Yemen's STC separatists advance in Hadramout as UAE-Saudi rift grows The fighting between the UAE-backed southern separatists and Saudi-aligned tribal forces, nominal allies against the Houthis, has raised concerns about the division of Yemen. Yemen
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Winter at Tantora returns to AlUla Also this week: Desert dining in AlUla, Camel Festival turns 10 and art from Jeddah to Tashkent By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
US approves $1.4B in military sales to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain: What to know An estimated $1 billion in foreign military sales will go to Saudi Arabia, and $445 million will go to Bahrain. United States
Saudi Arabia signs first visa-free travel agreement with Russia: What to know The deal will allow citizens of either country to enter visa-free for 90 days for tourism, business and family visits. Saudi Arabia
Analysis US-Gulf critical minerals ties grow in bid to weaken China’s grip on industry By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis South Korea’s $15B jet offer expands UAE's options as US moves to sell Saudis F-35s By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Saudi Arabia unveils new Red Sea Museum By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: China-Middle East China getting ahead in the Gulf China’s Vice President Han Zheng is visiting Saudi Arabia and Kuwait this week before traveling to Qatar to attend the Second World Summit for Social Development Nov. 3-5. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Saudi art makes historic Paris Photo debut Also this week: Michelin dining in AlUla, Gulf art pioneers and Diriyah’s PaperBack fair. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Business & Tech Syria’s Sharaa touts rebuilding vision in Riyadh Syria’s president was one of the headliners at this week's Future Investment Initiative summit, underscoring his country's investment potential as he seeks to woo foreign capital to help with postwar reconstruction. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
In Saudi Arabia, Sharaa hails 'historic opportunity' for Syria investment Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa touted investment opportunities in his country as he addressed business leaders and officials at the 9th Future Investment Initiative Conference in Riyadh. Syria
Newsletter: Gulf Saudi FII becomes stage for global diplomacy Riyadh’s high-profile investment forum set the stage for global diplomacy this week, as Gulf states deepened ties from Tehran to Bogotá and expanded their reach across Africa and Asia. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Humain’s $3B deal sets tone as Riyadh’s FII summit spotlights AI, private credit At the 2025 edition of Saudi Arabia's flagship investment conference known as “Davos in the Desert," AI is stealing the spotlight from megaprojects. Saudi Arabia
Delta to launch first direct US-Saudi flight as business ties deepen Beginning in October 2026, Delta will fly from its Atlanta hub to the Saudi capital three times a week on an Airbus A350-900 — a route that will span more than 7,000 miles. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh BIENALSUR brings global art to Diriyah Also this week: Peruvian flavors, Islamic artistry and Saudi light art. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis Saudi Arabia diversifies with new China naval drills, but military remains Western-centric Expanding Saudi-Chinese defense cooperation mirrors the broader deepening of Saudi-Chinese diplomatic and economic relations. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Interview Gulf real estate investors choose UK over US amid political instability The London-based lender is seeing an increase in demand from Gulf investors in UK real estate as US markets have become less predictable. Khaled Alanani Head of real estate finance and investments, Bank of London and The Middle East
Newsletter: China-Middle East China's inroads in Saudi defense industry Saudi Arabia and China kicked off their third bilateral naval drill this week, a move that demonstrates Beijing’s growing role not only as an economic partner, but as a defense one as well for Riyadh. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Singapore's DBS Group, Banque Saudi Fransi ink Asia-Gulf trade deal Trade between Southeast Asia and the GCC reached about $130.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow by another $50 billion by 2027, according to the Singaporean lender. Saudi Arabia