Could UAE tap US currency swap line as Iran war strains Gulf economies? The Gulf country apparently wanted reassurances from Washington in case its economy is severely damaged by the Iran war. United Arab Emirates
Why are Wall Street banks posting record profits amid Iran war? The US-Israel-Iran war has roiled the global economy since Feb. 28, but the resulting market volatility has boosted trading profits for some. Iran
Analysis Ceasefire without relief: How Iranians are grappling with post-war repression Despite the ceasefire, pressure is mounting inside Iran: arrests are rising, the internet remains largely shut down, and millions face deep economic uncertainty. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Iran names US tech, finance firms in new Middle East threat list Firms listed as potential targets included Oracle, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, IBM, Palantir and Nvidia, while banking giant JPMorgan and UAE-based AI firm G42 were also listed. Iran
Analysis Iran war tests Gulf dealmaking as foreign investors assess risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How long can markets hold their bet on Gulf resilience as war drags on? By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Group of 32 states to release 400M barrels of oil reserves: What to know By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Egypt plans to sell stakes in 32 state-owned companies within year The announcement comes as the government is moving to reduce the state’s footprint in the economy, and includes two military-owned enterprises and three banks. Egypt
Egypt’s non-oil sector suffering under high inflation: Report Egypt is experiencing rising inflation and the depreciation of its currency, but the country’s stock exchange is doing well and the IMF recently agreed to a massive aid package. Egypt
Egypt keeps interest rates unchanged to start 2023 Inflation in Egypt was on the rise at the end of 2022, with food prices being of particular concern. Egypt
Qatar stays put after US, Saudi Arabia, UAE raise interest rates The Gulf central banks’ moves followed the US Federal Reserve raising its rates. Inflation increased in both Qatar and Saudi Arabia at the end of 2022. Legacy: Gulf
Explainer: What is behind Lebanon's new exchange rate? There are multiple exchange rates between the Lebanese pound and the US dollar, and the official rate being below the black market rate helps financial institutions pass on their losses to the public. Lebanon
Explainer: What is behind Iraq's Central Bank shuffle and what is next? The economic crisis in Iraq as a result of the ongoing rise in the value of the US dollar against the dinar resulted in the prime minister sacking the heads of the Central Bank of Iraq and the Trade Bank of Iraq. Iraq
Kuwait's government resigns in latest parliament standoff This is the fifth Kuwaiti government that has resigned in the past two years, highlighting growing tension between the country’s authorities. Legacy: Gulf
Oman continues economic reforms by listing drilling company on stock exchange Oman’s fiscal performance has improved in the last year, and the country wants to produce more alternative forms of energy, such as hydrogen. Legacy: Gulf
Explainer: Turkey’s Halkbank appeals to US Supreme Court in Iran sanctions case The case comes at a tense time in US-Turkey relations as the Biden administration weighs whether to sell F-16 jets to Turkey. Turkey
Iraq's PM Sudani hosted US envoy ahead of meeting Iran's Quds commander Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received high-ranking US and Iranian envoys separately for discussions of bilateral issues related to both countries. Iran
European investigative team in Lebanon starts probe into Riad Salameh French Judge Aude Buresi is leading the European delegation, and was scheduled to interview at least 15 bankers and business figures in the country tied to Salameh. Lebanon
Analysis Can Islamic cryptocurrencies save the industry? Cryptocurrencies lost over a trillion dollars in value in 2022, yet Islamic coins are emerging with ethical practices claiming to potentially resist such losses. By Salim A. Essaid
