Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan The proposed framework faces major hurdles and fault lines, ranging from NATO constraints to Israeli opposition and weak military integration. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
In Lebanon, Saudi Arabia pursues quiet diplomacy as Trump pushes Israel normalization Saudi Arabia has been engaged in intense diplomacy in Lebanon in recent days, leading up to the extension of a ceasefire with Israel. Lebanon
Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Ithra brings MENA design to Milan Also this week: Lana Khayat at Art Dubai and Najdi dining in Diriyah By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse NEOM’s new logistics look By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
What’s behind Saudi Public Investment Fund’s $17.2B profit? The sovereign wealth fund’s turnaround following the loss in 2022 is due in large part to the stock market rebounding. Saudi Arabia
Saudi defense chief in Turkey, meets Erdogan as drone sales grow Turkey and Saudi Arabia signed a major drone deal last year in one of several recent demonstrations of strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries. Saudi Arabia
Is Saudi Arabia’s $100B foreign investment drive starting to yield results? Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Trump Tower deal announced in Jeddah as Saudi business ties grow The Trump Organization recently unveiled a development in Oman, while Trump’s golf course is again hosting the Saudi-backed LIV Golf this year. Saudi Arabia
Kuwait doubles down on Saudi ties driven by economics, counter-Islamism Kuwait's newly appointed crown prince, Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah, is expected to advance the already good ties between his country and Saudi Arabia, as the two seek to further their economic prosperity. Kuwait
Iran claims Saudi Arabia won't let Iranian pilgrims vote Iranian worshippers resumed Umrah pilgrimages to holy sites in Saudi Arabia in April after the two countries resumed relations last year. Iran
Saudi defense chief in China in bid for help with Houthis, boost military ties China was a major participant in the World Defense Show in Riyadh earlier this year, and Saudi Arabia signed $4 billion in arms deals with the People’s Republic in 2022. Saudi Arabia
Heat, old age, heart conditions blamed for over 1,000 deaths at Hajj Many of those who died were unregistered users who suffered from the intense heat in Saudi Arabia, according to regional authorities. Saudi Arabia
14 Jordanian, 5 Iranian pilgrims die at Saudi Hajj from extreme heat Last month was the hottest May on record, according to scientists, and rising temperatures are particularly concerning for the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Why Uzbekistan is increasingly looking to Turkey, Saudi Arabia for investment Tashkent is trying to diversify energy sources and bring in fresh foreign investment, turning to both Turkey and Saudi Arabia to accomplish this. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Why is Saudi Arabia cutting funding, reducing costs on ambitious projects? Saudi Arabia is reevaluating its financial priorities under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify the nation away from a reliance on oil. Saudi Arabia