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Qatar

December 5, 2025

Doha 4:34 pm

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Mansour Abbas, head of Israel's conservative Islamic Raam party, speaks to the press before casting his ballot at a polling station in the northern Israeli village of Maghar on November 1, 2022. - Israelis began voting in their fifth election in less than four years, with veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu campaigning for a comeback alongside far-right allies. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Trump’s Muslim Brotherhood move reignites Israel’s battle over Raam

Israeli officials hailed the decision by President Donald Trump to start the designation process of Muslim Brotherhood chapters, though the move risks generating havoc within Israeli politics.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A model of IBM Quantum shows the three chandeliers that would be a part of the System Two installation, the System One comprises of one such chandelier, seen during the inauguration of Europe's first IBM Quantum Data Center, on Oct. 1, 2024, in Ehningen, Germany.

Saudi Arabia deploys region’s first industrial quantum computer: What to know

The announcement significantly boosts Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy away from oil by the end of the decade.

Latest News

Meet the Silicon Valley-linked AI startup targeting Gulf’s costly inefficiencies

Bilal Abu-Ghazaleh, founder of 1001 AI.

United Arab Emirates

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Kate Dourian

In Dubai, reporting on energy

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (L) walks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Feb. 18, 2025.

Analysis

Qatar to invest $10 billion in India as trade ties expand beyond energy

The announcement came as Qatar's emir wrapped up a two-day state visit to India.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Qatar International Food Festival

Culture

AL-Monitor Doha: Qatar International Food Festival brings 100 kiosks, 20+ chefs

The Qatar International Food Festival takes center stage this week in Doha, bringing flavors from all around the world to the city.

Competitors in action during the Dolphin Energy Doha Dash at Losail Circuit on Qatar National Sports Day, Feb. 10, 2015 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Culture

AL-Monitor Doha: Qatar National Sports Day

This week in Doha a series of exciting events awaits, from National Sports Day festivities to AgriteQ 2025’s sustainable agriculture showcase.

CNN launches new operation in Qatar amid regional rivalry: What we know

CNN's move will fuel Qatar’s growing role as a media hub in the region.

BASHAR TALEB/AFP via Getty Images

Interview

Qatar banks on Trump's help to sustain Gaza ceasefire

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari discusses the Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal, the Trump administration's role in implementing it and the future of Hamas' political office in Doha.

Majed al-Ansari

Majed al-Ansari

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson

(Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

AL-Monitor Doha: Katara International Arabian Horse Festival

This week in Doha the culture scene is buzzing with the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, the charm of Qatar’s first floating cafe and a rich lineup of artistic performances.

KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images

Culture

Al-Monitor Doha: Syrian Symphony arrives

Syrian voices bring Doha to life this week with pianist and composer Malek Jandali's Syrian Symphony and singer Assala Nasri’s soulful tunes.

Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi visited Abu Dhabi and met with Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed on Jan 8.

Analysis

By hosting Taliban FM, UAE seeks to expand influence in Afghanistan

Abu Dhabi plans to invest up to $400 million in Afghanistan and upgrade the Central Asian country's consulate in Dubai.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Qatar

Qatar pledges electricity, support for Syria as PM meets Sharaa in Damascus

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus to discuss bilateral relations, efforts to lift sanctions and Israel’s military actions in Syria.

An Israeli soldier looks at a memorial wall for Israeli people and soldiers who were killed since the Oct. 7 deadly Hamas attack.

Here are main Netanyahu and Hamas compromises in proposed Gaza deal

Details are beginning to surface about a potential deal between Israel and Hamas for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

Hadath

Syrian delegation visits Saudi Arabia in first post-Assad trip: What we know

Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani is on his first foreign visit to Riyadh less than a month since Bashar al-Assad's fall, received by senior Saudi officials including the foreign and defense ministers.

Delegates chat near a robot during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) forum at the King Abdulaziz Conference Centre in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, on Oct. 30, 2019.

Analysis

Was 2024 a breakthrough year for the Middle East’s AI ambitions?

Gulf states doubled down on AI in 2024, pouring billions into tech infrastructure and US partnerships.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech