Newsletter: FutureVerse LEAP’s comeback The fifth edition of the gathering offers a temperature check for the Gulf’s AI ambitions amid fallout from the US-Israel-Iran war. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan set Mecca Alliance into motion The three countries are moving to formalize military coordination under the newly named Mecca Alliance amid renewed hostilities between Iran and the US. Saudi Arabia
Iraq reinforces Saudi border security amid militia tensions: What to know Iraq is sending the reinforcements in response to Iran-backed militia attacks and as it looks to build security ties with Riyadh. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran sets conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz Syria, Saudi Arabia to establish joint bank; Lebanon, UAE ink deals, deepen economic ties; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh AlUla brings Saudi creativity to Paris By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Business & Tech Iran keeps Hormuz reopening on hold By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Biden administration pauses arms sales to Gulf pending review The freeze includes the F-35 deal for the United Arab Emirates and bombs for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Explosions over Riyadh as CENTCOM commander visits region No group has yet claimed credit for the blasts, which came three days after the Saudi military said it shot down an enemy projectile over Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Biden’s pick for top intelligence official vows to report to Congress on Jamal Khashoggi murder Avril Haines says the Biden administration will release to lawmakers an unclassified intelligence assessment on who was behind the murder of the Saudi dissident journalist. Saudi Arabia
Egyptian who ruled in favor of ceding key islands to Saudi Arabia voted parliament speaker Egypt’s parliament elected Hanafy Ali el-Gebaly as its new speaker, raising controversy as Gebaly chaired the Supreme Constitutional Court that validated an agreement under which Egypt agreed to transfer the strategic Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Can World Cup soccer help heal Gulf wounds? Communities torn apart by a yearslong rift between Gulf rulers may need time to heal the wounds of a crisis that damaged social ties that have historically transcended borders. Saudi Arabia
Pentagon’s top policy official meets Saudi Arabia’s deputy defense minister in Riyadh Anthony Tata sat down with Prince Khalid bin Salman on Thursday, but details of the discussion remain unclear. Saudi Arabia
UAE reopens land, sea, air ports to Qatar following Gulf deal The announcement comes after Gulf leaders this week agreed to end their years-long embargo of Qatar. Saudi Arabia
Gulf countries end feud, but Saudi cleric who urged detente still in jail Salman Aloudah's son says it's ironic that Saudi Arabia is hailing the end of the Gulf rift but silencing a prominent voice who called on the neighbors to mend ties. Saudi Arabia
Oil prices at highest since February 2020 following Saudi output cut Oil producers are concerned that the continued COVID-19 pandemic could hurt demand. Legacy: Gulf
Gulf unity deal further isolates Iran Healing the Gulf Cooperation Council rift is a parting gift for Trump and a welcome gift for Biden in dealing with the Islamic Republic. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen killed 99 civilians in 2020, monitor says According to Mwatana, a majority of the civilians who died in coalition airstrikes last year were women and children. Saudi Arabia
Qatar, Gulf states ink 'solidarity and stability' deal in Saudi Arabia The agreement was struck a day after Saudi Arabia agreed to reopen its air, land and sea borders to rival Qatar. Saudi Arabia