Qatar - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Qatar cover image

Qatar

April 19, 2026

Doha 11:46 am

32°C

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi stocks hit 2026 high, bucking global war-driven volatility

The kingdom's stock market climbed to its highest level of the year on Wednesday, with the kingdom’s equities now far outperforming the S&P 500 and other global and regional indices.

A man walks through the atrium during the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

IMF slashes Mideast outlook by nearly 3 points as Iran war hits economies

The International Monetary Fund cut gross domestic product forecasts for the Middle East and North Africa, with the fallout from the conflict exposing stark divergences between the region’s energy exporters and importers.

Latest News

Analysis

How fast can Gulf energy production rebound after US-Iran ceasefire?

picture of Qatar Energy's operating facilities on March 3, 2026, in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

EIA hikes 2026 oil price forecasts 22% as Hormuz fuels long-term market fallout

Gas prices over $6.00 are displayed at a Shell station across from the Marathon Petroleum Corp's Los Angeles Refinery on April 02, 2026, in Carson, California.

AirAsia stays course on Bahrain hub as Iran war clouds aviation growth plans

AirAsia aircraft with two engines landing on Kota Kinabalu International airport runway, Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Malaysia, March 4, 2017.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

Reve Chaaban

In Doha reporting on culture

From Kuwait to Turkey, why are countries cracking down on Roblox?

The fast-growing gaming platform has been banned in countries including China, Iran, Oman, Qatar, and Turkey.

Botswana Qatar

Qatari royal expands Africa push with $12B in Botswana after $39B in DRC, Zambia

A Qatari delegation began a tour of 10 African countries on Aug. 13 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to explore investment opportunities.

Tents housing displaced Palestinians line a street in Gaza City, Aug. 18, 2025.

Analysis

In accepting Gaza truce proposal, is Hamas setting 'trap' for boxed-in Netanyahu?

Is Hamas really hoping that Israel rejects a deal and goes ahead with the Gaza City offensive, resulting in its further international isolation?

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Israeli army soldiers look at the destruction in Gaza from the border with the Palestinian territory, Aug. 13, 2025.

Exclusive

Contrary to Netanyahu's claims, Israel spy chief pushes partial Gaza deal in Qatar

As the Israeli prime minister defends his plan to take full control of Gaza, Mossad chief David Barnea pushes for a partial ceasefire deal.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia to invest $6B in Syria in boost to Sharaa: What to know

The kingdom has been at the forefront of diplomatic and economic efforts to support Syria's recovery.

Bibi

Netanyahu ends US visit with no Gaza deal but progress on reconstruction

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has departed Washington with little to show for his meetings with President Donald Trump.