Analysis Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi The Gulf’s top financial hubs have posted another strong year in 2025, with the UAE spearheading a regional push to attract hedge funds, asset managers, crypto and fintech firms as regional neighbors target growth of their own. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
UAE AI investor MGX moves closer to strategic stake in TikTok US The state-linked Emirati investment firm is set to acquire a 15% stake in the social media platform's new US business as part of a plan that would avert a nationwide ban starting in 2026. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Art at the edge: Kalba show explores borders & belonging Also this week: Lion in the Sun debuts in Dubai, ‘Poetry of Birds’ opens at L’ECOLE and festive cheer lights up Expo City By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: China-Middle East China, UAE and the balancing act The UAE navigates growing ties with China while maintaining its strategic partnership with the US. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Newsletter: Gulf China, India step up Gulf diplomacy By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Newsletter: FutureVerse AI robots take on UAE construction By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Democrats’ promised Trump probes threaten to sweep up Mideast allies Key US allies could be caught in the crosshairs as Democrats plan extensive investigations into President Donald Trump’s policies and business dealings should they win in November. Saudi Arabia
UN warns of famine after Yemen talks sputter In an interview with Al-Monitor, the top UN aid official in Yemen warned that 10 million more people are at risk of starving if fighting in the war-torn country doesn’t stop. Saudi Arabia
How did Turkey end up with VIP plane it didn’t need? A Qatar leader's VIP plane that had first been put up for sale ended up as a gift for Erdogan, causing a major stir in Turkey. United Arab Emirates
Trump shelves Gulf talks until next year The White House has once again postponed a Gulf Cooperation Council summit aimed at bringing together the fragmented alliance to counter Iran. Saudi Arabia
Qatar crisis looms over Trump meeting with Kuwait emir In a quiet visit overshadowed by domestic US political turmoil, Kuwait’s emir visited the White House on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia
UN war crimes report threatens US support for Yemen war A UN report alleging that the anti-Houthi coalition may have carried out war crimes could further erode support for US bomb sales and military support. Saudi Arabia
US outsources Syria aid to Gulf In an apparent win for the Donald Trump administration, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to pick up the tab to stabilize Syria. Saudi Arabia
Trump, Democrats face off over Yemen war President Donald Trump is spurning Congress’ bipartisan bid to exert more control over the war in Yemen despite signing key oversight provisions into law. Saudi Arabia
US defense bill could impact arms exports to Middle East This year’s US defense authorization bill calls for reforming America’s high-tech exports even as weapons sales to the region boom. Saudi Arabia
Yemen war escalates as Houthis threaten UAE, Saudi Arabia Escalating threats by Yemen's Houthi rebels indicate the group is still not intimidated by the Saudi-led coalition, portending more suffering for Yemeni civilians. Saudi Arabia
UAE talks up diplomacy as Congress curtails US involvement in Yemen war Emirati officials are taking to Capitol Hill to say they’re giving the UN-brokered peace in Yemen a shot, but their patience is running out. Saudi Arabia