16 h. ago The Israel–Iran ceasefire is a relief for China. But the war exposed Beijing’s lack of leverage

The Israel–Iran ceasefire is a relief for China. But the war exposed Beijing’s lack of leverage  Chatham House

Events

31 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

55 h. ago Why China may be keeping a close eye as Trump gets drawn into the Middle East

As the US gets more entangled in the Israel-Iran conflict, China is likely to be keeping a close watch and picking up some clues on American interventionism in regional disputes. According to one China watcher, Beijing may be a “long-term beneficiary” of the American retreat from stable leadership, as Washington’s strikes on Iran have revealed it to be an uncertain and unpredictable global power. More significantly, the conflict has revealed Washington’s reluctance to engage in a prolonged war,...

Politics

67 h. ago China to stay cautious as Iran seeks aid amid US, Israel clashes: Mideast expert

Iran may look to China for weapons support amid conflicts with the US and Israel, but Beijing will remain cautious, considering strained economic ties with Tehran and its broader interest in balancing ties with Israel and other Western-aligned states in the region, according to a veteran Chinese expert on the Middle East. In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post, Pan Guang, a Chinese scholar of Jewish and Middle East studies, said the conflict between Iran and Israel was...

Politics

69 h. ago Why Israel’s spy tactics against Iran have sparked fears in Taiwan

Israel’s sweeping intelligence operations against Iran have jolted Taiwan’s security community, raising concerns that Beijing could adopt similar tactics to cripple the island’s leadership or critical infrastructure. As assassinations and sabotage rattle Tehran, analysts in Taipei warn that Beijing’s infiltration of Taiwan is no longer a purely political threat, and it might be laying the groundwork for high-stakes covert warfare. In recent months, Taiwan has seen a surge in espionage cases...

Politics

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

4 d. ago Iran’s defense minister thanks China for support on first foreign trip since Israel conflict

Iran’s defense minister thanks China for support on first foreign trip since Israel conflict  CNNIsrael-Iran conflict exposed China’s ‘limited leverage’, say analysts  Al JazeeraExclusive | Israel-Iran Conflict Spurs China to Reconsider Russian Gas Pipeline - WSJ  WSJ

Politics

4 d. ago China To Join Iran In New Op Against Israel, US? Key Meet In Beijing ‘Spooks’ Trump, Netanyahu

China To Join Iran In New Op Against Israel, US? Key Meet In Beijing ‘Spooks’ Trump, Netanyahu  Times of India

Politics

4 d. ago China warned to watch for threats as Israeli spies in Iran open ‘Pandora’s box’

Israel’s unprecedented success in infiltrating Iranian intelligence has opened up a “Pandora’s box” of global security threats, Chinese observers have warned, while urging China to tighten all national security measures against any vulnerabilities. According to Chinese military analyst and former air force member Fu Qianshao, one striking feature of the Middle East conflict is the critical role played by Israeli intelligence agents embedded in Iran. Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency reportedly...

Events

5 d. ago Iran defense chief visits China, first trip after war with Israel: What to know

Iran defense chief visits China, first trip after war with Israel: What to know  AL-Monitor

Events

6 d. ago Trump voices approval for China’s oil imports from Iran, marking US shift

US President Donald Trump voiced approval for China’s oil imports from Iran, marking a notable shift from Washington’s long-standing opposition to Tehran’s crude exports hours after he claimed to broker a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. “China can now continue to purchase Oil from Iran. Hopefully, they will be purchasing plenty from the US, also. It was my Great Honor to make this happen!” Trump posted on social media on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Beijing’s top diplomat called his counterpart in...

Politics

6 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

6 d. ago Chinese airlines’ advantage, Chongqing as key trade hub: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. As skies in Mideast close, China airlines have key advantage – Russian airspace Western airlines risk suffering greater disruption than their Chinese rivals this summer, as the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel – compounded by US military strikes – forces most carriers to avoid flying over dangerous airspace on China-Europe routes. 2. Suez Canal...

Politics

6 d. ago Russia backs Iran with 'clear stance', slams US, Israel strikes; Beijing signals readiness to maintain stability | World News

Russia backs Iran with 'clear stance', slams US, Israel strikes; Beijing signals readiness to maintain stability | World News - Hindustan Times  Hindustan Times

Politics

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 China’s Hard Fought Leverage In The Middle East Evaporates As Beijing Watched Iran

China’s Hard Fought Leverage In The Middle East Evaporates As Beijing Watched Iran-Israel War Helplessly  EurAsian Times

Politics

7 d. ago China’s Hard Fought Leverage In The Middle East Dented As Beijing Helplessly Watched Iran

China’s Hard Fought Leverage In The Middle East Dented As Beijing Helplessly Watched Iran-Israel War: Analyst  EurAsian Times

Politics

7 d. ago As skies in Mideast close, China airlines have key advantage – Russian airspace

Western airlines risk suffering greater disruption than their Chinese rivals this summer, as the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel – compounded by US military strikes – forces most carriers to avoid flying over dangerous airspace on China-Europe routes. Analysts said that while almost all carriers have diverted services to bypass Iran and parts of the Middle East, Western firms are at a disadvantage: they remain barred from Russian airspace, which Chinese companies continue to...

Politics

7 d. ago 20 of 21 Hongkongers in Israel and Iran have left those countries: John Lee

All but one of the 21 Hongkongers who were in Israel or Iran have left those countries safely, Hong Kong’s leader has said, adding that escalating tensions in the Middle East will not affect the city’s efforts to develop markets there. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the Immigration Department had received inquiries from 21 Hong Kong residents who were in Israel or Iran as of Monday. “Twenty of them have already departed safely. The department will continue to maintain...

Politics

7 d. ago 20 of 21 Hongkongers in Israel and Iran have left the countries: John Lee

All but one of the 21 Hongkongers who were in Israel or Iran have left the countries safely, Hong Kong’s leader has said, adding that escalating tensions in the Middle East will not affect the city’s efforts to develop markets there. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the Immigration Department had received inquiries from 21 Hong Kong residents who were in Israel or Iran as of Monday. “Twenty of them have already departed safely. The department will continue to maintain close...

Politics