An image of Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is seen in a welcome advertisement in Seoul on Nov. 16. The desert kingdom's de facto ruler is visiting South Korea.
Business deals

Saudi Arabia inks deals with Samsung, Hyundai and other companies

Crown prince discusses NEOM smart-city project, defense with South Korea's leader

17 November 2022
Containers at Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi. An uptick in political engagement between key Asian and Gulf economies noted by experts is expected to result in tangible deals that will drive trade growth.
Trade

Saudi and Gulf state trade with emerging Asia to rise 60% by 2030

U.K. think tank says 'uptick in political engagement' boosts economic ties

7 November 2022
A drone believed to be an Iranian-made Shahed-136 flies over Kyiv in October.
Ukraine war

Ukraine war becomes showcase for military drone tech

Reported supply to Russia shows Iran's ability to work around sanctions, but may not last

3 November 2022
A newspaper with a cover picture of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died after being arrested by the Islamic Republic's "morality police" is seen in Tehran on Sept. 18. 
Society

Iran protests about more than women's rights

Citizens frustrated with decades of repression, economic misery

31 October 2022
Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh will host the 27th annual United Nations climate change conference (COP27) from Nov. 6 to 18.
Your Week in Asia

Vietnam leader in China, Hong Kong investment summit, COP 27

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

30 October 2022
A police motorcycle burns during a protest in Tehran on Sept. 19, left, while people relax on a street near the ocean on the Iranian island of Kish on Oct. 17. (Source photos by Reuters and Tala Taslimi) 
Iran tensions

Alternative realities and uncertain times in Iran

A Nikkei reporter describes her life in the country during a period of unrest

25 October 2022
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha in Riyadh on Jan. 25. 
Comment

Southeast Asia, Gulf nations draw closer as U.S.-China row deepens

Caught in a tug-of-war, 'middle powers' seek to balance security, economic gains

7 October 2022
The Japanese government is introducing legislation that aims to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges as strictly as banks and strengthen the monitoring of money laundering.
Cryptocurrencies

Japan cryptocurrency transfer rules take aim at money laundering

Government will require exchanges to share customer information

27 September 2022
Pro-government demonstrators wave Iranian flags during their rally condemning recent protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.
Iran tensions

Calm days but furious nights in Iran as protests spiral

At least 41 dead as demonstrations spread to London, Paris

27 September 2022
Turkish drone Bayraktar Akinci exhibited at Teknofest aerospace and technology festival in Baku, Azerbaijan in May. 
International relations

Turkey ready to sell drones to Japan: foreign minister

Cavusoglu says both countries have potential to deepen defense ties

26 September 2022
The logo of the Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing 2019
Belt and Road

China slows foreign lending as Belt and Road problem loans triple

Sri Lanka falls into debt crisis while Pakistan is strapped for cash

20 September 2022
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Sept. 16. 
International relations

Turkey's Erdogan targets joining China-led SCO: media

Ankara is currently 'dialogue partner' of grouping that includes Russia and India

18 September 2022
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi arrives for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Sept. 14. (Ministry of Uzbekistan/Handout via Reuters) 
Energy

Clock ticks on Iran nuclear talks as geopolitics hinder progress

Washington needs Saudi and Gulf partners in showdown with China, analyst says

16 September 2022
Drones, such as TB2 shown here, are effective in naval warfare as well as land wars, Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar told Nikkei Asia. (Photo by Cevahir Bugu)
Interview

Drones will play role in any Taiwan conflict: Turkey's Baykar

CEO says company will supply Pakistan over India in South Asia

6 September 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of their meeting in New Delhi on Dec. 6. 2021.
Comment

India attempts to diversify energy sources with cheap Russian oil

Despite Western pressure, New Delhi says more imports from Moscow are best for nation

29 August 2022
Gwadar's seafront under development in February 2021: Local experts say a railway is crucial to make the city a successful major port.
Belt and Road

Oman offer to build Gwadar railway conjures Pakistan port's past

Singaporean investment also weighed as Belt and Road stop lacks train access

24 August 2022
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would be the first Japanese leader to visit the Middle East in over two and a half years.
International relations

Japan PM Kishida eyes visits to Kuwait and Qatar this month

Leader to engage in energy diplomacy amid rising prices

16 August 2022
Stream article image
Afghanistan turmoil

Afghan women still facing difficulties, one year on

Refugees' plight continues even after fleeing Taliban-controlled homeland

15 August 2022
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
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
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
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