Syria launches gas project with Saudi firm in latest Gulf energy partnership The project is the latest in a series of Gulf-backed investments aimed at rebuilding Syria's energy sector after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Syria
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Abu Dhabi breaks ground on Dar Al Funoon performing arts venue Also this week: Lebanese seafood, Palestinian portraiture and cross-disciplinary art By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Oil falls below $71 as US-Iran talks continue, Gulf exports rebound Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in an X post on Wednesday that Iran and the United States had made "positive progress." Iran
Newsletter: Gulf Oman's Hormuz moment As US and Iranian negotiators continue technical discussions in Doha on implementing last month’s memorandum of understanding, Oman is emerging as Tehran’s principal Gulf counterpart on the future governance of the Strait of Hormuz By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Newsletter: FutureVerse No ceasefire in cyberspace By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran, US to meet in Doha Tuesday By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Why the UAE wants Indian missiles and a deeper strategic partnership By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Gulf Cities Emerge As New Centers of Arab World While historic Arab capitals such as Cairo, Baghdad and Damascus are embroiled in civil strife, Gulf cities are powering ahead as new centers for Arab culture, education and business. United Arab Emirates
Yemen’s Brotherhood: Early Losses and an Unknown Future Following the Yemeni revolution, the local Muslim Brotherhood has worked to expand alliances, but often at the expense of their revolutionary partners, which could cost them vital public support. Saudi Arabia
Abu Dhabi’s Foreign Assistance Steals Spotlight While Abu Dhabi has developed a reputation for its generous foreign aid, little attention is paid its significant internal aid, which keeps the other emirates afloat. United Arab Emirates
UAE Professor Challenges Cybercrime Law on Twitter After a UAE professor published a provocative article online, observers wait to see how the government will implement its updated cybercrime law. United Arab Emirates
UAE Needs More Transparency On Human Rights A string of recent human rights abuses has placed the UAE under international scrutiny. United Arab Emirates
Video of UAE Official Beating Indian Driver Sparks Debate UAE anti-defamation laws are again under scrutiny as the Indian man who filmed the assault is put in jail. United Arab Emirates
US Should Not Cut Aid to Egypt’s Military US military aid can sustain American leverage and assist Egypt’s democratic transition. Saudi Arabia
UAE Trial Adds to Controversy Over Press Freedom, Political Islam Guilty verdicts in the trial of 94 people accused of plotting to overthrow the UAE government have raised new questions about both press freedom and the role of political Islam. United Arab Emirates
The Mideast in Venice Nine Middle Eastern countries are represented at the Venice Biennale, including a piece aptly called "Resistance" from a Turkish artist. United Arab Emirates
Emirati Sent to Jail Over 'False Tweets' UAE media law allows wide latitude for crackdown on critical reporting. United Arab Emirates
US Arms Sales All About Iran The novelty of the latest US arms sales to Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates was not their scale or content, but the sign of a US realignment of allies to deter Iran, explains Jean-Loup Samaan. Saudi Arabia
UAE Arrests Activist For 'False News' Tweets An Emirati activist arrested and charged with "spreading false news" on Twitter is yet another sign of dwindling free speech in the United Arab Emirates, writes Matt Duffy. United Arab Emirates