Politics: News & Insights

FNSS, a joint venture between Turkey's Nurol Holding and the U.K.'s BAE Systems, unveiled a medium-weight tank co-developed with Indonesia’s PT Pindad during the Istanbul Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul in May 2017. (Photo by Sinan Tavsan)

International relations

Turkey steps up arms sales to South and Southeast Asia

Ankara seeks to diversify as tensions rise in traditional Middle East markets

12 January 2018

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley discussed North Korea and Iran on Tuesday at U.N. headquarters in New York.

International relations

US won't recognize North-South talks without denuclearization

Ambassador Haley also says Washington will seek Security Council meeting on Iran

3 January 2018

International relations

China's growing clout named the No. 1 risk for 2018

Beijing rises in vacuum left by US retreat, consulting group says

3 January 2018

Gold jewelry on display in Turkey.People in the country like to keep their stash of the precious metal close at hand.

Economy

Turkey's gold-backed bonds: Government in quest for hidden treasures

Public is still not sold on trading precious metal for piles of paper

2 January 2018

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono is received by his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Amman on Dec.26.

Politics

Japan takes up Jerusalem issue, proposes 4-party talks

Tokyo hopes to play mediator to US, Israelis and Palestinians

27 December 2017

Nikki Haley, the American ambassador to the United Nations, vetoes an Egyptian-drafted resolution on the status of Jerusalem during a Security Council meeting Thursday.

Politics

Major Asian nations join UN rebuke of US over Jerusalem

Muslim-majority countries in region decry move, are not cowed by Trump's threats

22 December 2017

McDonald's Malaysia officials at the reopening of an "iconic" outlet in Kuala Lumpur.

Politics

McDonald's Malaysia fends off allegation of link to Israel

Police report raises concerns for Saudi-owned fast-food franchise striving for major expansion

15 December 2017

Members of Nahdlatul Ulama, a large Indonesian Muslim group, protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta on Dec. 8. (Photo by Simon Roughneen)

Politics

Trump's Jerusalem move sparks a backlash in Southeast Asia

Indonesia, Malaysia a lead chorus of criticism as Muslims protest US decision

14 December 2017

The secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Yousef bin Ahmad al-Othaimeen, right, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, center, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas attend a news conference following the OIC meeting in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Politics

Asia's Muslim nations want East Jerusalem seen as Palestinian capital

Calls are response to US recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital

14 December 2017

Protesters condemn Washington's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital outside the U.S. embassy in Jakarta on Dec. 11.

Politics

Indonesians and Malaysians protest Trump's Jerusalem gambit

Widodo, Najib, other leaders to discuss Muslim response in Istanbul

12 December 2017

Transport trucks cross the bridge connecting China and North Korea.

North Korea Crisis

Forty-nine nations breached North Korea sanctions: report

US think tank lists China, Malaysia, Japan as enablers of illicit trade

8 December 2017

China's President Xi Jinping is shown on a screen during the fourth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, China on Dec. 4.

Politics

China toughens web censorship, encourages others to follow

Beijing sees internet controls as a 'question of sovereignty'

5 December 2017

A worker shovels wheat in Kazakhstan's Akmola region. The country aims to develop its agriculture with China.

Asia Insight

China's Belt and Road sparks a battle of the breadbaskets

New infrastructure helps ex-Soviet grain exporters reach Asian markets

30 November 2017

Economy

Saudi Aramco, SABIC sign memo to build huge oil-to-chemicals complex

$20-billion facility slated to open in 2025 will be the largest of its kind

27 November 2017

Economy

Qatar looks to build Asia ties as Gulf isolation drags on

World's top LNG producer wants to import more food and sell more gas

25 November 2017

The planned missile is seen being equipped on the cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighter used by Japan's Air Self-Defense Force. (Courtesy of ASDF)

International relations

Japan and UK to collaborate on missile development

Tokyo's first non-US partnership would develop an air-to-air weapon

24 November 2017

Zimbabweans wave flags to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to Harare on Dec. 1, 2015.

Economy

China hopes for stable partner in Zimbabwe after Mugabe

Outlook unclear after protests against Chinese influence

22 November 2017

Politics

China hopes for stable partner in Zimbabwe after Mugabe

Outlook unclear after protests against Chinese influence

22 November 2017

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh on Oct. 24.

Politics

Saudi Arabia on edge as King Salman seeks succession

Moves to solidify power of the crown prince, abrupt reforms may spark backlash

18 November 2017

Politics

Japan to pay dues again as UNESCO signals reform

Tokyo warms up to shelving of divisive nomination, reform-minded leader

17 November 2017

Rohingya Muslims wait to receive aid at a refugee camp in Ukhiya, Bangladesh.

Politics

UN rebukes Myanmar rights violations against Rohingya

Country rejects resolution calling for accountability against military

17 November 2017

With nothing to hide on his visit to Israel, Ratan Tata met investigators into graft allegations that have been leveled against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Politics

Ratan Tata meets investigators in Netanyahu graft case

Dismisses allegations carried by Israeli media as factually incorrect, 'highly motivated'

7 November 2017

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono told The Nikkei he hopes to have China and Russia work together more closely with Japan, the U.S. and South Korea on the North Korean threat.

Politics

Japan to propose dialogue with US, India and Australia

Foreign Minister Kono sees Japan playing key freedom of navigation role

26 October 2017

Every year, thousands of trucks are ferried from Turkey to Haifa, then drive to the Arab world. The new rail route would make transport cheaper and faster.

Economy

Israel invites Japan to spearhead rail project to Saudi Arabia

Minister offers a 25-year lease of the port where the route would start

24 October 2017

In October 2013, many Saudi women got behind the wheel to protest the ban.

Economy

Saudi Arabia to let women drive -- and double size of auto market

Kingdom wants to invite auto industry and create jobs as it shifts 'post-oil'

24 October 2017