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
UAE records new high in COVID-19 cases The United Arab Emirates is trying to simultaneously fight the resurgence of the coronavirus and boost its tourism industry. United Arab Emirates
Esper, meeting with Gantz, reaffirms commitment to Israel's regional military edge Israel Defense Minister Benny Gantz and US Defense Secretary Mark Esper expressed confidence the US would maintain Israel's qualitative military edge United Arab Emirates
Team Emirates rider wins Tour de France as cycling gains legs in Middle East The region is warming to investments in sports such as cycling as governments in the region seek to expand their sports diplomacy and soft power. Legacy: Gulf
Abu Dhabi scraps liquor license requirement for alcohol purchases People in the emirate now need only be of age and in a certified drinking area such as a bar to consume alcohol. United Arab Emirates
Israeli opposition wants to know: Is there more to UAE deal than meets the eye? Senior opposition figures suspect that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hiding some of the details of the deal signed with the UAE. United Arab Emirates
F-35 deal with UAE could benefit Israeli defense industries Israel’s leadership is against the United States selling the Emirates F-35 jets, but if the deal comes through, Israeli defense industries could also benefit. United Arab Emirates
Israel’s Gulf diplomacy and its discontents As Israel and its new regional partners begin trade talks, Palestinians, Israeli Arabs and the Israeli left are on the sidelines. United Arab Emirates
OPEC+ pressures Iraq, UAE to further cut oil production Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members held a virtual meeting with Russia and other allied oil producers today to discuss the continuing low price of oil amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Saudi Arabia
Travelers to Abu Dhabi tracked during mandatory quarantine The news from Etihad Airways comes as daily COVID-19 cases reach another peak in the United Arab Emirates, which has joined Jordan in using wristbands to track people entering the country. United Arab Emirates
With Angola flight, Emirates airline to reach 15 African destinations by October Since resuming some international flights in May, the Dubai-based carrier has resumed passenger services to more than 85 destinations worldwide. United Arab Emirates
Is Israel-Gulf business ready to take off? Agribusiness, retail, housing, and hospitality look like good bets for Israel-Gulf trade. United Arab Emirates
The Takeaway: Trump scores diplomatic win with eye on November election Iran deal coming after elections, Trump says; Qatar says normalization not the answer; Netanyahu returns home to COVID-19, political crises. Saudi Arabia