GCC Relations

French Trade & Invest Commissioner for United Arab Emirates and Middle East and Business France's regional director for the Middle East Axel Baroux. — Business France

Interview

Franco-Gulf investment holds firm despite Iran war, French official says

French investors are reallocating capital toward strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence and technology rather than pulling out of the region altogether.

Axel Baroux

France’s trade and investment commissioner for the UAE and Middle East

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji meets with Fahd bin Abdulrahman bin Hathloul Al-Dosari, the new Saudi ambassador to Lebanon, in Beirut on June 17, 2026.

Who is Fahd Al-Dosari, Saudi Arabia’s new ambassador to Lebanon?

Ambassador Fahd bin Abdulrahman bin Hathloul Al-Dosari, a seasoned diplomat, arrives in Beirut as Saudi Arabia seeks to strengthen its ties with Lebanon.

Veiled women in black Chadors wave Iran and Hezbollah flags during commemoration at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 22, 2026.

Gulf cautiously welcomes US-Iran deal as Hezbollah congratulates Tehran

Arab and regional countries welcomed the deal to end the war between Iran and the United States.

Aluminum from Dubai sits in the BMW Landshut factory on Oct. 25, 2024 in Ergolding, Germany.

Analysis

Gulf aluminum pursues global deals as Hormuz crisis accelerates shift

Gulf aluminum exporters are targeting global deals amid fallout from the US-Israel-Iran war, which has pushed prices to multiyear highs in early June.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Saudi Arabia lifts 5-year ban on Lebanon imports: What to know

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam (R) shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan before their meeting in Beirut on Jan. 23, 2025.

Bahrain bans mourning of Iran's Khamenei as Gulf reels from attacks

Ashura

Analysis

Why Iran strikes on Kuwait pose dilemma for US Navy’s blockade

Smoke rises from an area of Kuwait's international airport after a reported drone strike on April 1, 2026.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Kuwait blames Iran for deadly airport attack as war escalates: What to know

Kuwaiti security officers stand beneath a screen displaying portraits of the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah (R) and the Kuwaiti crown prince Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah, alongside the words "Pride and Glory", at Kuwait International Airport in Kuwait City on June 1, 2026, as the airport resumes operations following a phased reopening plan.

FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images

As Hajj kicks off, Saudi Arabia looks to expand tourism sector

While leisure tourism is gaining momentum in Saudi Arabia, religious tourism still dominates the sector.

Sebastian Castelier

By Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Invest Qatar sees big role for logistics sector, World Cup spurred investments

The Gulf country ranks seventh globally in logistics competence in Agility's Emerging Markets Logistics Index as the Qatar Free Zones Authority brings in top companies in the sector.

Saudi Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas, on March 18, 2024.

Will Saudi Aramco's massive share sale to raise $12B pay off?

Saudi Arabia is selling a 0.64% stake in its state energy company in a bid to offset rising debt and fund its economic diversification plans, but foreign investors remain wary.

Sebastian Castelier

By Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian attends the Moldova support conference at the Foreign Ministry, Berlin, Germany, April 5, 2022.

Le Drian says France keen to help Saudi Arabia transition away from oil

France's former top diplomat said that his country was supportive of Saudi Arabia's efforts to diversify its economy.

AYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia sees 477% increase in multinational HQs in first quarter

The 127 international companies relocating to Saudi Arabia so far this year follow a Saudi program to attract world businesses.

The Sudanese (L) and Saudi flag are seeing flying on the tarmac during a joint Sudan and Saudi Arabia air force drill at the Marwa air base, near Meroe some 350 kilometres north of Khartoum, on April 9, 2017.

Analysis

Can Gulf investors outstrip China in Africa as UAE expands reach?

As the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC states boost investments in Africa,Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative could face serious challenges.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MAY 6: Elon Musk, co-founder of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of X Holdings Corp., speaks at the Milken Institute's Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel,on May 6, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. The 27th annual global conference explores various topics, from the rise of generative AI to electric vehicle trends and features participants, soccer star David Beckham and actor Ashton Kutcher. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images)

Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal invests in Elon Musk’s $24B AI startup

Kingdom Holding Company also holds a stake in Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Goldman Sachs first Wall Street bank to get green light for Saudi Arabia HQ

The US-headquartered investment bank received a license from the Saudi Ministry of Investment to set up its regional headquarters in the capital, Riyadh.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia takes his seat ahead of a working lunch at the G20 Summit on Nov. 15, 2022, in Nusa Dua, Indonesia.

Saudi Arabia looks to Japan to hedge exposure to China

Expanding economic ties with Japan is a focus of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification plan as it looks to venture into new industries, including auto manufacturing and gaming.

Sebastian Castelier

By Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT - FEBRUARY 24: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia during talks with UK Prime Minister Theresa May while they attend the first Arab-European Summit on February 24, 2019 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Leaders from European and Arab nations are meeting for the two-day summit to discuss topics including security, trade and migration. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Saudi crown prince cancels Japan trip over King Salman's health concerns

The Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday that the crown prince’s 88-year-old father, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, was suffering from lung inflammation and will be treated at the Al Salam Palace in Jeddah.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrives at presidential Elysee Palace to meet France's President in Paris on July 28, 2022. French President Emmanuel Macron host Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris on July 28, 2022, outraging rights groups and the fiancee of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP) (Photo by BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images)

In Japan, Saudi Arabia's crown prince eyes expansion of energy, defense ties

In an upcoming visit to Tokyo, the Saudi crown prince will have an audience with the Japanese prime minister, among others, to discuss a "broad range" of issues.

This picture shows a man monitoring the board at the Saudi Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh, on Dec. 12, 2019.

Gulf consolidates stature as sovereign wealth hub, lags on per capita holdings

A frenzy of recent initial public offerings has again highlighted Gulf states' statuses as global wealth hubs.

Sebastian Castelier

By Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business