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Qatar

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Qatar. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Doha

Head of State

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

Iran

Iran fires missiles, Khamenei threatens to sink US warship as talks start

As the talks began, local media announced that Iran had fired live missiles towards the Strait of Hormuz.

2 hours ago

US-Iran tensions

Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva for second round of talks with US

16 Feb 2026 - 2:42PM

Israel-Gaza war

World artists back Palestine rapporteur Francesca Albanese despite criticism

14 Feb 2026 - 11:17PM

Middle East

UAE-Saudi rift over security threats push Arab mediators to act

Bahrain and Egypt are attempting to mend ties between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, after a public falling out in December.

14 Feb 2026 - 9:22PM

Demonstrators step on pictures of UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a protest against the UAE’s support for the RSF in Sudan, on the day of the two-year anniversary of the conflict, on April 15 last year. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Iran’s revolution anniversary marred by protests, nuclear tensions

Iran’s 47th Revolution anniversary sees pro-regime rallies amid public anger over crackdowns and heightened US nuclear tensions.

11 Feb 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

US-China relations

China, Trump targeted in House hearing on foreign influence in US non-profits

Claims made at Congressional hearing that network of foreign donors paid American advocacy groups billions to try to influence US policy.

11 Feb 2026 - 6:31AMvideocam

Middle East

In message to Iran, Trump weighs sending second aircraft carrier to Middle East

The US president warned that the US would have to do ‘something very tough’ if a deal was not reached.

11 Feb 2026 - 1:40PM

An F/A-18F Super Hornet preparing to launch from the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian. Photo: US Navy via AFP

Middle East

Saudi Arabia, Syria sign telecom and airline deals as sanctions lift

Saudi Arabia has been a major backer of Syria’s Islamist authorities who took power after toppling long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

8 Feb 2026 - 12:04AM

Iran

US-Iran nuclear talks set for Oman amid rising Middle East tensions

Planned talks moving from Turkey after a US jet downs an Iranian drone, though the role of regional Arab allies remains in limbo.

4 Feb 2026 - 10:11PM

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Petronas to tap Qatar for gas as local reserves dwindle

QatarEnergy has also signed a 27-year deal to sell LNG to Japan’s JERA, the first long-term pact between the two nations in over a decade.

4 Feb 2026 - 9:21AM

Hong Kong stock market

Chinese energy drink maker Eastroc’s shares debut flat in Hong Kong

Eastroc, which raised US$1.3 billion in city’s biggest IPO so far this year, draws strong retail demand amid heightened regulatory scrutiny.

3 Feb 2026 - 4:35PM

Eastroc’s IPO attracted 16 cornerstone investors, who subscribed to about 49 per cent of the offer. Photo: Handout

Diplomacy

Opinion | Canada’s Carney charts a ‘third path’ for middle powers

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has offered a principled and pragmatic agenda for nations navigating a new era of great power rivalry.

27 Jan 2026 - 5:30AM

IPO

Chinese drinks maker Eastroc’s US$1.3 billion Hong Kong IPO gives it wings

Shanghai-listed firm is selling 40.9 million shares for HK$248 each, which would give it a market cap of about US$21 billion.

26 Jan 2026 - 4:49PM

Saudi Arabia

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

The Gulf neighbours have turned from friends to foes, fighting proxy wars across the region and forcing global powers to pick a side.

25 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

Yemeni separatists wave South Yemen and UAE flags during a protest against Saudi Arabia in Aden on December 30. Photo: EPA

Donald Trump

Trump invests US$51 million in bonds linked to his own policy agenda

Without a blind trust, Trump builds wealth as president with bond trades in firms his policies affect, drawing scrutiny over conflicts of interest.

16 Jan 2026 - 8:16PM

Donald Trump reacts to a question from a reporter after signing a series of executive orders at the White House in February 2025. Photo: TNS

Pakistan

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia plan defence deal to counter chaos in Middle East

Iran’s neighbours are worried that the US’ increasingly erratic behaviour may pose a risk to regional power balance and trade, analysts say.

16 Jan 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

Iran

US says Iran halted 800 protester executions after Trump warnings

White House cites direct pressure for the stay of executions, as Gulf allies scramble to de-escalate threats of a US military strike on Iran.

16 Jan 2026 - 10:08AM

Pakistan

Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as orders soar for JF-17 jets

The jets, co-produced with China, proved their worth during the India-Pakistan tensions, when they destroyed an S-400 air defence system.

16 Jan 2026 - 11:12AMvideocam

A visitor takes a look at a JF-17 jet fighter during an air show in Dubai in 2017. Photo: Reuters

Banking & finance

Growth in sovereign investors’ China exposure slows amid political tensions

Inflows fall 58 per cent as sovereign wealth funds grow cautious, yet outlook signals selective opportunities ahead, experts say.

14 Jan 2026 - 7:30PM

Iran

Trump vs Iran: Gulf allies fear US ‘help’ may unleash chaos

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are urging against military action, even as the US president teases that ‘help is on its way’.

14 Jan 2026 - 12:11PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas says will dissolve its Gaza government when Palestinian body takes over

Militant group agrees to cede power to technocratic committee under Trump-brokered plan, but silence remains over disarmament.

12 Jan 2026 - 11:17AM

Palestinian armed fighters in Gaza during the handover of Israeli captives in October last year. Photo: dpa

Banking & finance

OCBC, Bangkok Bank, First Abu Dhabi join US$14 billion offshore yuan scheme

Leading banks from Southeast Asia and the Middle East are taking part in the programme, underscoring the city’s push as an offshore yuan hub.

29 Dec 2025 - 6:30PM

The expanded yuan liquidity facility underscores Hong Kong’s push as a global offshore yuan hub. Photo: AFP

China-Russia relations

Russian LNG shipments to China surge 143% in November, overtaking Australia

Russian LNG accounted for 23.5 per cent of China’s total shipments, cementing Russia as its top energy partner after President Xi pledged deeper ties.

23 Dec 2025 - 11:00AMvideocam

Israel

Ex-Israeli PM calls for Netanyahu’s resignation over ‘Qatargate’ affair

Naftali Bennett accuses the premier’s office of ‘treason’, alleging aides acted as paid agents for Qatar during wartime.

23 Dec 2025 - 1:46PM

European Union

Opinion | As Doha Forum made clear, Europe is losing its seat at the table

Consumed by Ukraine, the EU has effectively retreated from global engagement. An urgent foreign policy recalibration is needed.

17 Dec 2025 - 5:30AM

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani speaks on the first day of the 23rd edition of the annual Doha Forum in Qatar on December 6. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

13 Dec 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump (left) shakes hands with Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House in Washington last month. Photo: AP

War and conflict

As I see it | Would the world be safer if the military were in charge of the US?

Capricious political leaders like Donald Trump and his defence chief may be more dangerous than responsible and battle-tested generals.

12 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM

China manufacturing

China’s biotech firms may see ‘major breakthroughs’ within a decade. Here’s why

Strong manufacturing base a driving force behind overseas expansion, but industry leaders and analysts say hurdles remain.

11 Dec 2025 - 3:36PMvideocam

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Qatar

Iran fires missiles, Khamenei threatens to sink US warship as talks start

As the talks began, local media announced that Iran had fired live missiles towards the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva for second round of talks with US

World artists back Palestine rapporteur Francesca Albanese despite criticism

UAE-Saudi rift over security threats push Arab mediators to act

Bahrain and Egypt are attempting to mend ties between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, after a public falling out in December.

Iran’s revolution anniversary marred by protests, nuclear tensions

Iran’s 47th Revolution anniversary sees pro-regime rallies amid public anger over crackdowns and heightened US nuclear tensions.

China, Trump targeted in House hearing on foreign influence in US non-profits

Claims made at Congressional hearing that network of foreign donors paid American advocacy groups billions to try to influence US policy.

In message to Iran, Trump weighs sending second aircraft carrier to Middle East

The US president warned that the US would have to do ‘something very tough’ if a deal was not reached.

Saudi Arabia, Syria sign telecom and airline deals as sanctions lift

Saudi Arabia has been a major backer of Syria’s Islamist authorities who took power after toppling long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

US-Iran nuclear talks set for Oman amid rising Middle East tensions

Planned talks moving from Turkey after a US jet downs an Iranian drone, though the role of regional Arab allies remains in limbo.

Malaysia’s Petronas to tap Qatar for gas as local reserves dwindle

QatarEnergy has also signed a 27-year deal to sell LNG to Japan’s JERA, the first long-term pact between the two nations in over a decade.

Chinese energy drink maker Eastroc’s shares debut flat in Hong Kong

Eastroc, which raised US$1.3 billion in city’s biggest IPO so far this year, draws strong retail demand amid heightened regulatory scrutiny.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Canada’s Carney charts a ‘third path’ for middle powers

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has offered a principled and pragmatic agenda for nations navigating a new era of great power rivalry.

Chinese drinks maker Eastroc’s US$1.3 billion Hong Kong IPO gives it wings

Shanghai-listed firm is selling 40.9 million shares for HK$248 each, which would give it a market cap of about US$21 billion.

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

The Gulf neighbours have turned from friends to foes, fighting proxy wars across the region and forcing global powers to pick a side.

Trump invests US$51 million in bonds linked to his own policy agenda

Without a blind trust, Trump builds wealth as president with bond trades in firms his policies affect, drawing scrutiny over conflicts of interest.

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia plan defence deal to counter chaos in Middle East

Iran’s neighbours are worried that the US’ increasingly erratic behaviour may pose a risk to regional power balance and trade, analysts say.

US says Iran halted 800 protester executions after Trump warnings

White House cites direct pressure for the stay of executions, as Gulf allies scramble to de-escalate threats of a US military strike on Iran.

Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as orders soar for JF-17 jets

The jets, co-produced with China, proved their worth during the India-Pakistan tensions, when they destroyed an S-400 air defence system.

Growth in sovereign investors’ China exposure slows amid political tensions

Inflows fall 58 per cent as sovereign wealth funds grow cautious, yet outlook signals selective opportunities ahead, experts say.

Trump vs Iran: Gulf allies fear US ‘help’ may unleash chaos

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are urging against military action, even as the US president teases that ‘help is on its way’.

Hamas says will dissolve its Gaza government when Palestinian body takes over

Militant group agrees to cede power to technocratic committee under Trump-brokered plan, but silence remains over disarmament.

OCBC, Bangkok Bank, First Abu Dhabi join US$14 billion offshore yuan scheme

Leading banks from Southeast Asia and the Middle East are taking part in the programme, underscoring the city’s push as an offshore yuan hub.

Russian LNG shipments to China surge 143% in November, overtaking Australia

Russian LNG accounted for 23.5 per cent of China’s total shipments, cementing Russia as its top energy partner after President Xi pledged deeper ties.

Ex-Israeli PM calls for Netanyahu’s resignation over ‘Qatargate’ affair

Naftali Bennett accuses the premier’s office of ‘treason’, alleging aides acted as paid agents for Qatar during wartime.

Opinion | As Doha Forum made clear, Europe is losing its seat at the table

Consumed by Ukraine, the EU has effectively retreated from global engagement. An urgent foreign policy recalibration is needed.

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

As I see it | Would the world be safer if the military were in charge of the US?

Capricious political leaders like Donald Trump and his defence chief may be more dangerous than responsible and battle-tested generals.

China’s biotech firms may see ‘major breakthroughs’ within a decade. Here’s why

Strong manufacturing base a driving force behind overseas expansion, but industry leaders and analysts say hurdles remain.

Opinion | Canada’s Carney charts a ‘third path’ for middle powers