China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know China’s once significant oil imports from Iran have been impacted by the war in the region and increasing US sanctions. Iran
Explainer King Abdullah visits China as region hedges against US unpredictability With no end in sight to the war in Iran and an unchecked Israeli policy across the region, the kingdom is hedging against future uncertainty and a less predictable US policy. China
Trump’s Iran ‘economic D-Day’ threat sends oil prices above $94 In a Truth Social post, the president threatened that any country that provides a financial lifeline to Iran will face "tremendous economic consequences." Iran
Jordan's King Abdullah heads to China in first visit since 2015: What to know Ahead of the visit, King Abdullah said that Jordan hopes to expand cooperation with China in green energy, tourism and aviation. Jordan
Analysis Jordan shores up US lifelines as Iran targets Amman’s reliance on Washington By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Congress takes aim at Lebanese politicians with Hezbollah bill The US House of Representatives is expected to vote this month on legislation requiring the president to publicly report on Hezbollah allies’ net worth. Lebanon
Jordan excludes Palestinians from foreign investor concessions Jordan reportedly excluded Palestinian investors from the West Bank from investing inside the kingdom, which some analysts link to the talks about finding a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, namely by creating a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation. Palestine
Trump threats loom over Iran-EU business summit European executives say uncertainty over the fate of the nuclear deal and Iran’s sclerotic economic environment are bad for business. United States
Why Israel's finance minister is rushing to approve 2019 budget Getting the 2019 budget approved would ensure Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon that he has funding to move ahead with his plans, even if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surprises everyone by advancing the election. Israel
Jordanians, Palestinians jump-start economic relations The first meeting in three years of the Joint Higher Jordanian-Palestinian Committee was deemed positive, with agreements signed in a number of sectors. Palestine
Putin boxed in by Iran, Turkey on Iraqi Kurdish referendum The Russian president could find himself at odds with Iran if he misplays a weak hand. Iraq
Russia tempers Erdogan's threats against Iraqi Kurdistan Major Russian interests in Iraqi Kurdistan’s energy sector are seen as having a bearing on Turkey’s threatening response to the Kurdish independence referendum. Iraq
Iran abandons hope for WTO accession Although many thought Iran might finally be able to join the World Trade Organization following the nuclear deal, the Islamic Repubic appears to have lost hope of becoming part of the influential body. Iran
Egyptian doctors moonlight as chefs A new restaurant created by Egyptian doctors is decorated like an emergency room and serves liver dishes cooked with surgical precision. Egypt
Russia keeps eye on Kurdish oil contracts, referendum Russia has been boosting its presence in Middle East oil via the Kurdish Regional Government, but is also waiting to see what the potential impacts might be of the KRG’s independence referendum. Iraq
Border crossings bring in cash for Free Syrian Army factions The Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army is racking up serious sums of money from fees it charges at border crossings in northern Syria. Syria
Online portal offers Palestinian diaspora piece of home A Palestinian businesswoman has adopted the tradition of gift baskets to bring a taste of homeland to Palestinian diaspora. Palestine
