Analysis UK chases elusive GCC trade deal that could boost exports, economic links A new charm offensive at Saudi Arabia's flagship investment conference has fueled optimism that a UK-GCC trade pact, under negotiation since 2022, could soon be completed. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How Gulf states are powering Turkey’s Eurofighter ambitions After years of political deadlock over the sale of Eurofighters to Turkey, Ankara appears to be nearing success with pending deals for new and secondhand versions of the aircraft. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Analysis Turkey strengthens defense, energy ties following Erdogan’s Gulf tour The Turkish president’s Gulf tour saw the signing of over a dozen agreements to strengthen military ties, diversify energy sources and expand economic partnerships amid regional instability. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Turkey, Qatar sign defense deal as Ankara eyes Doha’s Eurofighters The Turkish president’s visit to Qatar during his Gulf tour largely centered on defense ties and Qatar’s little-used Eurofighters, as Ankara moves to quickly rebuild its air power. Turkey
Analysis As Carrefour retreats in Mideast, can new Gulf superstore brand advance? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Gulf rail boom rumbles on as 2030 deadline for regional network nears By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Hezbollah responds to GCC decision In a speech following the GCC’s decision to label Hezbollah a terrorist organization, the movement’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, intensified his criticism of Saudi Arabia, indicating a readiness to go all the way in the confrontation. Saudi Arabia
What fading oil fortunes means for Turkey's businesses Turkish businesspeople are losing sleep over oil-producing states' deferrals of payments to international contractors and the possible loss of mega projects. Legacy: Gulf
How Oman is helping Obama shut down Guantanamo Bay As the primary destination for transferred Guantanamo Bay prisoners, Oman solidifies its role as a diplomatic back channel for the United States. Legacy: Gulf
Iran-India energy cooperation opens new horizons While the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline may sound the death knell to the Iran-Pakistan-India project, the Middle East to India Deepwater Pipeline may deliver Iranian gas to India through an undersea pipeline. Oman
Oman, stuck between Saudi Arabia and Iran With a long history as a regional mediator and close ties with both Riyadh and Tehran, will Oman be able to cool the recent Saudi-Iranian tensions following the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr? Saudi Arabia
Can Oman help Saudis save face in Yemen? Oman, the only GCC country that did not join the Saudi coalition fighting in Yemen, could help the Saudis negotiate peace there. Saudi Arabia
Salehi reveals new details of secret US, Iran back channel In an extensive interview, Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's atomic chief and former foreign minister, reveals new details of the secret back channel to the United States. Oman
Iran's military bulks up with new Russian tanks Tehran plans to purchase T-90 tanks from Russia, but is it enough to strengthen the Iranian military? Saudi Arabia
Oman looks East As Oman practices diplomacy in the Middle East, it also is strengthening ties with China as a potential long-term partner. Oman
What Obama should say to King Salman during his visit The inaugural visit of Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud to Washington offers US President Barack Obama a unique opportunity to address the long-standing tensions and rivalry between Iran, Iraq and the GCC states. Legacy: Gulf
Oman’s diplomatic bridge to Syria By inviting Syria’s foreign minister to Muscat, Oman has signaled its interest in contributing to the resolution of Syria’s civil war. Oman
Zarif presses diplomacy on Syria Iran brokers humanitarian cease-fires in Syria; Yair Lapid discusses “dreadful gamble” in US-Israel relations; Turkey’s Stone Age temple may predate Stonehenge and Egyptian pyramids by thousands of years. Oman