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Economy & Business

Excess gas is burned at the oil refinery in Israel's northern city of Haifa late on March 19, 2026.

Analysis

Iran expands energy targets beyond Gulf as Red Sea and East Med come into play

In retaliation for strikes on its energy sector, Tehran's campaign against regional oil and gas infrastructure has intensified and broadened to include Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port and an Israeli refinery in Haifa.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrives to attend an event in the East Room of the White House, Washington, DC, March 5, 2026.

US weighs easing Iran oil sanctions amid Hormuz crisis: What to know

A possible move by the Treasury would reduce pressure on Iranian crude as Washington seeks to offset supply losses tied to Iran's virtual closure of the strait.

A picture of Qatar Energy's operating facilities on March 3, 2026 in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.

Analysis

How Iran's strike on Qatar gas field could impact LNG market for years

Damage from an Iranian strike on the world's largest LNG export hub could take significant supply offline for years as Qatar considers whether to declare force majeure on long-term contracts supplying Europe and Asia.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

In this aerial view, Storage tanks at Grain LNG importation terminal, operated by National Grid Plc sit near the River Medway in the Thames Estuary on March 12, 2026, in Isle of Grain, England.

After 35% surge, how far could Gulf disruptions push European gas?

Benchmark European natural gas futures were up as much as 35% to above 68 euros ($78.09) per MWh on Thursday.

Latest News

UAE steps in to support banks as war pressure builds: What to know

AFP via Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Iran war tests Gulf dealmaking as foreign investors assess risks

The city skyline is pictued in Dubai on March 11, 2026. The oil-rich Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran's attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes that sparked the Middle East war, with Tehran targeting US assets but also civilian infrastructure. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP via Getty Images)

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

How long can markets hold their bet on Gulf resilience as war drags on?

The city skyline is pictured in Dubai on March 11, 2026.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Sabena Siddiqui

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

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

A man looks at the exchange board at the Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh displaying Aramco shares on the second day of their trading on December 12, 2019.

Saudi's Aramco could list in Hong Kong as China relations warm

Aramco's latest deals in the Chinese market are fueling speculation that the Saudi giant could be set to list one of its subsidiary companies on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE).

Israel technology

Report: Israel tech sector still among world’s strongest

Judicial fallout and layoffs have not hurt the industry's world standing, according to a report from Dealroom.co and Tel Aviv Tech.

A vendor sells traditional sweets at a market in the southern city of Sidon (Saida) on March 23, 2023 as Muslim devotees shop during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Grueling Ramadan for Lebanon's Muslims as prices, dollarization bite

As all goods are priced in dollars this year, food prices have skyrocketed, making the holy month more burdensome for the Lebanese whose wages are limited while the value of the local currency continues to deteriorate.

An Egyptian girl takes part in wheat harvest in Bamha village near al-Ayyat town in Giza province, some 60Km south of the capital on May 17, 2022. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt’s new grain security strategy put to test as Ukraine war enters second year

Egypt's new strategy to cope with major grain supply disruptions from the Ukraine war has worked well in its first year. But there are still challenges ahead.

Marc Español

A woman reacts as retired servicemen protest to demand inflation-adjustments to their pensions outside Lebanon's central bank headquarters in Beirut on March 30, 2023. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon on cusp of network blackout as dispute grows with telecom workers

The Lebanese government has threatened to take over the country’s state-run telecom company with the help of the army as workers continue to strike for a salary increase.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Saint Petersburg on October 11, 2022. (Photo by Pavel Bednyakov / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by PAVEL BEDNYAKOV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE Central Bank revokes license of Russia's MTS Bank as sanctions tighten

The Central Bank of the UAE plans to close the Russian bank’s operations within six months from the date of the decision.

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

UAE, Qatar lead Middle East in 2023 global foreign investment ranking

The United Arab Emirates sat in the top position among MENA markets and ranked 4th globally.

Karen Young event

The Economic Statecraft of the Gulf Arab States: A book talk with Karen Young

Register now for this in-person event in Washington, DC on Monday, April 3.

Cairo peddler

Egypt raises interest rates again as inflation continues to creep up

The Central Bank of Egypt’s rate hikes have so far been unable to curb inflation.

AFP via Getty Images

China settles first LNG trade in yuan with UAE deal

China has held several discussions with countries in the Middle East and North Africa about conducting trade using its local currency.

ALI AL-SAADI/AFP via Getty Images

International oil firms stop operations as Iraqi-Kurdish oil dispute continues

A Kurdish official told Al-Monitor that the Kurdistan Regional Government disagrees with an Iraqi government proposal to resolve the issue, as the stoppage of oil exports to Turkey threatens the autonomous region's economy.

The national flags of Saudi Arabia (R) and China are displayed from a road lamp at Tiananmen square in Beijing on February 21, 2019. - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is on a visit to China from February 21 to 22. (Photo by WANG Zhao / AFP) (Photo by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudis joining Shanghai Cooperation Organization as China bromance blossoms

Russia, China and a number of former Soviet states in Central Asia created the SCO in 2001 to counter US hegemony in the region.