Economy and trade

Venezuela

Qatar PM arrives in Venezuela on first trip since Maduro’s ouster: What to know

Qatar is moving to shore up ties with Venezuela as the US seeks greater control over the South American country’s oil revenues.

An Egyptian vendor fills dates for a customer at a market in Cairo's central Sayyida Zeinab district on Feb. 12, 2026, as Muslims prepare for the holy fasting month of Ramadan, which begins early next week.

Analysis

Egyptians in for another expensive Ramadan despite recovering economy

Egyptians tend to spend more during the Islamic holy month relative to the rest of the year, but high inflation and low wages have reduced their purchasing power.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Several trucks carrying humanitarian aid cross the border between Armenia and Turkey at the village of Margara, Armenia, on March 21, 2025.

Exclusive

Direct Turkey-Armenia land trade to begin amid US-led Caucasus peace push

New transit arrangement via Georgia cuts re-export costs, marking accelerating normalization between Ankara and Yerevan amid broader US-led peace efforts.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Fahad

Meet Fahad Al-Saif, PIF exec and Saudi Arabia's new investment minister

Saif previously led investment strategy at the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund and has held senior roles at the Saudi Awwal Bank and HSBC Saudi Arabia.

Latest News

Analysis

Why Algeria's nixing of UAE air deal is more diplomatic than economic

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (L) speaks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during the G7 Summit hosted by Italy, in Savelletri, on June 14, 2024.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Crypto crash collides with UAE’s big bet on digital assets

Participants visit the Token 2049 crypto conference in Dubai on May 1, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

Merz courts Gulf as Germany seeks energy alternatives to US, China

Merz

Gulf markets recover after gold rout, buoyed by Iran de-escalation hopes

A woman checks a window shop at a jewelry store in Dubai, on March 10, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

Portraits of Iranian military generals and nuclear scientists, killed in Israel's June 13 attack are displayed above a road, as a plume of heavy smoke and fire rise from an oil refinery in southern Tehran, after it was hit in an overnight Israeli strike, on June 15, 2025.

Analysis

Israel-Iran war fuels risks for Mideast economies, energy flows after US strikes

The global economic fallout from the Israel-Iran clash has been limited but US strikes are adding to the risk.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images

France blocks Israeli weapons display at Paris airshow: What to know

After their exclusion from the Eurosatory and Euronaval fairs, Israeli armament companies have now been prevented from participating in the Bourget defense show in Paris.

Lebanese Minister of Economy Amin Salam (R) vists the port of the capital Beirut, as a corner of the silos which were destroyed in a massive explosion on August 4, 2020, burns on July 14, 2022. - The fire at the port's blast-hit grain silos, at risk of collapse due to severe damage, ignited at the start of the month because of fermentation of remaining grain stocks paired with rising temperatures. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon arrests fmr economy minister Amin Salam on embezzlement charges

The arrest comes nearly a year after the former central bank chief was arrested on charges of embezzlement and money laundering, among other things.

A child crouches over cracked earth at al-Massira dam in Ouled Essi Masseoud village, some 140 kilometres (85 miles) south from Morocco's economic capital Casablanca, on Aug. 8, 2022 amidst the country's worst drought in at least four decades.

Morocco’s agricultural, fishing sectors plunge in 2024 amid drought, climate strain

Agriculture is a pillar of the Moroccan economy, and in 2023, it amounted to more than 11% of the country’s gross domestic product.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meet in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 17, 2025.

Egypt's Sisi in UAE to talk Gaza, regional security: What to know

Egypt and the UAE are close allies, coordinating in various regional issues while maintaining close economic relations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a press conference in Jerusalem, May 21, 2025.

Analysis

As Israel faces 'avalanche' of global criticism, Netanyahu fixated on Trump

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be oblivious to the growing diplomatic isolation Israel is facing and possible repercussions on the country’s economy.

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

JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

China expands visa-free policy to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait

During a landmark summit in Malaysia, China announced an exemption for nationals from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait from the need for entry visas.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (L) greets Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud as he arrives for the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit after the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 27, 2025.

Gulf states court China, ASEAN at landmark Malaysia summit: What to know

The Gulf Cooperation Council’s summit with the Southeast Asia bloc was expanded to include China, bringing the emir of Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat to Malaysia.

MARTIN BERTRAND/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

EU could partially suspend Israel's association agreement within weeks: Sources

European diplomats told Al-Monitor that in view of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the European Commission is expected to present options to member states for pressuring Israel on the issue.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks with Al-Monitor president Andrew Parasiliti at an Al-Monitor Global Institute event in Washington, DC, May 22, 2025.

US backs more energy investment in Kurdistan region: Energy secretary

Speaking at the Al-Monitor Global Institute event, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright signaled American support for further investment in Iraqi Kurdistan’s hydrocarbon resources.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (R) sits next to US President Donald Trump as he speaks to Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg (L).

Analysis

Trump’s Gulf trip lifts embattled Boeing with Qatar, UAE deals

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

AI chips, drones, jets: A look at Trump's $3.2 trillion megadeals during Gulf trip

Amid photo ops and lavish receptions, President Donald Trump’s Gulf trip yielded $3.2 trillion in announced deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE — though some details remain vague.