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
Why was this influential Iranian deputy minister replaced? Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs since 2011, has been replaced. Saudi Arabia
Salman's Saudi Arabia more ambitious than ever The new Saudi Arabian king's first year and a half has been a time of aggressive expansion of power and territory — at tremendous cost and risk. Saudi Arabia
Former Egypt FM says US election outcome won't dictate US-Arab ties In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy says that "the future of Arab-American affairs is 70% controlled by the Arab world and 30% in the hands of the United States," and hence does not depend on the next US president. Saudi Arabia
Boeing deal would reverse 1993 decision to sell to Saudis, not Iran A $17 billion deal by Boeing to sell Iran more than 100 civilian airplanes has major ramifications for US-Iran relations, say American and Iranian analysts. Saudi Arabia
Is it Eid or not? Muslims take step toward resolving calendar dispute Religious representatives from Islamic countries agree to embrace a common calendar to overcome a long-standing conflict on the start of Ramadan, but their past record inspires little optimism for a genuine compromise. Saudi Arabia
Is Sisi selling Egypt to Saudis? Egyptian lawyers and activists voice concerns over President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s decision broadening the rights of Saudi nationals to own real estate in Egypt. Saudi Arabia
Why was hajj for Iranian pilgrims canceled this year? After failing to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia, Iranians will be unable to attend the hajj pilgrimage this year. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's post-oil plan enters slippery slope Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, which foresees a post-oil economy for the kingdom, contains many contradictions. Saudi Arabia
Is Saudi Arabia bringing sexy back? The Saudi government's recent decision to open entertainment venues to promote internal tourism is drawing some solid applause, but critics say there are more pressing domestic issues to resolve. Saudi Arabia
Two-time presidential candidate says Egypt losing its role in region In an interview with Al-Monitor, Hamdeen Sabahi, a former presidential candidate and head of the Egyptian Popular Current, speaks about his decision to stage a sit-in and his views on the political situation in the country. Saudi Arabia
Has Iran-Saudi cyberwar already started? After an Iranian website was hacked, some Iranian websites are speculating as to whether or not an Iranian-Saudi cyberwar has begun. Saudi Arabia
Saudi takes rare turn on congressional hot seat Riyadh's support for extremist clerics is under scrutiny as Congress debates whether to allow terror victims to sue the kingdom. Saudi Arabia