Explainer Lebanon advances controversial $500K golden visa law: What to know While its supporters say the scheme would help Lebanon's economy recover, critics say it could offer a channel for corruption. Lebanon
Explainer Qatar blast underscores challenges in race to restart Gulf energy flows The deadly explosion marks an early test of Gulf efforts to revive oil and gas production following a historic energy supply shock caused by the US-Israel-Iran war. Qatar
Interview US-Egypt fund makes case for economic statecraft in hard power era As Washington focuses on war and deterrence, the Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund argues private-sector investment can advance US strategic interests. Cornelius Queen Senior Vice President of the Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund
Oil falls more than 3% after Iran, US signal progress in talks International benchmark Brent crude fell to $78.68 as of 7:06 a.m. EDT. Iran
Analysis US-Iran deal delivers $300 billion controversy, reconstruction questions By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Interview Franco-Gulf investment holds firm despite Iran war, French official says Axel Baroux France’s trade and investment commissioner for the UAE and Middle East
UAE's MBZ in India, meets Modi as Houthis' maritime threat expands The visit comes amid a spike in Houthi maritime attacks that are increasingly disrupting Gulf waters and encroaching on India's coast. Legacy: Gulf
UAE’s AD Ports to develop Egypt Red Sea cruise terminals despite instability Attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on international ships have prompted some firms to steer clear of the waterway. Legacy: Gulf
UK, Turkish trade ministers meet in Turkey, announce joint railway deal The two countries have an existing trade deal that covers goods but not services, digital trade or data. Turkey
Saudi PIF invested $31.6B in 2023, record in global sovereign wealth funds The PIF is estimated to have nearly $800 billion in assets and wants to become the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund by 2030. Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s exports to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Russia shoot up in 2023: Erdogan The Turkish president also said the country’s total export revenues reached an all-time high. Turkey
2023 in review: Iran sees opportunity in Gaza war, steps up crackdown at home Iran's theocratic establishment engaged in a flurry of foreign diplomacy to try to ease the international isolation it is facing, while at home it intensified its crackdown on dissent. Iran
What is behind Iran-Russia de-dollarization deal as sanctions bite? The long-awaited agreement was one among several solutions the two countries have sought to salvage their battered economies, which remain cut off from key international banking systems. Iran
Saudi mining firm Ma’aden announces gold discovery Saudi Arabia seeks to boost its mining sector, including via investment at home and abroad. Legacy: Gulf
Explainer: Major shipping giants resume Red Sea routes amid Houthi attacks The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have fired on international ships and Israel’s port in the Red Sea since the Gaza war began, wreaking havoc on the global shipping industry. Legacy: Gulf
How Starbucks fell from favor with pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian activists The coffee giant is no stranger to frothy accusations of being pro-Israel, and now a pro-Palestinian post on one of its union's social media accounts has sparked a boycott. Israel
Houthi missile hits Norwegian-flagged tanker in latest Red Sea attack Iran-backed rebels hit a Norwegian-owned chemical tanker with a cruise missile, but the ship had no clear connection to Israel, signaling the Houthis may be widening the aperture of their attacks. Legacy: Gulf
With 32% trade boost, Turkey eyes Saudi investments amid domestic downturn Trade between the two countries reached $5.86 billion in 2022, a 32.6% increase over the previous year. Turkey
