Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat A ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October has prompted some shipping companies to consider resuming services, but security concerns persist. Yemen
Analysis How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal The Israeli prime minister's frustration with Trump administration strong-arming continues, with pressure to sign Egypt gas deal and now a reported push for Sisi meeting. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel's Netanyahu approves $35B natural gas megadeal with Egypt Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel will sell Egypt natural gas worth $35 billion, in the biggest-ever deal of its kind for the country. Israel
Analysis Iran’s FM Araghchi in Moscow as biting sanctions drive closer Russia ties The economic agenda of the meetings in Moscow and Tehran reflected a deliberate effort by both governments to signal momentum in a partnership increasingly shaped by isolation from the West. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Exclusive Inside Netanyahu’s pressure campaign to block Turkey, Saudi Arabia from acquiring F-35s By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Moody's credit rating downgrade puts Lebanon on par with Venezuela The major credit rating agency said Lebanon is likely to default on its debt due to a lack of reform and the collapse of the Lebanese pound. Lebanon
How COVID-19 widened Egypt’s budget gap The coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown measures have largely affected Egypt’s budget deficit. Egypt
GCC Railway: a train across a fractured Gulf? The repeatedly delayed rail network could boost regional trade and ease mobility. Originals
Serious housing crisis creeps up on Iraq Iraq is facing a difficcult housing crisis due to oil prices dropping amid the coronavirus pandemic. Iraq
History repeats itself in Iran's currency exchange market The Iranian rial continues to lose value against foreign currency, as exporters face high costs due to sanctions and the government continues a policy of forcing them to accept low exchange rates. Iran
The long road to post-COVID economic recovery in the Middle East Indicators show that economic recovery across the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf following the coronavirus pandemic may take longer and more effort than initially thought. Legacy: Gulf
Israelis take to streets, blame Netanyahu for economic crisis Thousands of Israelis hit the streets over the the weekend in protest of the government’s failure to effectively and quickly address the economic crisis induced by the coronavirus. Israel
Can Iraqi government control corruption at border outlets? Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's government has set its sights on controlling corruption that could ease the impact of the financial crisis in the country, while prioritizing the border outlets. Originals
COVID-19 puts Gulf entrepreneurs at crossroads Innovative businesses could turn the pandemic-induced downturn into an opportunity to transform Gulf economies. Are government policies responsive enough? Legacy: Gulf
Why Turkey is trying to improve its profile in the Maghreb In parallel with its military activities in Libya and rising profile in Africa, Ankara moves to strengthen its geostrategic and geo-economic ties with Maghreb countries. Turkey
Israel, UAE test potential for cooperation on COVID-19 The agreement signed between the United Arab Emirates' Group 42 and Israel’s IAI and Rafael companies offers a glimpse of the potential for cooperation -- if not deterred by annexation. United Arab Emirates
R&D potential could be key to spark Saudi economy The impact of COVID-19 and low oil prices has led to even further expected declines in Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product, but research and development could hold the key to an economic reset. Saudi Arabia
