Analysis Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route? On June 26, Emirati and Syrian officials discussed plans for a logistics corridor connecting Syrian ports to Gulf markets via Iraq. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis How Iran war shaped divergent paths to security among GCC states The Iran war left the Gulf more fragmented than united, with competing security strategies replacing any prospect of a common regional defense. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
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
Newsletter: Gulf Oman's Hormuz moment 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
China, UAE overtake US companies at Turkey’s IDEF 23 weapons fair During the 15th edition of the IDEF in 2021, the global fair saw more than a thousand companies from 53 countries attend and had more than 94 signing ceremonies take place. Turkey
Bahraini cryptocurrency firm Rain to operate in UAE Cryptocurrency is growing in both the UAE and Bahrain amid regulatory challenges and market downturn. Legacy: Gulf
Who is Sultan Al Mansouri, Qatar’s first UAE ambassador in 6 years? A career diplomat who previously served as Qatar’s ambassador to Austria in 2019 and as the ambassador to China in 2014, Mansouri brings a negotiating and economic skillset to the position. Qatar
EU commission sees Tunisia's migration deal as 'blueprint' for region On July 16, the bloc agreed to spend 100 million euros on Tunisia to combat human trafficking and illegal crossings of the Mediterranean Sea. Tunisia
Popular Mexican food chain Chipotle coming to UAE, Kuwait The fast-food giant that specializes in Mexican food is one of the biggest in the United States. Legacy: Gulf
UAE passport ranks among world's 'most powerful,' Iraq, Syria at bottom of list The 2023 Henley Passport Index features the world’s most powerful passports based on the number of destinations passport holders can access visa-free. United Arab Emirates
Turkey, UAE ink $50 billion in trade deals during Erdogan visit The $50 billion worth trade deals come as the Turkish government is struggling to draw foreign funds to ease its currency crisis. United Arab Emirates
Analysis On Gulf tour, Japan's PM secures energy ties as China’s influence grows Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s three-day trip that began Sunday to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar — its key energy suppliers — is seen as a crucial move to secure Japan’s energy future. By Salim A. Essaid
Work on Israel-Saudi land bridge has begun, Israeli Foreign Ministry confirms The project will facilitate the transfer of goods in trucks intially between the UAE, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Israel
Japan’s PM visits UAE after Saudi Arabia, talks green energy, supply sources Japan is trying to move away from fossil fuels toward greener energy, which it plans to promote in the region during Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the Gulf this week. Saudi Arabia
UAE suspends Emirates Gold over money laundering allegations The London Bullion Market Association, which regulates the United Kingdom capital’s metals market, suspended Emirates Gold DMCC’s affiliate membership after conducting a review. United Arab Emirates
UAE, after Kuwait, releases Iranian prisoners The moves come as Iran works to restore its ties with Gulf countries following years of estrangement and tension. United Arab Emirates