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
Outrage as Palestinian soccer team cancels friendly with Iran The Palestinian soccer team canceled a friendly match with Iran, sparking online outrage that it was at the instigation of Iran's competitors. Legacy: Gulf
Middle East dictators feed sectarianism To assess why the Arab world is increasingly torn apart by violence in the name of sectarian identity and solidarity, we must focus on the abysmal strategies of patron-client dictatorships and economic inequality. Legacy: Gulf
Inside the world of high-end Middle Eastern art sales Sales of Middle Eastern art at Christie's Dubai are setting records for artists, highlighting the vibrant scene for modern and contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish art. Legacy: Gulf
Islamic State cell strikes Shiites in Saudi Arabia A deadly attack by an Islamic State cell on Saudi Shiites has upped the ante in the jihadists' threat to the Saudi royal family as the guardians of Islam's most holy sites. Legacy: Gulf
Remittances key for Lebanon’s economy In economically and politically stagnant Lebanon, expatriate remittances provide a relatively steady inflow of hard currency and serve as a social safety net and cushion. Legacy: Gulf
Slow progress in Saudi-Iranian ties Although Saudi and Iranian officials have cemented talks in recent months, this is not significant enough to alter ties between the two foes. Legacy: Gulf
Khamenei preaches Shiite-Sunni unity against Islamic State, US Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Eid al-Ghadeer speech revealed his concern that the coalition against the Islamic State might give Sunnis and the United States the upper hand in the region. Legacy: Gulf
How Saudi Arabia is distancing itself from Islamic State While Saudi Arabia has confronted the Islamic State, the country has denied there is any connection between its state religion and the jihadist group. Legacy: Gulf
Hamas denies Qatar is pushing it to leave Hamas officials have strenuously denied news reports that Qatar might extend its decision to expel Muslim Brotherhood leaders to include Hamas leaders residing in Doha. Legacy: Gulf
Turkish truckers try to get on the road again With the dangers and difficulties now inherent in transiting in Iraq and Syria, the Turkish transportation sector is looking for alternative routes to Middle Eastern markets. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia sees allies among Iraq's Sunni tribes The kingdom is distinguishing between Sunni tribes opposed to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and terrorist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Legacy: Gulf
Israel sees Jordan as buffer against regional 'madness' Most Israeli security officials wonder how much longer Jordan can cope with the threats on its other borders. Legacy: Gulf
