Commentary / World Sep 18, 2019
Putin's trolling of Trump isn't just about missiles
by Leonid Bershidsky
Russia's offer to sell air defense systems to Saudi Arabia is really a bid to replace the U.S. as the region's go-to problem solver.
Editorials Sep 17, 2019
Given Houthi determination to take the fight to Saudi Arabia and Iran's belief that it is the rightful leader of the region, violence will continue and instability will grow.
Commentary / World Sep 17, 2019
Are the Houthi rebels capable of launching the Saudi strikes?
by Gwynne Dyer
The identity of the attackers will remain up in the air until conclusive proof emerges.
Commentary / World | C Commentary Sep 17, 2019
Saudi Arabia drone attacks and trilateral coordination
by Kuni Miyake
Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility, but nobody in Tokyo believes that.
Commentary / World Sep 17, 2019
U.S. president cornered by the latest Middle East crisis
by Timothy L. O'Brien
The U.S. president's inconsistency on Iran and his ties to the Saudis don't bode well for how he will handle a monumental foreign policy challenge.
Commentary / World Aug 26, 2019
Why the Mideast is betting on China
by Galip Dalay
Chinese foreign policy in the Middle East is highly transactional, focusing on energy and economics, and avoiding sensitive geopolitical issues.
Commentary / World Aug 22, 2019
On Iran, Japan faces a difficult decision
by Mina Pollmann
Tokyo is being pulled in several different directions when considering whether to join a U.S.-led coalition in the Strait of Hormuz.
National Aug 19, 2019
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is likely to visit Japan this month for talks on the situation in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, it was learned Sunday from diplomatic sources. Tehran and Tokyo have been making final arrangements for Zarif to visit in the ...
National Aug 18, 2019
57% against sending SDF to join U.S.-led maritime coalition in Mideast amid tensions with Iran: poll
A poll finds over half of voters oppose dispatching Self-Defense Forces personnel to the Middle East to join a U.S.-led coalition to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions with Iran.
National Aug 7, 2019
Pentagon chief Mark Esper urges Japan to help protect shipping in Persian Gulf
Washington has been struggling to secure support for its efforts to counter Iranian activities in the sea lane, through which much of the world’s oil passes.
Business / Economy Jul 22, 2019
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner will lead a U.S. delegation on a tour of the Middle East to finalize details of his proposed $50 billion economic development plan for the Palestinians, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon, an administration official said on Sunday. Kushner, Middle East ...
Commentary / World Jul 17, 2019
Japan's 'trilemma' in the Strait of Hormuz
by Yoichiro Sato
Should Japan take part in another U.S.-led 'coalition of the willing'?