Analysis Can Gulf states slash costly reliance on Western consultancies? A one-year ban on PwC acquiring work in Saudi Arabia has highlighted the Gulf states' dependency on Western firms and the need to develop local consultancies and talent. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Can Saudi Arabia afford giga-projects with oil prices under $75 per barrel? Riyadh could soon run a current account deficit as oil revenue declines amid huge spending commitments toward ambitious Vision 2030 projects. Saudi-led OPEC has also deferred an output increase plan to allow more time to reach desired oil prices. By Jennifer Gnana , Samuel Wendel
UAE's final unit of Barakah nuclear reactor hooked to grid: What we know The Emirates is the only Gulf country with a nuclear power program, though neighboring Saudi Arabia also has atomic power ambitions. United Arab Emirates
Saudi entity denies its ship hit as Houthis claim attack on Greek tanker Saudi Arabia's national shipping company Bahri denied reports that its tanker Amjad came under attack by the Houthis, the Yemeni armed group that has stepped up attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea. Yemen
Analysis Telegram CEO's arrest spotlights UAE’s investment-based citizenship laws By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Why Russia's Mideast agenda doesn't appeal to GCC Both Russia and the Gulf states have pursued divergent foreign policies for years, though some may be ready for an alliance. Legacy: Gulf
Ex-Obama adviser: Missile defense may avert GCC proliferation Retired Gen. James Cartwright, a former commander of US Strategic Command, says that missile defense could persuade Persian Gulf states to forswear nuclear weapons despite their concerns about an upcoming nuclear accord with Iran. Legacy: Gulf
Former Iran ambassador: Saudis must accept Houthis In an interview with Al-Monitor, Seyed Ali Asghar Ghoreishi, former Iranian ambassador to Yemen, discussed the nature of Iran's support for the Houthis, elements necessary to end the fighting in Yemen and the possibility of extremist groups seizing large sections of territory in Yemen. Legacy: Gulf
Minister warns of Libya's division Al-Monitor interviewed the Libyan undersecretary of the Information Ministry, Haitham al-Hadi Kamouka, who talked about some countries’ attempts to divide Libya into three states. Legacy: Gulf
Bahrain bristles at threat to move 5th Fleet The House passed an annual defense bill that requires the Navy to plan for a potential relocation. Legacy: Gulf
Obama, GCC leaders forge consensus on Iran Summit statement concludes that a “comprehensive, verifiable” nuclear deal “is in the security interests” of all parties; Kerry emphasizes need for US-Russia cooperation on Syria. Legacy: Gulf
US works to assure Gulf allies US Secretary of State John Kerry has been in Paris to try and ease tensions with Gulf allies over the prospective Iran nuclear deal ahead of the GCC meeting in Washington. Legacy: Gulf
Hamas courts Saudis Hamas is seeking a rapprochement with Saudi Arabia to improve its leverage in Palestinian reconciliation talks, which might not please Egypt, which has long brokered the discussions, or Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas. Legacy: Gulf
Al-Qaeda emir's silence prompts suspicion Al-Qaeda's usually outspoken emir, Ayman al-Zawahri, has remained uncharacteristically silent through the course of recent al-Qaeda successes, leading many to question what may come next. Legacy: Gulf
Turks fear Saudi alliance will drag country into Syria Opposition politicians in Turkey have charged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with leading Turkey to war in Syria. Legacy: Gulf
GCC won’t get written defense guarantees at Camp David Former Pentagon official says formal defense treaty with GCC is “not in the cards” at next week’s summit. Legacy: Gulf
Oman breaks from GCC on Yemen conflict Oman sees Saudi Arabia's strategy in Yemen as misguided and dangerous for the Gulf region. Legacy: Gulf
