35 h. ago As attacks on Iran show, Russia can now do very little for its allies

The recent war between Iran and Israel has laid bare a truth long obscured by Kremlin bluster: Russia is no longer a superpower. Moscow’s muted response to Tehran’s plight is not an anomaly but the latest – and perhaps most telling – chapter in a pattern of strategic neglect that stretches from the Middle East to the Levant and South Caucasus. Driven by President Vladimir Putin’s neo-imperialist fantasies, Russia plunged into Ukraine to find itself in a quagmire that has bled its military,...

Events

60 h. ago Japanese angered by Trump’s Iran strike comparison to atomic bombings

Japanese leaders and survivors of the atomic bombings have denounced President Donald Trump’s comparison of the US strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities to the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, describing his remarks as deeply inappropriate and historically insensitive. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki condemned Trump’s comments, saying the use of nuclear weapons was “unacceptable” no matter the circumstances – a lesson that should be self-evident from the...

Events

4 d. ago Will the US strikes on Iran push China to ramp up its nuclear arms programme?

Instead of crushing Tehran’s nuclear programme, Israeli and US strikes on Iranian facilities in the past week might have dealt a blow to international nuclear non-proliferation efforts. Analysts warned that the attacks might not only encourage Iran to accelerate its nuclear weapon programme, but also prompt countries such as China and North Korea to expand their deterrence efforts. The pre-emptive strikes also risked setting a precedent for US adversaries to justify similar action against any...

Events

4 d. ago China should be alert to risk of US being drawn into war by allies, analyst says

There is more risk of a global military conflict breaking out under Donald Trump’s leadership, with the US more likely to be drawn into wars involving smaller nations or allies, according to Chinese analysts. The assessment came after the United States joined Israel’s war against Iran last weekend, carrying out military strikes on three nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic. US officials have signalled that the operation was a one-off intervention and – hours after Iran launched a missile attack...

Events

6 d. ago A Weakened Iran Poses an Alliance Test for China, Russia and North Korea

A Weakened Iran Poses an Alliance Test for China, Russia and North Korea  WSJ

Politics

7 d. ago Is it time for change in Iran? Leave it to Iranians to decide

Within hours, the Israel-Iran ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump appears to have collapsed. Initially, there was a glimmer of hope for de-escalation. Israel confirmed its acceptance of the ceasefire proposal and even reopened its airspace for emergency flights, while Iranian state media said a ceasefire had been “imposed on the enemy” after Tehran’s missile attacks on an American base in Qatar. Iran reportedly issued a warning before launching the strikes in response to “blatant...

Politics

7 d. ago 100 air passengers left stuck in Hong Kong after Iran attack on US base near Doha

About 100 passengers were affected after a Qatar Airways flight from Hong Kong to Doha was cancelled on Tuesday morning after the country temporarily closed its airspace in anticipation of retaliatory attacks by Iran on a United States airbase near the capital. Qatar Airways flight 815 was scheduled to depart from Hong Kong for Doha at 1.25am on Tuesday, just as Qatar closed its airspace to commercial airliners “to ensure the safety of citizens, residents”. Shortly after the cancellation, news...

Events

7 d. ago Qatar Airways cancels flight from Hong Kong to Doha for second day in row

Qatar Airways has cancelled early morning flights from Hong Kong to Doha for two days in a row, with more than 100 passengers affected, amid the conflict between Iran and Israel. Flight 815, scheduled to depart from Hong Kong for Doha at 1.25am on Tuesday, was cancelled first after Qatar temporarily closed its airspace in anticipation of retaliatory attacks by Iran on a US airbase near the capital. The carrier later cancelled flight 815 on Wednesday, also scheduled to leave at 1.25am. Tuesday’s...

Politics

7 d. ago Meet China's Nostradamus, Who Predicted ‘Trump Will Attack Iran’ 12 Months Ago. He Now Says...

Meet China's Nostradamus, Who Predicted ‘Trump Will Attack Iran’ 12 Months Ago. He Now Says...  Times Now

Politics

7 d. ago US attacks on Iran risk global conflict, Russia and China warn

US attacks on Iran risk global conflict, Russia and China warn  Al Jazeera

Events

7 d. ago Iran attacks US military base in Qatar, after vowing response to strikes on nuclear sites

The Middle East crisis has intensified after Iran struck back against the United States following recent US actions targeting its nuclear programme. This critical development escalates an already volatile situation, building on weeks of rising tensions between arch-rivals Iran and Israel – and now, Israel’s key ally, the United States. Since June 13, Israel and Iran have exchanged wave after wave of devastating and deadly strikes. Israel launched its aerial campaign asserting that Tehran is on...

Events

7 d. ago Trump thanks Iran for ‘early notice’ after attacks US military base in Qatar

The Middle East crisis appeared to widen after Iran struck back against the United States by firing missiles at an American military base in Qatar, a development that built on weeks of rising tensions between arch-rivals Iran and Israel – and now, Israel’s key ally, the US. The scale of Iran’s attacks on Monday were limited, and an earlier report of a missile targeting a US base in Iraq on Monday turned out to be false, sending key stock market indices higher and oil prices lower. And, US...

Events

7 d. ago Trump claims Israel, Iran agree to ceasefire to be phased in over 24 hours

US President Donald Trump claimed that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire that is meant to take effect in 24 hours, a dramatic change in direction just hours after the Middle East crisis appeared to widen. Earlier on Monday, Iran struck back against the United States by firing missiles at an American military base in Qatar, a development that built on weeks of rising tensions between arch-rivals Iran and Israel – and now, Israel’s key ally, the US. The scale of Iran’s attacks on Monday...

Politics

7 d. ago Trump claims Israel, Iran agree to ceasefire amid reports of renewed bombing

US President Donald Trump claimed that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire that is meant to take effect in 24 hours, a dramatic change in direction just hours after the Middle East crisis appeared to widen. Earlier on Monday, Iran struck back against the United States by firing missiles at an American military base in Qatar, a development that built on weeks of rising tensions between arch-rivals Iran and Israel – and now, Israel’s key ally, the US. Shortly after Trump’s ceasefire...

Politics

7 d. ago Israel’s defence minister orders attacks on Iran after ceasefire ‘violation’

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday he had ordered the army “to respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire” after incoming Iranian missiles were reported by the military. Hours earlier, Israel and Iran accepted a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. Trump announced on Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” that is meant to take effect in 24 hours, a dramatic change in direction just hours after the Middle East...

Politics

7 d. ago Trump’s ceasefire plan in doubt as Israel accuses Iran of ‘violation’

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday he has ordered the army “to respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire” after the military reported incoming Iranian missiles. This came despite an agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump, which Iran, however, denied violating. The dramatic ceasefire plan was announced by Trump on Monday, stating Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” set to take effect within 24 hours. This marked a significant...

Politics

8 d. ago Iran Israel war: Tehran plans attack against USA forces anywhere, China, Russia send chilling warning

Iran Israel war: Tehran plans attack against USA forces anywhere, China, Russia send chilling warning  The Economic Times

Events

8 d. ago China criticizes attack on Iran as U.S. asks Beijing for trade route help

China criticizes attack on Iran as U.S. asks Beijing for trade route help  The Japan Times

Events

8 d. ago US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Labubu faces competition: 5 weekend reads

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump claims US ‘obliterated’ Iran nuclear sites, threatens more attacks 2. How much of a future does Elon Musk really have in US politics? 3. Move over Labubu – Fugglers look to take crown from Hong Kong-designed plush toy 4. How Huawei’s silicon strategy defies US sanctions, advances China’s...

Events

8 d. ago China Rips Trump’s Iran Attack in First Comment Since US Hit

China Rips Trump’s Iran Attack in First Comment Since US Hit  Bloomberg

Events