Economy & Business - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent since 2012

Business and Economy Cover Image

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 picture taken in the Saudi Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on July 14, 2022, ahead of a visit by the United States' president to the desert kingdom, shows hosts and journalists during a presentation on the Saudi Green Initiative, which also includes goals for tree-planting and reducing emissions. - (Photo by Amer HILABI / AFP) (Photo by AMER HILABI/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia tech talent unlikely to meet industry needs by 2030

Saudi Arabia aims to be a tech hub by 2030, but regional competition over talent and investment will complicate their efforts. (Pro subscribers only)

Tamara Juburi

A Kuwaiti woman walks past a warning sign at a beach in Kuwait City, following an oil spill off the coast, Kuwait, Aug. 21, 2017.

Oil spill hits Kuwait but production unaffected

Oil production was unaffected but some people were injured, according to the state-owned oil firm.

Oil prices fall, Saudi National Bank loses $1 billion over Credit Suisse

The drop in oil prices followed more troubling global financial news as UBS bought out Credit Suisse.

Vehicles drive in Amman on February 22, 2023. (Photo by Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP) (Photo by KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Jordan economic rating shows upswing, but problems remain

Jordanians in the private sector are praising their government's ambitious economic strategies, but still see systemic inefficiencies as a barrier to making them a reality.

By Salim A. Essaid

Qatar's Emir and Paris Saint-Germain owner Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (C) looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester United at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on March 6, 2019. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Qatar's Manchester United takeover could monetize new Mideast fan base

A Qatari takeover of the English soccer club would “turbocharge” the global presence of the English Premier League, analysts told Al-Monitor

Iraq video games

With few job openings, Iraqi youth find work in creative ways

As Iraq’s economy struggles, Al-Monitor spoke to young Iraqis who are making money via video games, social media and other means.

Traders follow the movement of stock prices at the Kuwait Stock Exchange, Kuwait City, March 2, 2022.

Kuwait asks Asian refiners to take less oil as Al Zour refinery ramps up output

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation informed some buyers that Kuwait Export Blend crude supply could be reduced under new annual contracts as soon as April, according to Reuters.

An aerial view shows the Central Business District (Ruwi) in the Omani capital Muscat on April 9, 2021. (Photo by Haitham AL-SHUKAIRI / AFP) (Photo by HAITHAM AL-SHUKAIRI/AFP via Getty Images)

Investors eye state energy firm OQ as Oman stock market poised for take off

Oman's stock market is back on investors' radar after its largest IPO in over a decade saw state energy company OQ raise $244 million.

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

People take picture from a observation bridge of Rain Vortex as a train passes at Jewel Changi airport in Singapore on December 7, 2022. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Qatar loses 'World’s Best Airport' to Singapore, Turkey's Istanbul climbs to 6

Most Gulf Cooperation Council city airports went up in rank from last year's SKYTRAX’s World Airport Awards.

Egypt port

Egypt signs $1.6 billion deals with China, EU companies to develop sea ports

The Egyptian government wants its Red Sea and Mediterranean ports to help boost the economy amid rising inflation and declining foreign currency reserves.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 15, 2023.

Syria, Russia to sign 40 investment deals after Assad’s visit

Syrian President Assad also said in an interview with Sputnik that he would not meet with Turkish President Erdogan until Turkey removes its troops from Syria.

A worker in an oil field developed by Almetyevneft, an oil and gas production board (NGDU) of Tatneft.

Oil sinks below $75 a barrel, lowest price in more than a year

The news follows the Saudi National Bank declining to inject more money into the struggling Credit Suisse, as well as Silicon Valley Bank’s failure.