Qatar PM in Beirut as Lebanon seeks economic relief: What to know Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani’s visit to Beirut coincides with the Lebanese authorities’ ongoing efforts to curb Hezbollah’s influence in the country. Lebanon
Iraq’s Zaidi, Saudi crown prince discuss security as Houthi attacks escalate Iraq has moved to improve ties with Saudi Arabia after Iran-backed militias struck the kingdom and amid the conflict with the Houthis in Yemen. Iraq
Who is Abdulrahman Alfozan, Saudi national charged in bugging OpenAI meetings? The Saudi national who was arrested for allegedly planting a covert listening device at OpenAI’s offices has extensive experience working at leading technology companies in the US and serves as a venture partner at a Saudi venture capital firm. Saudi Arabia
Iran offers Saudi-Yemen dialogue as fighting, Houthi attacks escalate The Saudi-backed government in Yemen passed a draft law designating the Iran-backed Houthis as a terror group, as the US considers further action against the group over its attacks against Saudi Arabia. Yemen
Analysis Who are Yemen's Southern Giants Brigades leading the fight against the Houthis? By Giorgio Cafiero
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. China
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. Qatar
Analysis As US-Iran nuclear talks hit deadlock, can Gulf consortium offer solution? The two sides remain at odds over the central issue of uranium enrichment, blocking progress at the highest level. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Pentagon formally accepts Qatar’s luxury megajet for Trump: What to know Qatar's offer to provide the US president with $400 million aircraft is likely to reinforce Democratic opposition to recently announced major arms sales to the Gulf kingdom. United States
Saudi airline to resume Hajj flights to Iran after 10-year hiatus: What to know A Saudi-operated flight landed in Tehran last weekend as Iran and Saudi Arabia seek to expand their air connectivity. Iran
Analysis Trump promises arms sales to the Gulf, but can he deliver? By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
US, Qatar's $243.5B deal includes sale of up to 210 Boeing jets: What to know The United States and Qatar inked economic deals worth more than $243.5 billion, laying the groundwork for a bigger $1.2 trillion package of expanded investment and trade, the White House said. Qatar
US, Saudi Arabia ink $600B economic pact amid AI, energy deals The economic partnership agreement includes energy, mining and defense pacts, according to a White House readout. Saudi Arabia
Defense, energy and AI deals await Trump during Gulf visit: What to know Trump will kick off his regional trip by participating in a Saudi-US Investment Forum meeting, while Qatar and the UAE may be eyeing more cooperation defense and technology. Saudi Arabia
From Nixon to Trump: A look at US presidential visits to the Gulf As Trump prepares for his visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Al-Monitor looks back at the history of US presidential trips to the Gulf. United States
Trump heads to Gulf as markets surge on US-China tariff deal China and the United States said on Monday they agreed on a deal to cut reciprocal tariffs by 110% from May 14 as they seek to end the trade war that has upended global markets. Saudi Arabia
US eases foreign investment rules days before Trump Gulf visit: What to know Gulf states are estimated to manage 40% of the world’s sovereign wealth and are some of the biggest investors in the United States. Saudi Arabia
