Middle East

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for stating that Israel privileges Jewish citizens over others. Netanyahu argued that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, with 20% of its citizens being Muslim.

The 'Horizons Middle East & Africa' edition is dated July 7, 2026, and focuses on regional topics.

The article discusses how modern conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East highlight the growing importance of digital infrastructure as part of the battlespace. It emphasizes that data centers and cloud regions, now critical to military and economic power, face vulnerabilities from long-range weapons, drones, and cyberattacks, necessitating a shift in strategic depth from geographical to digital resilience.

The Global Finals of the HSBC/HKU Business Case Challenge, organized by HSBC and The Hongkong Bank Foundation, featured 24 four-member university undergraduate teams from 20 countries across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East tackling real-time business problems. In its 19th year, the competition tests students' financial literacy and teamwork in a simulated executive environment.

China is increasing its oil purchases from the Middle East amid falling prices. Saudi Arabia has reduced its export pricing to Asia to a 6-year low.

President Donald Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa during the NATO summit in Turkey. The discussions come amid ongoing Russian advances in Ukraine and Trump's public focus on Syria's role in the Middle East.

Nato’s 32 member states will meet in Turkey for a summit focused on Ukraine and Middle East peace efforts, with Indo-Pacific issues receiving less attention. Analysts suggest conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, along with U.S. pressure on European allies to increase defense spending, may limit discussion on Nato-Indo-Pacific cooperation.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the international community's failure to prevent Israeli attacks in the Middle East, blaming the inaction for regional instability. He emphasized the need for stronger Islamic unity and cooperation among Muslim nations during a ceremony commemorating the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Erdogan warns against efforts to undermine the US-Iran deal, emphasizing the need for regional support in Middle East peace efforts. He criticizes Israel for attempting to derail the agreement and condemns Israeli military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.

China plans to export marine cable detection robots to regions including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The technology aims to strengthen China's position in the marine equipment sector, as reported by the Science and Technology Daily.

The article discusses Washington's strategic shift away from Europe and the Middle East, raising questions about NATO's future direction. It highlights that one country may hold the key to addressing NATO's next steps in this changing geopolitical landscape.

The UK government has axed the SHEFE program, a £45m initiative aimed at keeping 1 million girls in school across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, which was launched two years ago by the outgoing Conservative government. The program's tender has been withdrawn by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The Gaza war triggered years of Middle East conflict, leading to a US-Israeli war with Iran. As peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran proceed, Gaza's plight is largely ignored, with a Palestinian resident stating the world has forgotten Gaza's tragedy.

The article titled 'Horizons Middle East & Africa 7/3/2026' references a publication or event focused on the Middle East and Africa regions.

China's private refiners are purchasing Middle East oil as prices decline. The article references oil storage tanks and Bloomberg as a source.

Business jet departures in the Middle East declined by 30% during the Iran war. The reduction highlights the impact of regional conflict on private aviation activity.

Ceasefires in the Middle East are not delivering the peace many people expect. The article highlights a global discussion about ceasefires but questions their effectiveness in the region.

The article titled 'Horizons Middle East & Africa 7/1/2026' appears to focus on regional developments in the Middle East and Africa, though no specific content is provided beyond the title. The date suggests a forward-looking perspective or event related to these regions.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud in Beijing, reaffirming China’s support for Middle East negotiations and urging sustained dialogue despite a fragile ceasefire. Wang emphasized that dialogue is better than confrontation.

Alcoa has acquired South32’s alumina and bauxite assets for $4.8 billion. The deal follows disruptions in the Middle East, which have driven up grey metal prices.

China has launched a new cross-border freight rail service connecting western China with Turkmenistan as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to strengthen economic ties with Central Asia. Freight routes to Europe avoiding Russia and the Middle East have seen an 80% increase this year, driven by companies seeking to bypass geopolitical risks, including disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz closure and the Iran crisis.

Influential evangelical leaders are divided over the Trump administration's memorandum of understanding with Iran, with some praising Trump's military actions against Iran and his support for Israel. Critics argue the deal risks Israel's security by providing Iran relief before its threat is neutralized, while supporters claim Trump's actions have weakened Tehran and earned trust.

India is planning to reduce its reliance on Middle East oil following a war-related shock. The article mentions oil storage in India as part of its strategy.

The article references a video titled 'Horizons Middle East & Africa' dated June 30, 2026. No additional details about the content or context of the video are provided in the text.

Feliks, an eagle, has returned to Serbia after being kidnapped in the Middle East. The eagle's journey involved kidnappers, smugglers, and a clandestine border crossing.

Dawud Al Ansari states Oman is committed to de-escalation and peace in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman to address Middle East tensions, with Al Ansari analyzing Oman's strategic role in Gulf diplomacy.

Top deputies of President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, will brief Congress on Iran peace talks via a conference call, the first such briefing since Trump signed a memorandum of understanding with Tehran. The 14-point agreement aimed to initiate a cease-fire, but hostilities between the U.S. and Iran continue.

Sovereign wealth funds are increasing investments in private markets and infrastructure, with Middle Eastern investors leading the shift. Invesco's research highlights that Gulf sovereign funds have been particularly active in infrastructure, and all Middle East investors surveyed identified AI infrastructure and semiconductors as major long-term opportunities.

A video titled 'Horizons Middle East & Africa' is set to be released on 6/29/2026, focusing on the Middle East and Africa regions.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) faces challenges including budget cuts, a turf war with the European Commission, and a lack of clear policy tools. Under Kaja Kallas' leadership, the EEAS struggles to compete with the Commission's resources and define its mission amid global conflicts and shifting EU priorities.

Oil prices rose as renewed U.S.-Iran military strikes raised concerns about Middle East crude supply. The conflict reignited fears impacting oil markets.

Oil prices initially jumped following a Middle East flare-up involving a hit tanker but later erased gains as progress on a US-Iran peace deal increased flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred at Odfjell Terminals Korea Co. facilities in Ulsan, South Korea.

Chinese firms are competing globally in air defense weapon sales, leveraging cost efficiency to target the Global South, though geopolitical constraints limit access to US-allied countries. The market's importance has grown due to drone warfare in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The article discusses the end of a 70-year global peace era, marked by the Ukrainian war and Middle East conflicts, signaling a shift from democratic dominance to rising autocracies. It highlights the resurgence of autocratic 'Control States' and the erosion of liberal democratic world order, referencing historical concepts like Ibn Khaldun's 'asabiyya' to explain societal cohesion.

Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high despite a fragile ceasefire, with both sides accusing each other of violating the truce. Iran has conducted a third consecutive day of retaliatory strikes against US military sites in the Middle East, while President Donald Trump has threatened to 'annihilate' Iran if conflict resumes, raising fears of a wider war.

HK Electric has informed customers that higher energy prices are expected following a cutoff of gas supply from Qatar due to Middle East conflicts. The company's CEO stated that no gas has been received from Qatar since March, as Iranian strikes damaged production facilities critical to the Lamma Island power plant's supply.

Australia will expand aerial shark surveillance with year-round drone patrols in NSW beaches, while Treasurer Chalmers addresses legislation to strengthen penalties for social media ban violations and empower the eSafety commissioner. The government highlights progress in online child safety and inflation control amid Middle East tensions and fluctuating oil prices.

Isabel Schnabel, an executive board member of the European Central Bank, noted upside inflation risks despite a peace deal, while the International Monetary Fund downgraded its growth projection due to a Middle East war-induced oil shock and potential energy infrastructure damage.

Airlines are resuming flights to the Middle East, with updates on routes and schedules. The article provides information on the resumption of operations in the region.

The article highlights that a change in UK leadership, the appointment of a new hawkish Federal Reserve chair, and ongoing concerns about the Middle East are contributing to financial uncertainty for investors.