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 Also this week: Jeddah flavors, public art and Aseer’s cool escape By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Business & Tech Iran keeps Hormuz reopening on hold Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remained low, with only five commodity vessels transiting the waterway on Tuesday, according to data from maritime tracking firm Kpler. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Herzog: Saudi normalization talks could resume as Gaza ceasefire enters next phase The Israeli president said the rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia “should be the future vision of the Middle East.” Israel
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Monumental art takes over AlUla’s desert Also this week: Chinese fine dining, Saudi contemporary art and Red Sea craftsmanship By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Interview Saudi Arabia keeps doors open to US, China in critical minerals race Washington is playing catch-up with Beijing to get its slice of the critical minerals sector, which is essential to strategic industries like clean energy, defense and electronics. Bandar Alkhorayef Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh The Ship of Tolerance sails into Jeddah Also this week: new pizzeria in Riyadh, AlUla exhibitions and Spanish culture By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Gulf How Gulf states view possible US strike on Iran Saudi Arabia has led a quiet push — alongside Oman and Qatar — to persuade Washington against intervening militarily, warning that escalation would rattle oil markets and risk destabilizing the Gulf. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Syria’s Sharaa heads to Davos, ending years of global isolation The World Economic Forum begins on January 19 and ends on January 23, hosting a cohort of around 400 political leaders. Syria
Israel holds drills, prepares missile defenses for possible Iran attack: What to know Israel is on high alert over the possibility of an American strike on Iran, which could trigger Iranian retaliation against the Jewish state. Israel
MidEast VC funding hits record $3.8B in 2025, driven by strong Gulf showing Many emerging venture markets contracted in 2025, but the Middle East and North Africa bucked the trend. Saudi Arabia
Analysis How Trump’s Venezuela oil grab could test OPEC’s power, Mideast energy models Over the longer term, Washington’s bid to bring the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves firmly into its orbit raises questions for OPEC's strategy and the outlook for big-spending Gulf producers. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Amid Saudi-UAE rivalry, Turkey courts Riyadh without crossing Abu Dhabi Turkey is moving closer to Saudi Arabia on key regional security files from Yemen to Gaza, while carefully avoiding a rupture with the United Arab Emirates. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US envoy pushes for Sudan truce in meeting with UAE’s MBZ after talks in Saudi Arabia Boulos’ meeting in Abu Dhabi follows discussions earlier this week in Riyadh, as the two Gulf countries navigate both Sudan diplomacy and a dispute over Yemen. Sudan
Meet Aidarus Zubaidi: Separatist leader at heart of Yemen’s power struggle Zubaidi’s Southern Transitional Council has experienced massive losses at the hands of the Yemeni government as Saudi Arabia ups its military campaign against the UAE-backed group. Yemen