Culture Iran war hits Saudi gaming drive as Esports Nations Cup pushed to 2027 The postponement is a blow for the kingdom, which has made growing its esports sector one of the main priorities under its Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia
Interview Why Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF The fund's Middle East director, Jihad Azour, told Al-Monitor that the big Gulf energy producers now have more capacity to absorb the shock. Jihad Azour Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund
Interview Saudi labor localization will take ‘generation or two': Armada CEO Around 70% of Saudi Arabia's population is 35 years old or younger, according to the kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics, providing ample opportunity for an educated and technology-savvy national workforce in the coming decades. Olivier Badard CEO of Armada Holding
Syria reports sabotage of undersea internet cable between Tartous and Alexandria: What to know The affected cable connects Syria to Egypt and is one of four cables that link to the coastal city of Tartous. Syria
US pressures Israel on trade with China Washington is calling on Israel to change the way it monitors foreign investments in Israel, and Israel is likely to take appeasing measures. Israel
Iran’s president calls for tighter internet control Iran’s president called for tighter control of the internet while “digitizing” the economy. Iran
The Takeaway: Khamenei warns neighboring Azerbaijan over Israel ties Egypt’s Nile encroachers; Morocco and Ethiopia; Turkey and Syria; Israel’s looming budget showdown; Lebanon’s zoo animals; Egyptian mummy faces revealed; Gilles Kepel talks with Alaa Alaswany — all in about 1,400 words! Iran
UAE announces mission to explore asteroids The Emirates is the first Arab state to have a Mars mission and already has a probe circling the planet. News Brief
'Futuristic' Dubai Expo to open one year late Delayed by the pandemic, Dubai is ready to take its turn on the world stage with its $6.8 billion showcase expo. Legacy: Gulf
Ex-US intelligence operatives admit to hacking for UAE The Justice Department said Tuesday three former intelligence and military operatives had admitted to helping the UAE government surveil targets worldwide, including US citizens. United Arab Emirates
International observers prepare for Iraq's elections Hundreds of international observers are gearing up for the legislative elections in Iraq on Oct. 10 in an attempt to help Iraqis conduct transparent and fair elections. Iraq
UN panel calls for cybersurveillance sale freeze amid Pegasus scandal The independent panel said it was concerned by reports that highly sophisticated surveillance tools are being used to monitor journalists, activists and political opponents. Israel
Bedouins excluded from Israel’s high-tech industry Israelis who are employed by high-tech companies live a comfortable life, which Bedouin youths can only dream of. Israel
Pegasus intel project brings Israel more trouble With the NSO affair continuing to develop, Israel — the world champion of cyber technologies — might get into significant diplomatic trouble precisely because of that. Israel
Israel 'looks into' NSO cyber-espionage affair Reports in Israel say the government has set up an interministerial team to 'look into' the export of Israeli-made Pegasus software and allegation over its abuse against politicians and journalists worldwide. Israel
UAE likely partner in Israel's moon mission The funding sources for Israel's ambitious Beresheet 2 have not been divulged, but there are hints that the United Arab Emirates may well be teaming up with Israel on a moon landing. Israel
