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Economy & Business

An aerial view shows port of the western Syrian port city of Latakia, on Dec. 18, 2024.

Analysis

Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route?

On June 26, Emirati and Syrian officials discussed plans for a logistics corridor connecting Syrian ports to Gulf markets via Iraq.

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

Oil drilling near Dakhiliyah in the desert region of Hasakah, Syria, Jan. 25, 2026.

Syria launches gas project with Saudi firm in latest Gulf energy partnership

The project is the latest in a series of Gulf-backed investments aimed at rebuilding Syria's energy sector after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Crude oil tankers, bulk carriers and vessels sit anchored around Qaboos Port on June 22, 2026, in Muscat, Oman.

Oil falls below $71 as US-Iran talks continue, Gulf exports rebound

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in an X post on Wednesday that Iran and the United States had made "positive progress."

Latest News

Trump earns $810M from UAE-backed crypto firm: What to know

People walk past a cryptocurrency exchange office with a screen featuring US President Donald Trump holding cryptocurrency coins in Hong Kong on March 12, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

Kuwait's Zain eyes $1.5B mobile network in postwar Syria: What to know

Omar Albaw / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Here's what to know about Iraq's corruption as Zaidi launches crackdown

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Traffic plummets through Strait of Hormuz after Iran, US trade fire

AFP via Getty Images

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

THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP via Getty Images

Israel approves $33 million for quantum computing consortium

Building on its technological knowhow and entrepreneurship, Israel hopes to become a major player in quantum computing.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C) and Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali (R).

Saudi Arabia launches investment fund for sports, entertainment events

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s aggressive modernization plans have been criticized for being overly ambitious.

Representatives of OPEC member countries attend a press conference after the 45th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting in Vienna, Austria, on October 5, 2022. - The OPEC+ oil cartel meets for the first time face-to-face since Covid curbs were introduced in 2020. (Photo by VLADIMIR SIMICEK / AFP) (Photo by VLADIMIR SIMICEK/AFP via Getty Images)

Is OPEC+ losing influence over production and prices?

PRO: The next 5 years promise higher revenues for OPEC+ members, but the risks are extraordinary. (access with free trial)

Gerald Kepes

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan arrives to attends the Euromoney conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh on May 2, 2018 . - The two-day conference will focus on Saudi Arabia's finance and investments.(Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Davos 2023: Saudi Arabia 'open' to discuss trading in non-dollar currencies

Qatar also voiced support for Elon Musk’s leadership of Twitter at the annual forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Yoon Suk-yeol

South Korea-UAE visit showcases alignment on arms, energy deals

A $30 billion pledge from the UAE to invest in South Korean industries was one outcome of the four-day visit

By Salim A. Essaid

Cairo mosque

In Egypt, massive funding for new mosques questioned amid economic crisis

The Egyptian Ministry of Endowments has built thousands of new mosques in President Sisi's time in office, despite pressing needs for education, health care, and other services.

Guests attend the Global AI 2020 Summit, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 21, 2020.

Investment in Saudi Arabia startups in 2022 nears $1 billion

Saudi Arabia is the second-largest venture capital market in the Middle East, after the UAE.

Sudani germany

Iraqi PM in Germany to sign agreement with Siemens

Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani traveled to Germany Thursday to further economic ties between the two countries and sign an agreement with Siemens to repair Iraq's dilapidated electrical infrastructure.

Saudi mine

Saudi Arabia's mining sector sees boost after UK and domestic fund deals

The agreement with Saudi Arabia will help the United Kingdom reduce dependence on China, according to the British government.

An Egyptrian flag is pictured on the shore of the Suez Canal in the northeastern city of Ismailiya, on May 27, 2021. - Talks about compensations with the owner of the container ship Ever Given, that blocked the Suez Canal at the end of March are "at a standstill", Ossama Rabie, the head of the Egyptian authority that runs the Suez Canal said in an interview with AFP. The blocking that lasted six days, cost Egypt between 12 and 15 million USD per day of closure, according to the Suez Canal Authority (SCA). (

Rising Suez Canal revenues to provide much-needed lifeline for Egypt in 2023

PRO: The Suez Canal closed 2022 with record-breaking revenues, representing a key lifeline for Egypt as it faces serious economic issues (access with free trial).

Marc Español

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Egypt's pound plunges to historic low with IMF deal

Egypt has agreed to allow its currency to float in order to receive $3 billion from the International Monetary Fund.

A man watches stock movements on a display at the Dubai Financial Market stock exchange, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 12, 2022.

Analysis

Can Islamic cryptocurrencies save the industry?

Cryptocurrencies lost over a trillion dollars in value in 2022, yet Islamic coins are emerging with ethical practices claiming to potentially resist such losses.

By Salim A. Essaid