Interview Saudi labor localization will take ‘generation or two': Armada CEO Around 70% of Saudi Arabia's population is 35 years old or younger, according to the kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics, providing ample opportunity for an educated and technology-savvy national workforce in the coming decades. Olivier Badard CEO of Armada Holding
Explainer Gulf states push incentives for investors, expats after war dents image Several Gulf states are working to recover their images as global havens of stability in the wake of the Iran war. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: Business & Tech Oil falls to prewar levels as Hormuz reopens Oil prices retreat as Gulf shipping stabilizes, Qatar moves to restore LNG output, and regional governments roll out new investment and residency incentives. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Interview Franco-Gulf investment holds firm despite Iran war, French official says French investors are reallocating capital toward strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence and technology rather than pulling out of the region altogether. Axel Baroux France’s trade and investment commissioner for the UAE and Middle East
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf defense giants head to Europe By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Saudi contemporary art lands at Art Basel By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Will Rafsanjani’s death draw Iran, Egypt farther apart? As Egypt paid its condolences to the death of former Iranian President Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, many observers do not expect Rafsanjani's death to affect the rapprochement attempts between both countries. Legacy: Gulf
Democrats urged Obama to cease Yemen war role before Trump took over Twenty-five House Democrats wrote to Barack Obama earlier this month to ask him to stop supporting the Saudi-led coalition. Saudi Arabia
How Washington, Riyadh can work together to counter terrorism It would behoove Washington and Riyadh to take steps to reassure each other in the fight against terrorism. Saudi Arabia
Will Egypt join Iraq in the 'Axis of Resistance'? Iraq is playing the role of broker to include Egypt in the Axis of Resistance, led by Iran. Saudi Arabia
Court sinks Egyptian-Saudi island deal A court ruling supposedly has ended Egypt’s attempt to hand over two strategic Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, but the government hasn’t necessarily given up. Saudi Arabia
New Lebanese president makes Gulf priority With a visit to Saudi Arabia on Jan. 10, new Lebanese President Michel Aoun has signaled that warmer relations with the Gulf is at the top of his priority list. Legacy: Gulf
Will Rafsanjani’s death bring about change in Iran’s regional policy? Former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani once played a great role in improving Saudi-Iranian relations. But given the broader changes in Iran’s foreign policy approach, his death is unlikely to significantly impact the tense Tehran-Riyadh relationship. Legacy: Gulf
Syrians express 'deep anger' at Turkey for war Al-Monitor reports from Damascus and Aleppo, where Russian Chechen troops stand guard; Iraqi prime minister seeks improved ties with neighbors. Saudi Arabia
Is Rafsanjani’s death nail in coffin of Saudi-Iran dialogue? Will the death of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a man who repeatedly and personally helped bridge the divide over the Persian Gulf, make an Iranian-Saudi rapprochement unlikely anytime soon? Saudi Arabia
Abadi enlists neighbors to support unified Iraq Iraq is shoring up political and economic relations with neighboring states to prepare for rebuilding after the defeat of the Islamic State. Saudi Arabia
Why Saudi Arabia and Egypt are competing for influence in Africa Some observers fear Saudi and Egyptian differences could spread Middle Eastern conflicts to Africa. Saudi Arabia
Why did Oman join Saudi Arabia’s anti-terrorism alliance? Oman joins the 40-member Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism, yet still strikes a balance while refusing to distance itself from Iran in order to please Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia