Newsletter: FutureVerse Gulf tech ambitions face Trump-Xi test Gulf tech powers have plenty at stake as Xi and Trump discuss US-China AI competition. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse Middle East confronts AI risks In the Middle East, governments are pouring billions into AI ambitions as Anthropic’s own Claude chatbot comes under scrutiny for creating national security risks. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse China holds its ground in Middle East AI race Last Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Egypt for the first time in a decade, with the trip coinciding with efforts by Beijing to expand its AI footprint in the country. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Who is Amir Yaryab, IRGC’s cyber commander in US crosshairs? The US State Department has offered up to $10 million for information on Amir Yaryab, who oversees a key part of Iran’s cyber operations. Iran
Newsletter: FutureVerse LEAP’s comeback By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse Economic D-day’s tech risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse Coinbase joins UAE crypto rush By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
US-China tech rivalry hits Israel as Intel cancels Tower Semiconductor deal The companies canceled the deal after failing to obtain regulatory approval from China. Israel
Iraqi militias continue to use Telegram despite block Iraq’s state media channel switched to the Israeli-founded Viber in response to the ban. Telegram is popular with protesters and militias alike in Iraq. Iraq
Japan’s Nomura subsidiary receives crypto license in UAE The crypto sector is booming in the United Arab Emirates thanks to clear regulations on virtual assets. Legacy: Gulf
Amid internal crisis, Israel fights to retain hi-tech industry with tax benefits The Israeli government has issued a new law to encourage investment in tech startups as firms consider fleeing the country on the back of the judicial overhaul. Israel
Bahraini cryptocurrency firm Rain to operate in UAE Cryptocurrency is growing in both the UAE and Bahrain amid regulatory challenges and market downturn. Legacy: Gulf
Kuwait prohibits all cryptocurrency use in new virtual assets ban Users of cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets in Kuwait would be subject to Kuwait’s 2013 money laundering and terrorist financing laws. Kuwait
Israeli tech at risk of not joining global industry recovery Israeli tech shares are sharply underperforming their US peers. David Rosenberg In Tel Aviv, reporting on business and tech
Dubai crypto authority suspends BitOasis The cryptocurrency platform BitOasis' license was suspended by Dubai's VARA due to noncompliance of licensing requirements. United Arab Emirates
Arab users flock to Meta's Threads as it takes on Twitter Threads has seen a variety of new users from the Middle East since its launch Wednesday including influencers and even heads of state. Legacy: Gulf
Iran needs drastic reforms to mitigate brain drain's impact on economy, tech sector Deteriorating socioeconomic conditions and the absence of a functioning ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship are compelling many educated Iranians to migrate. Bijan Khajehpour In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics
UAE awards China’s WeRide first license to operate self-driving cars The UAE permit will allow the Guangzhou-based driving technology company to test its level 4 human-free and fully autonomous vehicles on public roads throughout the emirates. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia leads AI global index for strategy as Israel tops Mideast rankings Saudi Arabia topped the global chart for AI government strategy, which measures the depth of national spending commitments and strategies, while other Middle East and North Africa (MENA) states lagged further behind, beginning in 23rd place. Saudi Arabia