Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Saudi Arabia awards $490m contract for museum in Diriyah Also this week: Smash burgers in Riyadh and Saudi maps in Venice By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis UAE’s OPEC exit rattles cartel as Gulf alliances shift OPEC's fourth-largest producer will leave the cartel on May 1, marking the most significant departure in the group’s history as the war changes Abu Dhabi's relationship priorities. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Why UAE's decision to leave OPEC is major shift for cartel The UAE accounts for 12% of OPEC's output, but tensions had been simmering over intragroup rivalries and the country wanting to export more oil. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan The proposed framework faces major hurdles and fault lines, ranging from NATO constraints to Israeli opposition and weak military integration. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Ithra brings MENA design to Milan By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Republicans quash Democrats’ bid to force the US out of Yemen war House Republicans have temporarily stopped a vote instructing President Donald Trump to end “hostilities” against the Houthi rebels. Saudi Arabia
'Atrocious' recording of Khashoggi’s killing shocks listeners Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he's gotten shocked reactions to an audio tape of the Saudi journalist’s final moments as he presses world leaders to hold the kingdom accountable for its alleged role in the killing. Saudi Arabia
Is this the start of Arab NATO plan? The Arab Nato plan promoted by US President Donald Trump to counter Iranian influence is being recurrently heard among the political quarters of the countries participating in the Arab Shield 1 drills in Egypt. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi royals rally support at home as pressure mounts Following intense pressure from Turkey and the United States over the war in Yemen and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi king and crown prince are looking to rally support among their domestic base. Saudi Arabia
Turkey turns up heat on Saudis, shares recording of Khashoggi murder The Turkish president discussed the Saudi journalist’s case with world leaders in Paris while Jamal Khashoggi’s friends gathered in Istanbul to honor his memory and demand justice. Saudi Arabia
Israel’s unhealthy mix of sports and politics Israeli politicians love to be seen alongside successful athletes and frequently use athletic success for patriotic-nationalist purposes. Saudi Arabia
UN pushes back Yemen peace talks With UN talks on Yemen delayed amid escalating fighting, veteran diplomats say Pompeo should work with the UK to revive the Friends of Yemen and give UN efforts to end the conflict more sustained, high-level attention. Saudi Arabia
What's behind Europe’s outreach to Erdogan? Europe’s acceptance of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as an interlocutor is driven by Turkey’s continuing strategic importance rather than any reflection on its president. Saudi Arabia
Midterms revamp Middle East policymaking in Congress Tuesday’s elections will re-order the committees in charge of foreign policy. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan slams US-Kurdish patrols near Syria border In a speech to parliament, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan chastised the United States for supporting Kurdish militias in Syria and reimposing “imperialist” sanctions on Iran. Saudi Arabia