Middle East
Sovereign wealth, energy transition, and geopolitical fault lines converge here in ways that ripple far past the region itself. The economies built on oil are racing to build what comes after it.
-
May- 2026 -24 MayCapital
China’s $620 billion US debt sale reshapes global reserve system, avoids market crash
China has reduced its officially reported U.S. Treasury holdings from a peak of $1.316 trillion in November 2013 to $693.3 billion by February 2026 — a liquidation of more than…
-
24 MayCapital
Hormuz blockade drives Japan, South Korea naphtha prices to record highs, threatening plastics supply
A three-month blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has driven Japan's benchmark naphtha spot price to $910 per metric ton, a 26% increase. This surge is forcing Japan and South…
-
24 MayCapital
South Korea’s Middle East crude imports fall 37% as US supply nears parity
South Korea's crude oil imports from the Middle East fell 37.3 percent year-on-year in April 2026 to 4.49 million tons, reducing the Gulf's share of Korea's total import mix from…
-
23 MayPower
Pakistan seeks China’s backing to mediate US-Iran tensions, Afghanistan border dispute
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is in Beijing for a four-day state visit, seeking Chinese backing to mediate between the United States and Iran, and for support with Afghanistan. The…
-
22 MayEarth
Malaysia’s Maharani Gateway emerges as new energy hub amid Middle East rerouting
Malaysia's MYR 2.5 billion (USD 530 million) Maharani Energy Gateway, a 3,487-acre freeport project in Muar, Johor, awarded to KAJ Development Sdn Bhd under a concession signed on March 23,…
-
21 MayPower
China and Russia deepen strategic ties with 20+ agreements, challenging Western sanctions
On May 16–17, 2026, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin signed two joint statements and over 20 bilateral cooperation documents in Beijing, deepening their strategic partnership. China–Russia bilateral trade reached a…
-
21 MayCapital
Thailand becomes key Russian gateway to Southeast Asia, raising sanctions circumvention risk
Russian businesses are systematically repositioning Thailand as a logistics and financial gateway into Southeast Asian markets, with Russia–ASEAN bilateral trade rising from C$19.8 billion in 2020 to C$25.4 billion in…
-
20 MayUncategorized
Gulf stopover flights to Asia void travel insurance for millions, Australian advisory warns
Australia's Smartraveller advisory, updated on 19 April 2026, explicitly states that its "do not travel" warning for the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and nine other Middle Eastern states applies to…
-
Feb- 2026 -24 FebruaryLife & Health
Israel: Mandatory ETA-IL travel authorization required for 2026 travel — adds $8 USD per application
Effective for travel in 2026, Israel now requires a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) for visitors from visa-exempt countries, including the United States and Canada. This is a new pre-screening…
-
23 FebruaryEarth
Kuwait: New visa fees and mandatory insurance effective early 2026 — adds A$50-100 per person
New regulations implemented in early 2026 require all visitors to Kuwait to have mandatory health insurance, with proof of coverage needed before a visa is issued. This is a new,…
