Newsletter: Gulf Gulf states step up China diplomacy as Trump’s lame-duck session nears Oman and Saudi Arabia are deepening diplomatic outreach to Beijing as the outcome of Tuesday’s US midterm elections introduces fresh uncertainty over Washington’s Iran policy. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Turkey’s parliament ratifies Mecca pact in boost to Saudi Arabia Turkey will now decide the scope of military support for Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Turkey
Culture What’s next for Cristiano Ronaldo after retirement from Portugal team? The Portuguese superstar is signed to the Saudi side Al Nassr until 2027, but the Yemen war is impacting the sport in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Dana Awartani revives lost mosaics Also this week: Lebanese dining, a new Arab art prize and ‘Girls of Riyadh.’ By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Business & Tech Democrats’ win: What’s at stake for Gulf business By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse US elections spotlight Gulf tech risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Discover the art of folklore at new Riyadh exhibit By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
China JV wins $1.13 billion contract to relocate Saudi university facilities The KSU deal marks the latest in a series of large contracts awarded by the Diriyah Company, which is overseeing the city project. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey rank in top 20 global military spenders: What to know Regional military spending saw a significant increase in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, amid conflicts in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, though it found that Europe drove the overall hike in global expenditures. Saudi Arabia
China’s Sinopec, Saudi Aramco to establish $4B energy venture: What to know The joint venture will engage in port operations, crude oil transportation and other activities at the refinery and petrochemical complex in the Gulei Port Economic Development Zone in Zhangzhou, in China's Fujian province. Saudi Arabia
Qatar, Saudi Arabia to pay off Syria’s $15M World Bank debt: What to know Both Gulf states have played a key role in the diplomatic outreach of Syria's new government. Syria
Analysis Can Modi leverage Saudi-China ties to reshape India’s global standing? The Saudi "pivot to the east" requires a careful balancing act to avoid antagonizing the United States and damaging ties with China. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis Macron’s Palestine gamble: Can recognition plan jump-start peace talks? French President Emmanuel Macron said he may recognize a Palestinian state in June when he will cohost a peace summit with Saudi Arabia, but has not committed to such a move. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Trump willing to meet Iran's Khamenei but 'will be leading' war pack if no deal In an interview with Time Magazine, President Donald Trump says he believes a deal with Iran can be reached via negotiations while expressing readiness for war in the event that it doesn't. United States
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar face uneven 2025 growth as trade tensions rise: IMF While Gulf economies face only the Trump administration’s baseline 10% tariffs, the levies have already impacted oil prices and revenue, especially for rentier states like Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Saudi Film Festival spotlights “Cinema of Identity” at Ithra By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood as king visits Saudi Arabia The decision follows an alleged plot against Jordan that authorities said was linked to the Islamist organization. Jordan
Trump set to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE May 13-16: White House Trump's first foreign trip in his second term is aimed at reassuring Gulf partners over the Iranian threat and attracting new investments. United States