Saudi Arabia advances gas ambitions as $100B Jafurah plant comes online The Finance Ministry reported that initial output at the massive Jafurah gas field has begun, with a capacity of 450 million cubic feet per day. Saudi Arabia
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
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
What’s behind flurry of Saudi helicopter deals with Airbus, Leonardo? The Saudi sovereign fund’s helicopter firm inked several agreements during a helicopter expo in this week, choosing to partner with Airbus amid concerns about Boeing. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi PIF-owned company, tourism fund partner on new downtown for Riyadh Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is working with the kingdom’s Tourism Development Fund to create "the world’s largest downtown" in the capital. Saudi Arabia
Culture Why did Saudi soccer league suspend Cristiano Ronaldo? Ronaldo’s time in Riyadh has been successful, but the Saudi Pro League is facing some challenges after luring many star players to the kingdom in 2023. Legacy: Gulf
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy in Saudi Arabia to talk prisoners, Russia war Saudi Arabia has taken an increasingly active role in mediating the Ukraine-Russia war while maintaining friendly relations with both states. Legacy: Gulf
Qatar places major bet on gas as Saudi Aramco scores new find in Jafurah Asian liquefied natural gas prices have fallen to a nearly three-year low as warmer winter temperatures have dampened demand. Qatar
Analysis International law 'cannot be a la carte': UAE, Saudi and Egypt scold Israel at ICJ The presentations at The Hague could further the rift between Israel and the Arab world amid the Gaza war and efforts to expand normalization, though countries in the region are still interested in maintaining relations with Tel Aviv. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Saudi Arabia reports oil export slump after OPEC cuts The dip in exports for the fourth quarter of 2023 was due to Saudi Arabia’s decision to reduce crude output in accordance with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies — the kingdom has also implemented voluntary cuts. Saudi Arabia
Saudi tech giant expands investments into China, AI as part of $100B plans Alat plans to invest $100 billion by 2030 to coincide with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan to wean the kingdom’s economy off of its reliance on oil. Saudi Arabia
Saudi energy minister reveals why Aramco cut oil target by 1m bpd In January, the world's biggest corporate crude producer said it would halt its oil expansion plan and set a minimum sustained production capacity of 12 million bpd, 1 million bpd below its target announced in 2020 to be reached in 2027. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Aramco pivots investment plans as deals beckon in key Asian growth markets Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
US firm mulls stake in Starbucks Middle East franchise as local competition heats up Apollo Asset Management's reported interest comes after the coffee chain said boycotts related to the Gaza war had hurt its regional business. Saudi Arabia
London Metal Exchange to build delivery centers in Saudi Arabia Investors and mining companies are bracing for a wave of exploration licenses awarded in Saudi Arabia after the kingdom nearly doubled its untapped mineral estimate to $2.5 trillion and announced new incentives for miners in January. Saudi Arabia