Beijing's arm-round-the-shoulder approach to the region's problems contrasts to Washington's traditional gun-in-the-back stance. Middle East leaders seem to like it. Will they reap the rewards?

A colossal infrastructure project costing $17bn has not yet enticed Beijing. Cost, security, uncertainty, and alternatives are just some of the reasons. So, will Baghdad bag its Beijing sponsor?

Big industrial manufacturers forced to leave their homeland have invested more than $1bn in their new home over the past decade, but overly complex bureaucracy means they can only do so unofficially

King Mohammed VI took over a largely agrarian economy and used the country's location to best advantage by growing its manufacturing industries for export to Europe. What do the next 25 years hold?

An important grouping has grown considerably, recently adding states like Egypt, the UAE, and Iran, while Saudi Arabia has been invited. The group's true nature will determine its course.

Opposition would come from all angles.

The redirection of major merchant navigation routes around the coast of Africa adds to the cost and time of supply chains just when the world economy can least afford it. Al Majalla explains.