Newsletter: Daily Briefing Vance says Switzerland talks laid 'good foundation' for final deal Early US-Iran talks in Switzerland point to cautious progress By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Juma Al Haj captures a nation in crisis through art Also this week: Emerging designers honored, a new Dubai gastrobar opens, and collage art comes to Kutubna. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Interview Franco-Gulf investment holds firm despite Iran war, French official says French investors are reallocating capital toward strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence and technology rather than pulling out of the region altogether. Axel Baroux France’s trade and investment commissioner for the UAE and Middle East
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf defense giants head to Europe As Gulf states recalibrate after months of conflict with Iran, defense priorities are shifting from emergency procurement to long-term industrial partnerships. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says US deal requires Israeli forces to leave Lebanon By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Region welcomes US-Iran deal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
UAE’s MBZ reportedly cancels Japan visit amid US-Iran standoff: What to know While tensions remain high between the US and Iran, both sides are reportedly moving toward renewed nuclear talks. United Arab Emirates
Gulf markets recover after gold rout, buoyed by Iran de-escalation hopes Saudi Arabia’s benchmark stock index, TASI, rose 1.4%, a day after falling the most in nearly 10 months amid a broad sell-off in the commodities market. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Caught in the Gulf crossfire: Pakistan navigates Saudi-UAE rivalry Pakistan has to walk a fine line to ensure that it maintains vital economic relations with the United Arab Emirates while sustaining long-standing defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
US-Iran tensions fan oil disruption fears as Gulf states confront retaliation risks From blocking the Strait of Hormuz and seizing commercial shipping to striking energy infrastructure, Tehran’s retaliation playbook could rattle the region as Gulf states fear red lines have been crossed. Iran
Abu Dhabi merges ADQ into new wealth fund L'IMAD: What to know Under the new structure, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, will oversee a broader swath of the emirate’s investment holdings. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai “Urdu Worlds”: Dubai hosts UAE’s first contemporary art exhibition on the Urdu language Also this week: A bookish new eatery opens in Alserkal, Sikka Art & Design Festival takes over Dubai’s heritage districts and and new exhibitions spotlight emerging voices By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
UAE President meets Putin in Russia to discuss nuclear energy, trade, Iran The visit of Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed comes a day after the Kremlin hosted President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss the future of Russian military bases in Syria. Russia
UAE Central Bank approves first US dollar-backed stablecoin: What to know The approval marks a milestone in the UAE’s development of digital currency infrastructure and positions USDU as the Gulf country’s first USD-denominated currency for digital assets. United Arab Emirates
Gold hits $5,300 as UAE market adjusts to record prices Dubai is one of the world's major gold hubs, and higher bullion prices impact jewelry-buying habits. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: Gulf Iran-US row puts Gulf at risk Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar have intensified quiet diplomacy to discourage US military action, pairing it with stepped-up security coordination. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
UAE launches sovereign open-source AI model K2 Think: What to know The Gulf state is one of the few countries in the world developing its own sovereign open-source AI model to counter the dominance of the United States and China in the sector. United Arab Emirates
Analysis No strings attached: UAE, India deepen defense ties, balk at mutual guarantees India and the UAE signed a letter of intent on a strategic defense partnership, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s push to diversify security ties and New Delhi’s effort to expand cooperation without deeper regional entanglements. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance