Turkey eyes offshore energy pact with Syria in 2026 amid East Med isolation Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has offered up details on a deal with Syria that could unsettle regional rivals in the gas-rich Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Australian LNG deal marks latest step in Turkey's energy diversification push Although Turkey does not have abundant oil and gas resources, Ankara wants to position itself as a regional gas hub linking Europe and Asia. Turkey
Feature Cheap oil, tighter finances, wars constrained Mid East economies in 2025 Low oil prices, tighter financial conditions and elevated geopolitical risk hampered growth across much of the Middle East and North Africa this year. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis Egypt’s $35B Israel gas deal buys time, tests fragile energy partnership The agreement is a critical stopgap as Cairo grapples with domestic power demands, but the last two years have tested Egypt-Israel energy cooperation in unprecedented ways. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: Business & Tech A year of rapid growth reshapes Gulf finance By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Saudi Arabia announces $600 million in new investment from startups, venture capitalist Foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia slowed later in 2021 after a promising start, and some entities are reluctant to invest there due to the human rights situation. Saudi Arabia
OPEC remains committed to oil production agreement with Russia The Biden administration has been unable to get Gulf states to increase oil production to bring down prices and some European states are seeking alternatives to Russian natural gas. Legacy: Gulf
Oman's fiscal outlook improves as oil prices surge Efforts to put public finances on a healthy footing and tackle chronic budget deficits have started to pay off, facilitated by a sharp increase in oil prices, Oman’s main export. Legacy: Gulf
First women-run dairy factory opens in Gaza's Rafah Women who are the sole breadwinners of their families are working in the newly-opened women-only dairy factory in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. Palestine
War in Ukraine pushes Egypt to ramp up wheat production The Egyptian government is working to increase local wheat production to reach self-sufficiency, after the Russian war on Ukraine added many challenges to secure the country's needs for food security. Egypt
Bank of Israel may raise interest rates soon Media reports indicate that Israel’s central bank will soon raise rates to counter rising inflation. Israel
Saudi Arabia resumes visa on arrival for US, EU visa holders The kingdom greatly relaxed its visa rules before the pandemic in an effort to boost tourism. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabian export stats show mixed results in non-oil commerce Saudi Arabia is working to diversify its economy, but figures from January show it remains dependent on foreign oil sales. Saudi Arabia
Egypt seeks to contain price hikes caused by Ukraine crisis Egypt is dealing with soaring prices of bread and food products. Egypt
How Russia demanding gas payment in rubles will affect the Middle East Germany is considering buying gas from Qatar amid the war in Ukraine and the United States has been pushing the Gulf state to send more gas to Europe. Qatar
Israel’s energy minister talks Ukraine, global energy crisis in Paris Leading efforts for Israel to join the International Energy Agency, Energy Minister Karin Elharar is in Paris discussing ways to confront the challenges of the current global crisis. Israel
Israel, UAE to cooperate on clean hydroelectricity Israeli companies are eager to cooperate with Emirati partners for the development of clean, cheap and low-energy hydrogen production. Israel