UAE firm’s $1.7B legal threat spotlights Gulf split on Lebanon as Qatar invests Lebanon’s bid to lure Gulf investment into its crisis-stricken economy is facing turbulence as Dubai's Al Habtoor Group threatens legal action over more than $1.7 billion in losses, while Qatar is making an investment push. Lebanon
Syria leans on Jordan, regional gas deals to rebuild energy sector The deal was signed at the Syrian Ministry of Energy between Syrian Petroleum Company and Jordan’s National Electric Power Company, SANA reported. Syria
Qatari, Swiss firms to invest $2.7B in Libya's Misrata port: What to know Libya is seeking to increase its non-oil shipping capacity amid rising oil production and signs of both economic progress and turmoil. Qatar
Saudi Arabia and Qatar ink high-speed rail deal advancing Gulf integration Saudi Arabia is seeking to boost its railway infrastructure, and longstanding efforts to connect Gulf states by train are finally gaining momentum. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Iran’s mismanagement in focus as fires ravage 25-million-year-old forests By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Iran revives cross-border rail projects in bid to anchor Eurasian trade routes By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis Water for influence: Turkey moves to ease Iraq's water shortages ahead of elections By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
FIFA, Arab League, World Bank: Who's pledging what toward Gaza’s $70B reconstruction? More than 90% of Gaza’s residential buildings have been damaged, and nearly 70% of all structures have either been severely damaged or leveled over the course of the war. Palestine
Analysis Jordan’s water security caught between $5B megaproject, frayed Israel ties Amman's efforts to tackle acute water challenges have delivered breakthroughs in 2025, while progress toward the end of the Gaza war could see revived interest in Israel-Jordan water ties. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Egypt steps up alarm on Ethiopia megadam as Sudan battles floods: What to know Sudan’s government earlier this week warned of high risk of floods across six of the country’s 18 states. Sudan
Iran's nuclear chief in Moscow, eyes nuclear power plant deal with Russia Mohammad Eslami’s visit comes just a week after Russia’s energy minister was in Tehran, and a month after the CEO of Rosatom confirmed ongoing negotiations with Iran to build new nuclear plants in the country. Iran
India weighs options as US ends waiver for Iran’s Chabahar Port: What to know India has been working to develop the strategically important Gulf port for close to a decade, but the move has been complicated by US sanctions on Iran. Iran
Analysis UAE bets big on Pakistan: Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure drive for Asia influence Abu Dhabi is making multi-pronged investments in a broad push into Pakistan’s transport and trade sectors. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Saudi firm to pump $700M into economic zone developer in Africa The kingdom's Vision Invest will invest in pan-African developer Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms, which will use the funds to expand across the continent and develop green industrial ecosystems. Saudi Arabia
Middle East internet slows after Red Sea cables cut: What to know Yemen's internationally recognized government accused the Houthi rebels of planning to attack underwater cables in the Red Sea in February 2024. Kuwait
Sudan, Egypt FMs urge Ethiopia to change course ahead of megadam launch Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced in July that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has been completed and will be formally inaugurated in September. Sudan
Syria partners with Nokia to rebuild digital infrastructure after years of war The new Syrian government wants to expand internet access in the country after damage during the civil war and years of underinvestment due to sanctions. Syria
China, UAE are transforming African economies, but on whose terms? China and the UAE are racing to get ahead in Africa’s economic future, each using a different playbook. United Arab Emirates
12 international, local firms bid to operate Iraq's Mosul airport destroyed by ISIS Iraq seeks to develop its air sector now that security conditions have improved in the country, hoping to play a bigger role in regional transit corridors. Iraq
