Archives for February, 2025

The PricewaterhouseCoopers offices are pictured on Oct. 2, 2018, in London, England.

Saudi Arabia's PIF bans PwC advisory, consulting services: What to know

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund will stop granting consulting projects to PwC until February 2026, Bloomberg reported.

Voladymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, on Feb. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Amid US rift and Saudi rivalry, UAE offers Zelenskyy economic lifeline

Gulf countries find themselves in a difficult position as they navigate placating Trump, maintaining good relations with Russia, and engaging with Ukraine while also providing mediation and humanitarian aid.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Hamas fighters gather at the site of the handing over of two Israeli hostages in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner release on February 22, 2025. Palestinian militants freed two Israeli hostages on February 22, among the last live captives eligible for release under the first phase of a fragile truce that is also expected to see Palestinian prisoners released. (Photo by Abood Abusalama / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by ABOOD ABUSALAMA/Middle

Analysis

With Trump losing interest, Israel likely to buy time, extend phase one of deal

As US envoy Steve Witkoff shifts focus to Russia and Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas deal faces mounting hurdles ahead of phase 2 this Saturday, making it more likely to extend current status-quo.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, home to 24,000 Palestinians, has been the target of an intese Israeli military operation

Displaced Palestinians fear Israel's West Bank raids 'won't stop'

Agence France-Presse

Rebuilding work started at Kibbutz Nirim, one of the Israeli communities worst hit by the October 7, 2023 attack, soon after the Gaza ceasefire took effect on January 19.

Israeli kibbutz rebuilds after 2023 attack as residents mull return

Agence France-Presse

L-R: Mahsa Rostami, Niousha Akhshi and Setareh Maleki are now living in exile in Berlin after filming 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig'

Oscars nod 'truly magical' for Iranian film's young stars

Agence France-Presse

TOPSHOT - UNIFIL vehicles drive past the rubble of destroyed buildings in the southern Lebanese village of Yaroun near the border with Israel on February 19, 2025. Israeli forces withdrew from a series of border villages including southeast Lebanon's Odaisseh, Kfar Kila, Mais al-Jabal, Markaba and Hula under an extended ceasefire deadline that expired on February 18, but remained in five points near the border. (Photo by Fadel ITANI / AFP) (Photo by FADEL ITANI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Lebanon faces IMF test as new cabinet prioritizes economy, reconstruction

Lebanon's new president has a 15-month window to make progress on reforms able to attract much-needed financial support, but will traditional power brokers help or hinder him?

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) meets his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the sidelines of a G7 summit in Italy in June.

Algeria blames French far right as relations with former colonial ruler fray

Agence France-Presse

“Migration,” oil on canvas, 2024. (Courtesy of Yapı Kredi Bomontiada)

Culture

AL-Monitor Istanbul: Exploring joy and sorrow in Neş’e Erdok’s paintings

Nes’e Erdok’s first name means "joy," but her paintings tell a different story.

A teamLab immersive artwork.

Culture

AL-Monitor Dubai: Art meets science at teamLab Phenomena

This week we transport you to an immersive realm where art, technology and science meet with the opening of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi — the second Middle Eastern outpost for the Japanese art collective.

United Arab Emirates

Ten days after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, Israeli troops inspect the damage to Kibbutz Beeri, the community hardest hit

Israel army says failed on Oct 7, underestimated Hamas

Agence France-Presse

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands after attending a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Feb. 18, 2025.

Analysis

After Istanbul meeting, what role for Turkey in a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire?

Turkey may be open to providing security guarantees for Ukraine but remains hesitant about deploying peacekeeping troops in Ukraine.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

The Martyr Rais Ali Delvari warship is unveiled during a ceremony in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on February 27, 2025. (Photo by DEFA Press news agency)

Iran’s IRGC says advanced warship joins naval fleet amid US tensions

The addition appears to be Iran's latest strategic yet cautious positioning in the face of strain with the United States and Israel.

UAE Sheikh Khaled

UAE, Pakistan expand cooperation during crown prince's first visit: What we know

Pakistan is looking to the UAE for economic help, with recent agreements focused on mining, ports and railways.

United Arab Emirates

OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images

Gaza’s fragile calm teeters as Israel balks at full pullout

Israel and Hamas face a Saturday deadline to implement the next phase of the ceasefire, which includes the full withdrawal of Israeli troops and the release of the remaining hostages.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives at the BRICS summit in Kazan on October 23, 2024. (Photo by Maxim Shemetov / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Inside Egypt's Arab summit plan to use leverage to thwart Trump’s Gaza plan

Cairo is coordinating with Arab League member states to forge a united front and support for its plan to counter the US president's vision of taking over Gaza.

Shahira Amin

By Shahira Amin