Analysis

Biden gives priority to Israel-Saudi normalization

All three parties want a deal, and 2024 is an election year; Syrian Kurdish leader expects little from Arab League normalization with Syria.

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

Germany, Italy hold talks with Saudi Arabia, Qatar to strengthen energy ties

Italy is looking for capital from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for a new fund Rome is setting up to help domestic companies in strategically important sectors.

Saudi Arabia

Ukraine’s Zelensky in Saudi Arabia for Arab League summit

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who's also attending, is expected to discuss the drug trade and Syrian refugees at his first summit since Syria was readmitted to the Arab League.

Saudi Arabia

Syria's Assad lands in Saudi Arabia seeking financial incentives at Arab summit

Robert Ford, the last US ambassador to Syria, said the Jeddah summit will likely end with “nice promises” in front of the cameras but a different outcome in reality as normalization with Assad, overriding sanctions and the return of refugees face mounting hurdles.

Saudi Arabia

Israeli-Saudi normalization efforts top Ronen Levy's agenda in Washington

An Israeli diplomatic source told Al-Monitor on Tuesday that "the key to an Israeli-Saudi agreement lies in Washington... it is on President Biden's desk and not buried deep in a side drawer.”

Israel

Saudi Arabia increases stake in EA gaming by 55%

The PIF held 16.01 million shares in Electronic Arts (EA) before Q4 2022, but after Q1 2023, it held 24.81 million shares.

Saudi Arabia

Analysis

For Israel, normalization with Saudi Arabia not impossible

Israel is cautiously optimistic about US efforts to push Saudi Arabia towards normalization.

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Dubai’s DP World signs deals with China seaport companies in latest push

Ningbo-Zhoushan port said it will boost its Dubai station project as part of China’s Road and Belt Initiative.

United Arab Emirates

In Saudi, US embraces a West Asia architecture with India, UAE

New relationships across the continent may promote both economic development and security.

Legacy: Gulf

Analysis

Saudi Aramco, high-value IPOs face impending pressure in 2023

The United Arab Emirates saw the world’s largest IPO of first quarter 2023, with ADNOC Gas PLC raising $2.5 billion on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.

By Salim A. Essaid

UAE's Emirates reports record $2.9 billion in profit after two years of losses

The Dubai-based airline’s numbers indicate it has finally recovered from the coronavirus pandemic.

United Arab Emirates

Saudi Arabia seizes 8 million Captagon pills as it courts Syria's Assad to clamp down

The kingdom and Jordan both want Syria to help stop the flourishing drug trade as they seek normalization with the Assad government.

Saudi Arabia