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
Is Egypt-Saudi love affair on the rocks? While some in Saudi Arabia are furious after the grand imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar spoke at a Chechen conference that condemned Riyadh, others argue that ties between the two are stronger than ever. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia launches Persian-language hajj TV program for Iranians The Muslim festival to mark Eid al-Adha has done little to reduce tensions between regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Are Saudis open to rapprochement with Iran? Despite a war of words between Iran and Saudi Arabia and other tensions, some observers believe relations between Riyadh and Tehran could improve. Saudi Arabia
Anti-Wahhabism spreading in Muslim world The Shiism-Wahhabism conflict is expanding among other Islamic denominations, as several Sunni schools are taking actions against Wahhabism. Saudi Arabia
Will 9/11 lawsuit vote sabotage US arms sales to Riyadh? The Obama administration has offered to sell Saudi Arabia a record $115 billion in weapons. Does the Sept. 9 vote to allow the families of terrorist victims to sue the kingdom mean an end to business as usual? Saudi Arabia
How long can the Houthis hold on to Yemen? It seems the Houthi rebels are the only ones benefiting from the ongoing war in Yemen, as Saudi Arabia’s and Yemen’s economies have been badly affected. Legacy: Gulf
Khamenei calls for international investigation into hajj stampede One year after the hajj disaster that killed nearly 500 Iranians out of more than 2,000 people, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is calling for an international body to investigate. Saudi Arabia
Qatar or Iran: Who will save Hamas? The Hamas delegation will split forces after performing the hajj in Mecca, with Ismail Haniyeh heading to Qatar and Mahmoud al-Zahar visiting Iran. Saudi Arabia
Upcoming hajj pilgrimage again inflames Saudi-Iran tensions Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued his strongest condemnation of Saudi Arabia yet in response to the stampede during last year’s hajj pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia
Shiite alliance against Saudis grows tighter As the sectarian conflict intensifies, Shiite forces expand their cooperation against Saudi Arabia while Iraq plays a key role in this regard. Saudi Arabia
Why did Iraq ask Riyadh to change its ambassador? Baghdad has asked Riyadh to replace its ambassador over his interference in Iraq's internal affairs, stirring a new crisis between the two countries. Saudi Arabia
Prince Salman gets jump on G-20 as Saudi 'Mr. Everything' tours Asia Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to be the youngest representative at the upcoming G-20 summit, his most significant step on the global stage to date, but can the spotlight on "Mr. Everything" distract from Yemen? Saudi Arabia