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
In navigating return of Taliban, will Saudi reopen embassy in Afghanistan? If the reported push to reopen materializes, it could help provide some legitimacy to the Taliban government. Saudi Arabia
What’s behind Saudi Public Investment Fund’s $17.2B profit? The sovereign wealth fund’s turnaround following the loss in 2022 is due in large part to the stock market rebounding. Saudi Arabia
Saudi defense chief in Turkey, meets Erdogan as drone sales grow Turkey and Saudi Arabia signed a major drone deal last year in one of several recent demonstrations of strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries. Saudi Arabia
Is Saudi Arabia’s $100B foreign investment drive starting to yield results? Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Trump Tower deal announced in Jeddah as Saudi business ties grow The Trump Organization recently unveiled a development in Oman, while Trump’s golf course is again hosting the Saudi-backed LIV Golf this year. Saudi Arabia
Kuwait doubles down on Saudi ties driven by economics, counter-Islamism Kuwait's newly appointed crown prince, Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah, is expected to advance the already good ties between his country and Saudi Arabia, as the two seek to further their economic prosperity. Kuwait
Iran claims Saudi Arabia won't let Iranian pilgrims vote Iranian worshippers resumed Umrah pilgrimages to holy sites in Saudi Arabia in April after the two countries resumed relations last year. Iran
Saudi defense chief in China in bid for help with Houthis, boost military ties China was a major participant in the World Defense Show in Riyadh earlier this year, and Saudi Arabia signed $4 billion in arms deals with the People’s Republic in 2022. Saudi Arabia
Heat, old age, heart conditions blamed for over 1,000 deaths at Hajj Many of those who died were unregistered users who suffered from the intense heat in Saudi Arabia, according to regional authorities. Saudi Arabia
14 Jordanian, 5 Iranian pilgrims die at Saudi Hajj from extreme heat Last month was the hottest May on record, according to scientists, and rising temperatures are particularly concerning for the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Why Uzbekistan is increasingly looking to Turkey, Saudi Arabia for investment Tashkent is trying to diversify energy sources and bring in fresh foreign investment, turning to both Turkey and Saudi Arabia to accomplish this. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran