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 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 By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Israeli-Saudi normalization efforts top Ronen Levy's agenda in Washington An Israeli diplomatic source told Al-Monitor on Tuesday that "the key to an Israeli-Saudi agreement lies in Washington... it is on President Biden's desk and not buried deep in a side drawer.” Israel
Saudi Arabia increases stake in EA gaming by 55% The PIF held 16.01 million shares in Electronic Arts (EA) before Q4 2022, but after Q1 2023, it held 24.81 million shares. Saudi Arabia
Analysis For Israel, normalization with Saudi Arabia not impossible Israel is cautiously optimistic about US efforts to push Saudi Arabia towards normalization. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Dubai’s DP World signs deals with China seaport companies in latest push Ningbo-Zhoushan port said it will boost its Dubai station project as part of China’s Road and Belt Initiative. United Arab Emirates
In Saudi, US embraces a West Asia architecture with India, UAE New relationships across the continent may promote both economic development and security. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis Saudi Aramco, high-value IPOs face impending pressure in 2023 The United Arab Emirates saw the world’s largest IPO of first quarter 2023, with ADNOC Gas PLC raising $2.5 billion on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. By Salim A. Essaid
UAE's Emirates reports record $2.9 billion in profit after two years of losses The Dubai-based airline’s numbers indicate it has finally recovered from the coronavirus pandemic. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia seizes 8 million Captagon pills as it courts Syria's Assad to clamp down The kingdom and Jordan both want Syria to help stop the flourishing drug trade as they seek normalization with the Assad government. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Turkey Elections: Gulf investments likely to be challenged if Erdogan loses Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People’s Party and presidential competitor, said he will reevaluate Gulf country purchases in Turkey if he wins in the May 14 elections. By Salim A. Essaid
Saudi Aramco profit drops 19% on lower oil prices Aramco has signed major deals with companies in China, the United States and South Korea recently, and OPEC+ recently announced a supply cut. Saudi Arabia
US delegation in Israel after Saudi visit, discussing regional projects with Netanyahu Advancing the I2U2 initiative, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to meet in Jerusalem with envoys of the Biden administration, following their trip to Saudi Arabia where they held extensive talks on infrastructure projects that involve India, Gulf countries and Israel. Israel
Saudi Arabia and China’s Baosteel to establish steel complex Saudi entities, including oil giant Aramco, have made a number of agreements with Chinese entities in the past year as Sino-Saudi ties continue to gain momentum. Legacy: Gulf