Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan The proposed framework faces major hurdles and fault lines, ranging from NATO constraints to Israeli opposition and weak military integration. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
In Lebanon, Saudi Arabia pursues quiet diplomacy as Trump pushes Israel normalization Saudi Arabia has been engaged in intense diplomacy in Lebanon in recent days, leading up to the extension of a ceasefire with Israel. Lebanon
Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Ithra brings MENA design to Milan Also this week: Lana Khayat at Art Dubai and Najdi dining in Diriyah By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse NEOM’s new logistics look By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Brent crude falls nearly 10%, OPEC basket drops slightly Saudi Arabia has acted to keep prices high recently against the wishes of the US. Saudi Arabia
Another Captagon bust in Saudi Arabia as drug war continues The discovery of more than 3 million pills of the drug in Dammam on the Persian Gulf is at least the fourth bust in Saudi Arabia this year. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia sends $50 million to Jordan for budget as economy falters The Jordanian government is working to close tax loopholes and increase its revenue collection amid its economic struggle. Jordan
Robots to help Muslim pilgrims at holy sites in Saudi Arabia The robots will explain prayer rituals in Mecca and Medina in multiple languages, according to Saudi religious authorities. Saudi Arabia
Shareholder Saudi prince rejects Elon Musk’s bid to buy Twitter Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the largest shareholders of the social media giant, believes Twitter is worth more than Musk is offering. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia finds amphetamines hidden in elevator parts Citizens of Syria, Egypt and two locals were arrested in relation to the incident, according to state media. Saudi Arabia
As dialogue falters, Khamenei says 'no possibility' of Saudi victory in Yemen The comments on Twitter by the supreme leader follow the suspension of talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Iran
Saudi Aramco pursues diversification with artificial intelligence center The Saudi energy giant is flush with cash from oil sales abroad. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia confiscates more Captagon pills at Jordan border Saudi authorities have promised to crackdown on drug smuggling, which they have blamed on Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia announces $600 million in new investment from startups, venture capitalist Foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia slowed later in 2021 after a promising start, and some entities are reluctant to invest there due to the human rights situation. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia resumes visa on arrival for US, EU visa holders The kingdom greatly relaxed its visa rules before the pandemic in an effort to boost tourism. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabian export stats show mixed results in non-oil commerce Saudi Arabia is working to diversify its economy, but figures from January show it remains dependent on foreign oil sales. Saudi Arabia