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Economy & Business

An aerial view shows the destruction across Yarmouk camp, Damascus, Syria, on November 8, 2025. Established in 1957, Yarmouk was once the largest Palestinian refugee community in Syria, but years of conflict left much of it in ruins. (Photo by Omar Albaw / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by OMAR ALBAW/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Feature

Syria’s new order faces old problems: Sanctions, reconstruction and volatility

Although President Ahmed al-Sharaa has obtained major commitments from potential foreign investors, the economic and political challenges ahead remain significant.

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

This picture taken on December 11, 2019, shows an oil tanker at the port of Ras al-Khair, about 185 kilometres north of Dammam in Saudi Arabia's eastern province overlooking the Gulf. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia advances gas ambitions as $100B Jafurah plant comes online

The Finance Ministry reported that initial output at the massive Jafurah gas field has begun, with a capacity of 450 million cubic feet per day.

An aerial view shows the destruction across Yarmouk camp, Damascus, Syria, on Nov. 8, 2025.

What role is Jordan playing in Syria's reconstruction?

As Syria’s southern neighbor, Jordan is already positioning itself as a logistics hub and diplomatic broker for Syria’s reconstruction.

RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi PIF eyes $27B Japan portfolio as kingdom courts Asian investment

Saudi Arabia is strengthening economic ties with Asian countries as it pursues its economic transformation goals.

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

Latest News

Analysis

US-Gulf critical minerals ties grow in bid to weaken China’s grip on industry

Spots of gold-rich ore speckle a stone pictured during a press tour at the Al-Amar Gold Mine, in the Riyadh region on May 28, 2008.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Saudi Arabia opens Nomu Parallel Market to new investors: What to know

A man monitors the board at the Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh, Dec. 12, 2019.

Jordan-Syria trade surges as Damascus restores transit routes

Salah Malkawi/Getty Images

UAE showcases global AI ambitions with $1B Africa pledge at G20

His Excellency President CyrilRamaphosa welcomes G20 Heads of State and Government to the G20 Leaders’ Summit, hosted by South Africa at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Gauteng, on Nov. 22, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

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

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Lebanon ruins

World Bank estimates $11B reconstruction bill for Lebanon after Israeli war

The war in Lebanon came as the country was already struggling with its worst economic crisis in decades.

A young man looks at the Bayraktar TB2 drone.

Turkey's Baykar partners with Italy’s Leonardo on drones: What to know

The joint venture could further boost Baykar’s drone fleet and comes amid improving Italy-Turkey trade ties.

Syrian central bank

UK removes 24 Syrian entities from sanctions list, including central bank

The latest decision comes after the European Union lifted several sanctions across banking and energy on Syria on Feb. 24.

The entrance to the Central Bank of Turkey, Ankara, Feb. 8, 2024.

Turkey lowers interest rates to 42.5% following dip in annual inflation

The decision to further cut interest rates follows a decline in the country's year-on-year inflation to below 40%.

EU-GCC summit

Saudi PIF, Italy sign $3B export deal as ties grow under Meloni: What to know

The agreement will help the kingdom's many giga projects as well as Italian exporters.

Tadawul

Aramco to invest up to $58B in 2025 gas, renewables ventures, CEO says

Saudi Aramco is investing in an offshore gas field and new business areas such as lithium and blue ammonia, its CEO told stockholders.

A picture shows the headquarters of UAE's state oil company ADNOC in Dubai on July 27, 2022.

UAE’s ADNOC, Austria’s OMV merge businesses to create $60B plastics firm

Following the acquisition, the new firm, called Borouge Group International (BGI), will be the world’s fourth-largest polyofin company, said ADNOC and OMV.

United Arab Emirates

Voladymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, on Feb. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Amid US rift and Saudi rivalry, UAE offers Zelenskyy economic lifeline

Gulf countries find themselves in a difficult position as they navigate placating Trump, maintaining good relations with Russia, and engaging with Ukraine while also providing mediation and humanitarian aid.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Local residents walk past the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul on March 1, 2025, on the first day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)

Inflation in Turkey dips under 40%, lowest in nearly 2 years

Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said he expected the decline in inflation to continue due to Turkish monetary policies.

TOPSHOT - UNIFIL vehicles drive past the rubble of destroyed buildings in the southern Lebanese village of Yaroun near the border with Israel on February 19, 2025. Israeli forces withdrew from a series of border villages including southeast Lebanon's Odaisseh, Kfar Kila, Mais al-Jabal, Markaba and Hula under an extended ceasefire deadline that expired on February 18, but remained in five points near the border. (Photo by Fadel ITANI / AFP) (Photo by FADEL ITANI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Lebanon faces IMF test as new cabinet prioritizes economy, reconstruction

Lebanon's new president has a 15-month window to make progress on reforms able to attract much-needed financial support, but will traditional power brokers help or hinder him?

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

usaid

Feature

How Trump's USAID cuts threw Lebanon's education system into tailspin

Students benefitting from USAID programs in Lebanon have been left in limbo after President Donald Trump ordered a freeze of international aid.

Mayah Hamadeh

By Mayah Hamadeh

An employee checks eggs at Aytekin chicken farm on on May 06, 2022 in Bandirma, Turkey.

How Turkey's egg tax complicates US soaring prices amid bird flu crisis

The US Department of Agriculture said Wednesday it will have to import between 70 and 100 million eggs in the next month or two as the outbreak derails the country’s domestic egg production.