Large UAE delegation set to arrive in Lebanon in major investment push A large Emirati delegation of around 70 business leaders and government officials is heading to Beirut, in the latest sign of thaw between the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon. Lebanon
France, Saudi Arabia announce more than $10B in deals on MBS visit Among the deals included a 6 billion euro ($7 billion) pledge from the Public Investment Fund in three manga-themed amusement parks on the outskirts of Paris. Saudi Arabia
China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know China’s once significant oil imports from Iran have been impacted by the war in the region and increasing US sanctions. Iran
Explainer King Abdullah visits China as region hedges against US unpredictability With no end in sight to the war in Iran and an unchecked Israeli policy across the region, the kingdom is hedging against future uncertainty and a less predictable US policy. China
Is ‘national reconciliation’ Iran's key weapon to win economic war? A top pro-reform official in Iran said national unity and reconciliation are in the making to defuse the US-led economic pressure and media war against the country. Iran
Egypt goes against IMF advice, boosting public investments The International Monetary Fund is keen to reduce Egypt's investments in the country in favor of private investment, but the new government has decided to increase the amount it will spend. Egypt
Iran arrests top state managers as anti-corruption drive forges ahead Iran's judiciary is intensifying its crackdown on state managers accused of massive fraud amid a currency crisis the country is struggling to overcome. Iran
Will Iranian Kurds be on front lines of US conflict with Iran? The US administration appears to increasingly be looking at armed Iranian Kurdish opposition groups as part of its campaign to economically and militarily pressure Iran. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Tunisian economy continues to struggle The Tunisian government just received another part of its loan from the International Monetary Fund and assures citizens it is taking appropriate measures to solve the country's economic crisis. Tunisia
How Turkish exporters plan to avoid impact of US trade wars Turkish businesspeople have outlined an investment plan to duck US tariffs and increase sales to the world’s largest consumer market. Turkey
Could Hifter's about-face on control of Libya's oil lead to real progress? Khalifa Hifter’s decision to return control of the oil ports under his authority to the National Oil Corporation, three weeks after seizing them, could be seen as a goodwill gesture that will prompt genuine progress toward an agreement between the two sides. Libya
Parliament puts price on Egyptian citizenship A controversial bill that would allow foreign nationals to purchase Egyptian citizenship has passed through parliament and awaits the president’s signature. Egypt
Sanctions threaten Iran's dream of becoming Eurasian transport hub Lack of financing and the potential collapse of the nuclear deal threaten Iranian plans to complete the infrastructure necessary for the International North-South Transport Corridor. Regional
Turkey’s one-man regime denied confidence vote by markets The downturn in the Turkish economy looms as a major challenge for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as economic actors show little confidence in his new and sweeping powers and his selection of his son-in-law to manage the economy. Turkey
Khamenei: Iran must expand ties with East as well as West In a meeting with members of the Cabinet, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei emphasized the need for Iran to expand ties with both Eastern and Western nations. United States
Momentum builds for Iran to meet global financial watchdog requirements Iran’s political elite finally appear to have enough momentum to pass key measures to satisfy FATF’s demands for greater transparency and compliance with international standards, which will improve the changes of Iran and the European Union to build on their economic relations. Iran
