TOPIC

/ location

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The latest news, analysis and opinion on United Arab Emirates (UAE). In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Head of State

President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

China’s share of global arms imports is waning as it uses more of its own technology. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

SCMP Highlights

China’s arms imports plummet, Hong Kong couple’s Dubai exit: 7 highlights

From missile concerns in the Philippines to China’s rejection of Musk’s space-AI plan, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

51 minutes ago

Iran

Southeast Asia faces spillover cyber risk from Iran war as ‘blast radius’ widens

12 Mar 2026 - 6:06PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Macroscope | Iran war disruption just one of many threats to global markets

12 Mar 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Preparing for the worst? US bunker maker claims big demand in Middle East

Following strikes on regional hubs, Atlas Survival Shelters says demand from Gulf nation clients is at an ‘all-time high’.

12 Mar 2026 - 11:09AM

Shop manager Davis Yarber opens up a survival shelter door at the Atlas Survival Shelters factory. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states

The resolution did not mention US or Israeli strikes, prompting Tehran’s ambassador to decry ‘blatant misuse’ of the international body.

12 Mar 2026 - 7:03AMvideocam

Middle East

Opinion | Data centres are a symbol of the Gulf’s economic future and weakness

AI data centres, financial hubs and tourism are not peripheral to the Gulf’s growth; they are central to both opportunity and vulnerability.

12 Mar 2026 - 12:57AMvideocam

Thailand

Thai navy says cargo ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz

The Thai navy said 20 crew members have been rescued so far.

12 Mar 2026 - 3:56PMvideocam

This handout photo taken on Wednesday and released by the Royal Thai Navy shows smoke rising from the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack. Photo: AFP/Royal Thai Navy

US, Israel war on Iran

Sowing the seeds of hunger: war on Iran puts Asia’s next harvest at risk

As Gulf gas plants go offline, missing fertiliser shipments today could mean empty shelves and record food prices by autumn.

11 Mar 2026 - 5:52PMvideocam

China energy security

As war on Iran escalates, Asia scrambles to deal with global energy fallout

China, Japan and South Korea have all taken steps to reduce impact of supply shortages – but analysts warn of spillover.

11 Mar 2026 - 11:05AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong’s draw as elite sports event host on display at LIV Golf tournament

Besides attracting high-end visitors, the competition’s blend of elite sport and entertainment is the direction the city should be heading in.

11 Mar 2026 - 6:45AM

Young-han Song of Korean Golf Club hits his shot from the first tee during the second round of LIV Golf tournament at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling on March 6. Photo: LIV Golf

Indonesia

Will Iran war push Indonesia to quit Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’?

Critics have urged Jakarta to leave the board and reconsider related policies, amid concerns the country may be losing ‘strategic autonomy’.

10 Mar 2026 - 7:24PMvideocam

Boys in solidarity with Palestinians hold signs as they take part in a protest, outside the US embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 13. Photo: Reuters

Cathay Pacific

Cathay extends flight suspension to Dubai, Riyadh until March 31 amid war

Heightened regional instability has forced airlines to divert flights or avoid certain airspace in Middle East entirely as a precaution.

10 Mar 2026 - 11:08PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Why has the US-Israeli war on Iran left Brics speechless?

As Tehran retaliates against its Gulf neighbours, the newly expanded bloc built for trade is discovering the limits of its own unity.

10 Mar 2026 - 3:32PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Casualty figures across the Middle East as Iran war enters second week

Since the launch of ‘Operation Epic Fury’, casualties have mounted across the region, with civilians in Iran and Lebanon bearing the brunt.

10 Mar 2026 - 1:11PM

An Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Trump’s Gaza plan ‘on hold’ as Iran war halts disarmament talks

The pause threatens to stall implementation of Trump’s flagship Middle East peace initiative.

10 Mar 2026 - 1:53PMvideocam

Palestinians walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensive, in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Australia to send missiles to UAE, deploy reconnaissance plane, but no troops

Prime minister emphasises ‘purely defensive’ role for Australia as Iranian strikes escalate across the Gulf.

10 Mar 2026 - 9:15AM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong couple’s HK$50,000 exit from Dubai after ‘biggest blunder’

Like many other travellers, construction consultant Yen Kwok and her husband were stranded in the Middle East when war started.

10 Mar 2026 - 3:24PMvideocam

Millionaires and billionaires

Adrian Cheng maps out investment plan in line with China’s 5-year plan

The former CEO of NWD plans to spend more time in mainland China this year to scope out tech investment targets.

11 Mar 2026 - 5:57PM

Adrian Cheng says he has invested in a Chinese robotics firm. Photo: Handout

US, Israel war on Iran

Where things stand after another weekend of war in the Middle East

As Mojtaba Khamenei takes the helm in Tehran, regional casualties climb and oil prices surge in a conflict that enters its 10th day on Monday.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:13PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia vows to hold petrol prices as Iran war pushes oil past US$100

Malaysia’s prime minister guarantees citizens that RON95 petrol will remain at 1.99 ringgit despite the US-Israel war on Iran.

9 Mar 2026 - 2:11PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran names new supreme leader as oil surges above US$100 a barrel

Son of Khamenei named supreme leader as the Middle East conflict drives up global energy prices and snarls air travel.

9 Mar 2026 - 7:57PMvideocam

A destroyed vehicle after a reported strike on fuel tanks in Tehran, Iran. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

Hong Kong society

Hongkonger forks out HK$11,000 to flee Dubai after 8 failed attempts

Shirley Sung secured flight to Kuala Lumpur for HK$6,000, spent HK$2,000 in hotel fees for two nights, before catching an AirAsia flight to Hong Kong for HK$3,000.

9 Mar 2026 - 10:50AM

Dubai’s airport has been attacked by Iranian drones. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran strikes on desalination plants threaten Arab states’ water supplies

In Kuwait, about 90 per cent of drinking water comes from desalination, along with roughly 86 per cent in Oman and about 70 per cent in Saudi Arabia.

9 Mar 2026 - 10:22AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong firms rethink global operations amid Middle East turmoil

Businesses with operations in region say they are looking to Southeast Asia, Europe and Australia to hedge against geopolitical uncertainty.

8 Mar 2026 - 3:55PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Kuwait airport, Saudi Arabia targeted as Iran vows to continue Gulf strikes

Qatar also reports new attacks, after loud explosions were heard in Dubai and Bahrain’s Manama.

8 Mar 2026 - 1:11PM

Smoke rises from a building on fire, in the aftermath of what the Kuwaiti Army says is a drone attack, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Kuwait City on Sunday in this screengrab from a social media video. Photo: social media via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran vows more attacks in Gulf despite president’s apology

Tehran says it will continue drone and missile strikes on sites in neighbouring countries that are ‘at the disposal of the enemy’.

8 Mar 2026 - 4:55AMvideocam

Smoke rising from the Dubai International Airport during attacks from Iran on Saturday. Photo: UGC/AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump calls Iran ‘loser’ after president apologises for strikes on neighbours

Although Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would halt attacks on regional nations, intense fire has still been targeting Gulf states.

7 Mar 2026 - 10:36PMvideocam

Israel

Video | Dubai influencers post positive image as Iran targets city

Dubai’s social media influencers are posting praises of the UAE leadership as drones target the city.

7 Mar 2026 - 3:17PM

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United Arab Emirates (UAE)

China’s arms imports plummet, Hong Kong couple’s Dubai exit: 7 highlights

From missile concerns in the Philippines to China’s rejection of Musk’s space-AI plan, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Southeast Asia faces spillover cyber risk from Iran war as ‘blast radius’ widens

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Macroscope | Iran war disruption just one of many threats to global markets

Preparing for the worst? US bunker maker claims big demand in Middle East

Following strikes on regional hubs, Atlas Survival Shelters says demand from Gulf nation clients is at an ‘all-time high’.

UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states

The resolution did not mention US or Israeli strikes, prompting Tehran’s ambassador to decry ‘blatant misuse’ of the international body.

Opinion | Data centres are a symbol of the Gulf’s economic future and weakness

AI data centres, financial hubs and tourism are not peripheral to the Gulf’s growth; they are central to both opportunity and vulnerability.

Thai navy says cargo ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz

The Thai navy said 20 crew members have been rescued so far.

Sowing the seeds of hunger: war on Iran puts Asia’s next harvest at risk

As Gulf gas plants go offline, missing fertiliser shipments today could mean empty shelves and record food prices by autumn.

As war on Iran escalates, Asia scrambles to deal with global energy fallout

China, Japan and South Korea have all taken steps to reduce impact of supply shortages – but analysts warn of spillover.

Editorial | Hong Kong’s draw as elite sports event host on display at LIV Golf tournament

Besides attracting high-end visitors, the competition’s blend of elite sport and entertainment is the direction the city should be heading in.

Will Iran war push Indonesia to quit Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’?

Critics have urged Jakarta to leave the board and reconsider related policies, amid concerns the country may be losing ‘strategic autonomy’.

Cathay extends flight suspension to Dubai, Riyadh until March 31 amid war

Heightened regional instability has forced airlines to divert flights or avoid certain airspace in Middle East entirely as a precaution.

Why has the US-Israeli war on Iran left Brics speechless?

As Tehran retaliates against its Gulf neighbours, the newly expanded bloc built for trade is discovering the limits of its own unity.

Casualty figures across the Middle East as Iran war enters second week

Since the launch of ‘Operation Epic Fury’, casualties have mounted across the region, with civilians in Iran and Lebanon bearing the brunt.

Trump’s Gaza plan ‘on hold’ as Iran war halts disarmament talks

The pause threatens to stall implementation of Trump’s flagship Middle East peace initiative.

Australia to send missiles to UAE, deploy reconnaissance plane, but no troops

Prime minister emphasises ‘purely defensive’ role for Australia as Iranian strikes escalate across the Gulf.

Hong Kong couple’s HK$50,000 exit from Dubai after ‘biggest blunder’

Like many other travellers, construction consultant Yen Kwok and her husband were stranded in the Middle East when war started.

Adrian Cheng maps out investment plan in line with China’s 5-year plan

The former CEO of NWD plans to spend more time in mainland China this year to scope out tech investment targets.

Where things stand after another weekend of war in the Middle East

As Mojtaba Khamenei takes the helm in Tehran, regional casualties climb and oil prices surge in a conflict that enters its 10th day on Monday.

Malaysia vows to hold petrol prices as Iran war pushes oil past US$100

Malaysia’s prime minister guarantees citizens that RON95 petrol will remain at 1.99 ringgit despite the US-Israel war on Iran.

Iran names new supreme leader as oil surges above US$100 a barrel

Son of Khamenei named supreme leader as the Middle East conflict drives up global energy prices and snarls air travel.

Hongkonger forks out HK$11,000 to flee Dubai after 8 failed attempts

Shirley Sung secured flight to Kuala Lumpur for HK$6,000, spent HK$2,000 in hotel fees for two nights, before catching an AirAsia flight to Hong Kong for HK$3,000.

Iran strikes on desalination plants threaten Arab states’ water supplies

In Kuwait, about 90 per cent of drinking water comes from desalination, along with roughly 86 per cent in Oman and about 70 per cent in Saudi Arabia.

Hong Kong firms rethink global operations amid Middle East turmoil

Businesses with operations in region say they are looking to Southeast Asia, Europe and Australia to hedge against geopolitical uncertainty.

Kuwait airport, Saudi Arabia targeted as Iran vows to continue Gulf strikes

Qatar also reports new attacks, after loud explosions were heard in Dubai and Bahrain’s Manama.

Iran vows more attacks in Gulf despite president’s apology

Tehran says it will continue drone and missile strikes on sites in neighbouring countries that are ‘at the disposal of the enemy’.

Trump calls Iran ‘loser’ after president apologises for strikes on neighbours

Although Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would halt attacks on regional nations, intense fire has still been targeting Gulf states.

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | Dubai influencers post positive image as Iran targets city

Dubai’s social media influencers are posting praises of the UAE leadership as drones target the city.

Macroscope | Iran war disruption just one of many threats to global markets

Video | Dubai influencers post positive image as Iran targets city