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Economy & Business

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Here's what to know about Iraq's corruption as Zaidi launches crackdown

Watchdogs and financial institutions regard Iraq as a significantly corrupt country as the new prime minister works to recover public funds.

AFP via Getty Images

Traffic plummets through Strait of Hormuz after Iran, US trade fire

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had recovered somewhat before renewed fighting between Iran and the United States saw traffic drop sharply over the weekend.

A student attends a training seminar at the Tourism Ministry Training center in the city of Riyadh on August 30, 2022.

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

A tourist boat passes near crude oil tankers, bulk carriers, and other vessels anchored off Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, Oman, June 19, 2026.

Analysis

Why the Hormuz oil shock never became an energy catastrophe

The US-Israel-Iran war produced a historic oil supply shock but not a severe global economic crisis, due to ample prewar supplies, China's energy pivot and strategic reserve releases.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Explainer

Gulf states push incentives for investors, expats after war dents image

FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Explainer

After UAE and Qatar, could Iraq be next to leave OPEC?

A worker at a market for fuel oil and automotive fuel on March 17, 2026, in Erbil, Iraq.

Explainer

Syria’s energy push could soon get a major boost from Chevron: What to know

Amjad Kurdo / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

The safety car drives in front of Red Bull Racing's Mexican driver Sergio Perez (L) during the Saudi Arabia Formula One Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah on March 19, 2023. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia inks 14 deals at Jeddah Grand Prix in boost to sports industry

The agreements were part of a comprehensive sponsorship program hosted by Invest Saudi, the kingdom’s investment promotion entity. The value of the deals was not disclosed.

Egypt market

As Ramadan arrives, inflation chokes Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia

In North African nations, higher food costs will make it harder to access supplies for the festive month.

A picture shows the headquarters of the Public Warehousing Co. (PWC), also known Agility, in Kuwait City on December 29, 2009. The leading Kuwaiti firm indicted for fraud in connection with multi-billion dollar contracts with the American army said on December 28 that it is in talks with US authorities for an out-of-court settlement. AFP PHOTO/YASSER AL-ZAYYAT (Photo credit should read YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Kuwait’s Agility awarded $1.65 billion in dispute with Iraq's Korek

The Kuwaiti logistics firm accused Korek, which is owned by Kurdish military commander Sirwan Barzani, of using corruption to expropriate its stake.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Gulf asks India to increase flights as GCC, Indian officials meet in Saudi

Emirates, Jazeera and Turkish Airlines want India to allow more flights, but Indian authorities told Reuters they have no plans to do so.

People pass in front of the shuttered door of a pharmacy during a nationwide strike of pharmacies to protest against a severe shortage of medicine, Tripoli, Lebanon, July 9, 2021.

Pharmacies in Lebanon shut, as bankrupt government plans airport expansion

Gas stations are also threatening to close as long as authorities continue to ignore the economic collapse, while protests resumed on Tuesday.

An undated image of an Infinity Power COP27 solar plant.

UAE-Egypt firm Infinity Power strikes Africa's 'biggest renewable energy deal'

Infinity Power says it plans to install and operate 2 gigawatts (GW) of greenfield projects by 2025 with this deal, powering projects in South Africa, Egypt and Senegal.

A picture taken in the Saudi Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on July 14, 2022, ahead of a visit by the United States' president to the desert kingdom, shows hosts and journalists during a presentation on the Saudi Green Initiative, which also includes goals for tree-planting and reducing emissions. - (Photo by Amer HILABI / AFP) (Photo by AMER HILABI/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia tech talent unlikely to meet industry needs by 2030

Saudi Arabia aims to be a tech hub by 2030, but regional competition over talent and investment will complicate their efforts. (Pro subscribers only)

Tamara Juburi

A Kuwaiti woman walks past a warning sign at a beach in Kuwait City, following an oil spill off the coast, Kuwait, Aug. 21, 2017.

Oil spill hits Kuwait but production unaffected

Oil production was unaffected but some people were injured, according to the state-owned oil firm.

Oil prices fall, Saudi National Bank loses $1 billion over Credit Suisse

The drop in oil prices followed more troubling global financial news as UBS bought out Credit Suisse.

Vehicles drive in Amman on February 22, 2023. (Photo by Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP) (Photo by KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Jordan economic rating shows upswing, but problems remain

Jordanians in the private sector are praising their government's ambitious economic strategies, but still see systemic inefficiencies as a barrier to making them a reality.

By Salim A. Essaid

Qatar's Emir and Paris Saint-Germain owner Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (C) looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester United at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on March 6, 2019. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Qatar's Manchester United takeover could monetize new Mideast fan base

A Qatari takeover of the English soccer club would “turbocharge” the global presence of the English Premier League, analysts told Al-Monitor

Iraq video games

With few job openings, Iraqi youth find work in creative ways

As Iraq’s economy struggles, Al-Monitor spoke to young Iraqis who are making money via video games, social media and other means.