United Arab Emirates - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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United Arab Emirates

July 5, 2026

Abu Dhabi 7:56 am

32°C

An aerial view shows port of the western Syrian port city of Latakia, on Dec. 18, 2024.

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.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

A man walks past the flags of the countries attending the Gulf Cooperation Council summit at Bayan palace in Kuwait City on Dec. 5, 2017.

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.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Oil drilling near Dakhiliyah in the desert region of Hasakah, Syria, Jan. 25, 2026.

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.

Latest News

Oil falls below $71 as US-Iran talks continue, Gulf exports rebound

Crude oil tankers, bulk carriers and vessels sit anchored around Qaboos Port on June 22, 2026, in Muscat, Oman.

Trump earns $810M from UAE-backed crypto firm: What to know

People walk past a cryptocurrency exchange office with a screen featuring US President Donald Trump holding cryptocurrency coins in Hong Kong on March 12, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Mohammed Soliman

In Washington, DC, reporting on Gulf politics

Crypto hacking event returns to Dubai

The UAE is emerging as a regional hub for cryptocurrency activities.

United Arab Emirates

Kashmir

Explainer: UAE business delegation visits Kashmir, meets Indian PM

The UAE and India have a strong economic relationship. The Kashmir visit could affect UAE-Pakistan ties.

United Arab Emirates

Swvl transportation.

Dubai-based transportation startup Swvl acquires Turkey’s Volt Lines

Swvl has recently bought other firms in Europe and Latin America and has received funds to help advance the transportation safety of women in Egypt.

United Arab Emirates

Marco Bello/Getty Images

UAE crypto push continues as Kraken invades Abu Dhabi

Two other cryptocurrency exchanges have also announced moves to Dubai recently.

United Arab Emirates

Korea UAE

Abu Dhabi, South Korea pledge to boost economic relations

South Korean entities have signed major deals with Egypt and Saudi Arabia recently.

United Arab Emirates

LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images

UAE-India economic agreement to lower tariffs, duties in bid to boost trade

India is one of the UAE’s largest trading partners, with oil, jewelry and textiles forming a bulk of the trade.

United Arab Emirates

Morocco solar

Emirati firm to build solar power plants in Morocco

Morocco is heavily dependent on imports for its energy needs, and is working to increase its use of renewable sources.

A man watches stock movements on a display at the Dubai Financial Market stock exchange in the Gulf emirate on April 12, 2022.

UAE reports slight growth of non-oil GDP

The United Arab Emirates is undergoing economic changes as it aims to reduce its dependency on oil.

United Arab Emirates

UAE finance

UAE tax authority announces whistleblower program

A major financial center in Dubai also recently launched a whistleblower mechanism as the Emirates seeks to improve financial transparency.

United Arab Emirates

Workers stand outside the Dubai International Financial Center in the Gulf emirate on Nov. 29, 2009.

Dubai regulator announces increased protection for whistleblowers

The UAE is working to increase its financial transparency after being linked to sanctions evasion and the flow of dark money.

United Arab Emirates

Parents wearing protective masks and their children arrive at a school entrance.

Culture

Abu Dhabi private schools returning to in-person classes

Remote education has led to difficulties for students throughout the world, including in Middle Eastern countries.

United Arab Emirates

A bus is pictured carrying workers back from a construction site on Sept. 14, 2016, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Dubai partnering with Singapore to improve public transportation

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are also working to make their public transit systems more environmentally friendly, though oil is still a major part of the Emirati economy.

United Arab Emirates