Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Zayed National Museum opens in Abu Dhabi Also this week: Apollo lands in Palm Jumeirah, 421 turns 10, and Design Miami heads to Dubai By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
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
Turkey defense firms break record with $10B in revenues: SIPRI Turkey set a new record with five companies in the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's Top 100 for 2024, which included nine Middle Eastern countries for the first time amid conflict-driven arms demand. Turkey
Analysis US-Gulf critical minerals ties grow in bid to weaken China’s grip on industry Saudi Arabia and the UAE are emerging as indispensable partners to the United States in its efforts to “friend-shore” a strategic sector and supply chains dominated by China. 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 Dubai Abu Dhabi opens Middle East’s largest natural history museum By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis Gulf rail boom rumbles on as 2030 deadline for regional network nears From 100 million metro riders in Riyadh to a new Oman-UAE railway, Gulf states are pouring money into train transport — but plans for a regional rail network are still taking shape. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Amid Trump tariffs, UAE, Singapore to form trade group of small nations The new group, the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership (FIT-P), is expected to include around 10 countries, with the UAE, Singapore, and New Zealand being founding members. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai From Tunis to Dubai: Bechir Boussandel’s poignant glass works Emirati cuisine, contemporary art and global runways. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Somalia, UAE hold talks as tensions simmer over Puntland, Somaliland The visit occurred on the same day that Somalia's president met with Sudan’s intelligence chief. United Arab Emirates
Egypt secures $220M from domestic, Gulf, Chinese investors for solar project Foreign investment from three countries comes at a pivotal time in Egypt’s recovery from its worst financial crisis in over six decades. Egypt
Abu Dhabi’s Lunate buys stake in UK hedge fund, launches $2B investment arm With $1.7 trillion in sovereign wealth, Abu Dhabi has long sought to establish itself as a global financial hub. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia escalates Arabic AI race with new state-backed chatbot The app is available only in Saudi Arabia, but the company plans to expand across the region and eventually globally. Saudi Arabia
UAE president makes first-ever visit to Angola as part of Africa push The UAE president’s visit to Angola, his first, marks a major step in the already strong relations between the two nations. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Middle East demand for US debt soars to $400B in turbulent year The first half of 2025 saw regional investors boost holdings of US Treasuries to record levels, led by the UAE, Israel and Kuwait, as markets digested turbulence from President Trump's trade agenda. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
China, UAE are transforming African economies, but on whose terms? China and the UAE are racing to get ahead in Africa’s economic future, each using a different playbook. United Arab Emirates
Qatari royal expands Africa push with $12B in Botswana after $39B in DRC, Zambia A Qatari delegation began a tour of 10 African countries on Aug. 13 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to explore investment opportunities. Qatar
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Knots, circles and tension at Sharjah Art From Aegean bites to expansive views on identity. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture