to promote regional stability

1 November 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during a rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 24.
Middle East crisis

For Malaysia's Anwar, Israel-Hamas war is both personal and political

Analysts see genuine pro-Palestinian advocacy as well as a bid for Islamic credibility

1 November 2023
Women gather near the main entrance of the University of Tehran on Oct. 24. Despite laws requiring women to cover their hair with a hijab, not everyone complies.
Tea Leaves

Life as a woman in Iran, uncensored

Challenges remain, but there has been real change in recent decades

1 November 2023
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party held a massive pro-Palestine rally on Saturday, in the same weekend as Republic Day celebrations. 
Middle East crisis

Turkey's Erdogan calls Hamas a 'liberation group,' blames Israel

Ruling party held pro-Palestine rally ahead of centennial celebrations

31 October 2023
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, behind the wheel, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, were all smiles in Riyadh. Companies from their countries signed dozens of business deals.
Business Spotlight

From EVs to digital, South Korea bags deals in tense Middle East

Hyundai, Naver join Yoon during his business-focused trip to Saudi Arabia and Qatar

27 October 2023
A man takes part in a cybersecurity training session in Israel. 
Middle East crisis

Israel-Hamas war draws Russian, Indian 'hacktivists' into shadow conflict

Escalation could lead to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, experts say

27 October 2023
Students from the Hebrew University in Israel visited the Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall, in his birth prefecture of Gifu, in September. (Photo courtesy of Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall)
Middle East crisis

Birthplace of 'Japan's Schindler' sees tourism falter amid Israel-Hamas war

Visits to Chiune Sugihara memorial were growing before conflict broke out

25 October 2023
A woman uses her smartphone in Gaza in 2022: The ongoing Israel-Hamas war is fast-moving and the many gaps in information leave room for misinformation to take root.
Opinion

Israel-Hamas war shows the formidable power of narrative

Democratic governments need to build societal resilience to manipulation

24 October 2023
South Korean and Saudi Arabian companies agreed to joint energy and infrastructure projects amid a bilateral investment forum held Oct. 22.
International relations

South Korea snags 46 Saudi Arabia energy, infrastructure projects

Hyundai, Posco and others collaborate on Riyadh's Vision 2030 economic reforms

24 October 2023
Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz: In 2018, 76% of crude oil traveling through the strait was bound for Asia.
Opinion

India, Japan and South Korea should work together to protect shipping

Renewed Middle East fighting highlights energy security vulnerability

23 October 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden delivered a prime-time address to the nation calling for support for Israel, as well as for Ukraine.
Middle East crisis

Biden invokes FDR's 'arsenal of democracy' to boost arms making

Budget request includes additional funding for submarines to Australia under AUKUS

22 October 2023
Indonesian soccer chief Erick Thohir, left, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Jakarta in October 2022. Indonesia has dropped plans for a bid to jointly host the 2034 World Cup.
Sports

Southeast Asia misses 'best shot' for 2034 World Cup bid

Indonesia gives surprise backing for Saudia Arabia's pitch to host soccer showcase

21 October 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met on Oct. 19 ahead of a broader summit of Southeast Asian and Gulf leaders. (Photo courtesy of Indonesia's presidential office)
21 October 2023
Damage from an apparent Israeli strike in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Oct. 20. China says it is pushing for a cease-fire and wants to facilitate peace talks.
Middle East crisis

China's Middle East envoy visits region gripped by Israel-Hamas crisis

Political analysts consider Zhai Jun's trip to be largely for show

20 October 2023
The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, the third Bosporus bridge linking the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, is to have a railway added to increase freight transport capacity.
International relations

Turkey pushes $25bn Iraq transport route over India-Europe corridor

Minister says Israel-Hamas war shows 'security problems' with plan hatched at G20

20 October 2023
India's Adani Ports and local partner Gadot Group bought Israel's Port of Haifa for $1.2 billion. 
Middle East crisis

Adani Group 'very confident' in Israel port as conflict rages

Indian conglomerate's maritime unit reportedly eyeing Mediterranean investment

19 October 2023
Thai workers who were evacuated from Israel arrive at a military airport in Bangkok on Oct. 16. Thailand has been a big source of labor for Israel's agricultural sector.
Middle East crisis

How Thai workers became integral to Israel's economy

Experts say arrangement was 'strategic decision' to replace Palestinian labor

18 October 2023
A satellite photo provided by Planet Labs shows many objects near the northern Gaza region that appear to be vehicles.
Middle East crisis

Satellite images reveal 400 vehicles in Israel near northern Gaza

Ground invasion of besieged area could be imminent, analysis suggests

16 October 2023
Turkish and Japanese chairs of the Turkey-Japan Business Council sign a joint declaration after a meeting in Izmir on Oct. 10. (Courtesy of DEIK)
Trade

Japan Inc. calls for Turkey trade deal to be tied up

Ankara wants more concessions before committing

14 October 2023
Tel Aviv, on Israel's Mediterranean coast, has become a hub of tech startups and entrepreneurial activity in recent years. 
Middle East crisis

Over 500 VC firms voice support for Israeli startups amid war

U.S. and Asian investors have poured billions into Middle Eastern tech hub

14 October 2023
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken embraces a dual-citizen woman who attended the rave dance party that was attacked by Hamas.
Middle East crisis

Gaza humanitarian crisis looms, Blinken condemns Hamas depravity

Syria says Israeli air strikes hits airports in Damascus and Aleppo

13 October 2023
Pakistan's cautious statements on the Israel-Hamas war have attracted attention, given the country's typically strident pro-Palestinian stance. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Reuters)
Middle East crisis

Pakistan adopts careful tone on Israel, experts read between lines

Economic crisis and long-term foreign policy goals seen keeping Islamabad cautious

12 October 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stopped short of calling the Hamas attacks "terrorism" in his first comments on the violence. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Middle East crisis

Japan tries for balanced diplomatic response to Israel-Hamas war

With Middle East largest source of oil imports, PM Kishida urges restraint

11 October 2023