United Arab Emirates - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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United Arab Emirates

September 7, 2026

Abu Dhabi 5:29 am

34°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

An Etihad airplane model is displayed at the Arabian Travel Market Exhibition.

Etihad tests out environmentally friendly flights

The airline said that sustainable aviation fuel will be needed to make planes pollute significantly less, but the technology is not ready for mass use.

United Arab Emirates

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Explainer: Oman may follow as most Gulf central banks raise rates

Inflation in the Gulf has not been as severe as in other parts of the region.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, Dubai's Vy Capital help Elon Musk buy Twitter

Musk's takeover of Twitter has several implications for the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

General view of the Emirates' Central Bank, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 3, 2017.

UAE announces date for auction of dirham bonds

The Emirati government began selling bonds for the first time last year in a bid to diversify financially. This is the first time bonds will be sold in the local currency, as opposed to the US dollar.

United Arab Emirates

A view of a French jeweller Cartier shop at Jumeirah mall, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 8, 2017.

Abu Dhabi removes COVID-19-related capacity restrictions, masks remain

The United Arab Emirates’ largest city also recently mandated the resumption of in-person classes for students, and is heading toward a return to the pre-coronavirus normal.

United Arab Emirates

Crypto hacking event returns to Dubai

The UAE is emerging as a regional hub for cryptocurrency activities.

United Arab Emirates

Kashmir

Explainer: UAE business delegation visits Kashmir, meets Indian PM

The UAE and India have a strong economic relationship. The Kashmir visit could affect UAE-Pakistan ties.

United Arab Emirates

Swvl transportation.

Dubai-based transportation startup Swvl acquires Turkey’s Volt Lines

Swvl has recently bought other firms in Europe and Latin America and has received funds to help advance the transportation safety of women in Egypt.

United Arab Emirates

Marco Bello/Getty Images

UAE crypto push continues as Kraken invades Abu Dhabi

Two other cryptocurrency exchanges have also announced moves to Dubai recently.

United Arab Emirates

Korea UAE

Abu Dhabi, South Korea pledge to boost economic relations

South Korean entities have signed major deals with Egypt and Saudi Arabia recently.

United Arab Emirates

LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images

UAE-India economic agreement to lower tariffs, duties in bid to boost trade

India is one of the UAE’s largest trading partners, with oil, jewelry and textiles forming a bulk of the trade.

United Arab Emirates

Morocco solar

Emirati firm to build solar power plants in Morocco

Morocco is heavily dependent on imports for its energy needs, and is working to increase its use of renewable sources.