Syria launches gas project with Saudi firm in latest Gulf energy partnership The project is the latest in a series of Gulf-backed investments aimed at rebuilding Syria's energy sector after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Syria
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Abu Dhabi breaks ground on Dar Al Funoon performing arts venue Also this week: Lebanese seafood, Palestinian portraiture and cross-disciplinary art By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Oil falls below $71 as US-Iran talks continue, Gulf exports rebound Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in an X post on Wednesday that Iran and the United States had made "positive progress." Iran
Newsletter: Gulf Oman's Hormuz moment As US and Iranian negotiators continue technical discussions in Doha on implementing last month’s memorandum of understanding, Oman is emerging as Tehran’s principal Gulf counterpart on the future governance of the Strait of Hormuz By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Newsletter: FutureVerse No ceasefire in cyberspace By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran, US to meet in Doha Tuesday By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Why the UAE wants Indian missiles and a deeper strategic partnership By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Convicted Binance founder Zhao denied permission to travel to UAE Dubai-based cryptocurrency businessman Changpeng Zhao, who pled guilty to violating US laws against money laundering, has been denied permission to return to the United Arab Emirates for a family emergency. Legacy: Gulf
What does Saudi's first-ever alcohol store say about new Gulf culture? Alcohol-free 'mocktails' are also becoming increasingly popular across the region. Saudi Arabia
EV charging infrastructure needed to accelerate carbon emission cuts, says DP World The UAE-headquartered company's CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem told Al-Monitor that the sector could place more emphasis on equipment providers to allow for cost-competitive electric equipment to drive forward decarbonization goals. United Arab Emirates
Davos 2024: Gold, precious minerals to drive UAE-Turkey trade in 2024, says minister Since 2021, diplomatic ties between the two countries have greatly improved after years of antagonism over differing attitudes toward the Muslim Brotherhood and governance in Egypt. United Arab Emirates
On Azerbaijan visit, UAE's MBZ quietly expands influence into South Caucasus The two-day visit carries both geostrategic and economic implications regarding the energy partnership, which go far beyond the bilateral dimension, spanning from South Caucasus to Israel and Europe. United Arab Emirates
UAE's MBZ in India, meets Modi as Houthis' maritime threat expands The visit comes amid a spike in Houthi maritime attacks that are increasingly disrupting Gulf waters and encroaching on India's coast. Legacy: Gulf
UAE President MBZ in Azerbaijan eyeing energy, investment cooperation Emirati entities have inked several energy deals with Azerbaijan in the past year. Legacy: Gulf
UAE’s AD Ports to develop Egypt Red Sea cruise terminals despite instability Attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on international ships have prompted some firms to steer clear of the waterway. Legacy: Gulf
New $4 billion AI space entity unveiled in UAE Bayanat and Yahsat plan to merge into Space42 as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman all seek more opportunities in the space sector. Legacy: Gulf
China's Nio electric vehicle maker gets $2.2 billion from UAE investment firm Nio is seeking money from the Middle East due to its financial struggles. Legacy: Gulf
Middle East transparency on carbon emissions lags behind rest of world Turkey and the UAE led the pack for most transparent countries in the region regarding greenhouse gas emissions. United Arab Emirates
COP28: historic deal agreed for world to ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels The summit stretched into prolonged negotiations over the terminology of the final text, after the “phase out” of fossil fuels was omitted from the draft a day before the scheduled end of the event. United Arab Emirates