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United Arab Emirates

September 6, 2026

Abu Dhabi 10:07 pm

36°C

The entrance to the city of Qiddiya, south of the capital Riyadh, April 25, 2019.

Analysis

Iran war tests Gulf's theme park ambitions

Saudi Arabia is pressing ahead with multibillion-dollar projects as the conflict disrupts regional tourism and exposes weaknesses in the Gulf states' entertainment strategies.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

A man walks past a mural depicting oil pumps and the Venezuelan flag, with portraits of Venezuelan independence leader Simon Bolivar (L) and former late President Hugo Chavez (R), in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sept. 3, 2026.

Analysis

Could Trump’s oil push in Venezuela upend OPEC’s energy order?

Washington’s growing role in controlling the Latin American country's crude riches could help reshape an energy order centered on OPEC as the Hormuz crisis pressures Gulf exports.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Ongoing construction work is pictured at a site in Marota City, a new mixed-use development project near the Umayyad Square in Damascus on July 22, 2026. Syria's new leaders, who inherited a dilapidated economy, are trying to attract capital without waiting for the full lifting of international sanctions. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP via Getty Images)

UAE investment fuels Syria's postwar economic recovery with $7B property deal

The deal would see UAE-based Arada develop a major real estate project in Damascus.

JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

UAE gauges new Lebanon deals amid Levant economic stabilization push

Beirut welcomed a high-level business delegation from the UAE in late August as Abu Dhabi pursues new regional economic engagement amid Iran's waning influence.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Analysis

UAE-China air drills deepen with fourth Falcon Shield exercise

Chinese President Xi Jinping and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Lebanon, UAE ink deals, deepen economic ties on Emirati Beirut visit

UAE Foreign Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi (L) and Lebanese Economy Minister Amr al-Bisat after signing a memorandum of understanding, Beirut, Aug. 27, 2026.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Mohammed Soliman

In Washington, DC, reporting on Gulf politics

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) met today met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) in Abu Dhabi, June 22, 2023.

Iran rushes regional thaw in UAE as it hopes for sanctions relief

Iran's foreign minister was in the United Arab Emirates to pursue the Islamic Republic's reproachment drive, while his deputy was on a parallel mission in neighboring Qatar in a quest for sanctions relief through indirect diplomacy with the United States.

United Arab Emirates

Technicians work at the headquarters of the Israeli company 1MRobotics, in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on, January 11, 2023. - Behind a seemingly ordinary storefront in Tel Aviv, the Israeli company is speeding up online shopping by replacing staff with robots that manoevure around small, streetside storerooms. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

The Middle East joins the global supercomputer competition

While most of the Middle East is not competing in the supercomputing race, Israel is one of a handful of countries that include Saudi Arabia and the UAE that have the high-tech aspirations, financial resources and local talent to be players

David Rosenberg

David Rosenberg

In Tel Aviv, reporting on business and tech

Astra II rocket launchers open fire during military exercises at the Formosa Instruction Center in the state of Goias, 100 km from Brasilia, on August 16, 2021. - The armed forces mobilized 2500 soldiers to participate in the operation Formosa Operational Demonstration. (Photo by EVARISTO SA / AFP) (Photo by EVARISTO SA/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE defense firm EDGE and Brazilian navy sign anti-ship missiles deal

The agreement follows the United Arab Emirates participating alongside Brazil in the BRICS meeting earlier this month.

Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah (R) meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L), in Kuwait City

Iran's FM visits Kuwait, then UAE in latest Gulf charm offensive

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Oman on Tuesday to meet with Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi as part of his Gulf tour that began in Doha.

United Arab Emirates

Boats are anchored in the Dubai Creek surrounded by high-rise buildings in the Gult emirate, on February 18, 2023. - Home to towering skyscrapers and ultra-luxury villas, Dubai saw record real estate transactions in 2022, largely due to an influx of wealthy investors, especially from Russia. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Dubai leaps to world’s 7th most expensive city for luxury living, overtaking Paris, Zurich

The UAE finance hub made the top 10 list for the first time in Julius Baer’s global wealth index published Tuesday.

United Arab Emirates

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

UAE, Qatar reopen embassies after years of political rift

The Emirati and Qatari foreign ministers held a phone call ahead of the two embassies restarting their diplomatic functions on Monday.

United Arab Emirates

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 16, 2023. (Photo by Ilya PITALEV / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by ILYA PITALEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Putin, MBZ meet in St. Petersburg, vow to boost Russia-UAE ties

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan called for de-escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war and a political resolution.

United Arab Emirates

Visitors view a TAI/AgustaWestland T129 ATAK attack helicopter on display at the Turkish Aerospace stand during the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX), part of the wider International Defence Exhibtion (IDEX) at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre on February 20, 2023. (Photo by Ryan LIM / AFP) (Photo by RYAN LIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Economic arsenals: the Middle East’s rise as a global defense industry hub

The Mideast's defense market is evolving, motivated by a desire to secure greater self-sufficiency and national sovereignty.

Dubai free trade zone

Dubai free zone reports 24% increase in Chinese companies

The Dubai Multi Commodities Center has more than 770 Chinese companies in its free trade zone.

United Arab Emirates

Cars drive along a street in front of high-rise buildings in Dubai on Feb. 18, 2023.

UAE ranked first globally in attracting new millionaires in 2022

The UAE had the highest net inflow of millionaires in the world in 2022, while China had the highest net outflow, followed by India and the United Kingdom.

United Arab Emirates

Accounts in the names of Ben, Brianna, Caitlin and Chloe exude optimism about the role of the UAE in promoting climate action

Fake Twitter 'blondes' promote UAE climate summit

Agence France-Presse

Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Turkey's Erdogan runs soccer diplomacy with UAE, Libya at Champions League final

Turkey's president hosted Libya’s prime minister and the UAE president at the Champions League final in Istanbul.