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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives to attend the second day of the first Syrian-Emirati (United Arab Emirates) Investment Forum, at the People's Palace in Damascus on May 12, 2026. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Ports and infrastructure: UAE embraces new economic order in Syria

UAE-Syrian ties have moved faster than expected, with Abu Dhabi embracing President Ahmad al-Sharaa and relations shifting from normalization to investment opportunities.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Explosions rattled buildings in Dubai and a large cloud of smoke hung over a central area of the Middle East financial hub on March 13, 2026.

Analysis

How the Iran war is exposing a growing Saudi-UAE divide

Reports on Emirati and Saudi strikes suggest Gulf monarchies moved beyond passive defense — but followed sharply different strategies.

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Women shop from a street vendor at Enghelab Square in the capital Tehran on Nov. 11, 2025.

Analysis

From hoarding to unemployment: Iran's economy buckles under US pressure

Iran's fast-rising inflation is driving aggressive state market controls, exposing deeper structural strains from war, sanctions and declining consumer confidence.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks

The Pentagon will host Israeli and Lebanese military delegations for a round of separate security talks later this month.

Lebanon

President Donald Trump speaks in front of the American flag to the press as he departs the White House on May 12, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Trump’s Gaza plan stalls as Hamas resists disarmament

The militant group appears to be stalling as the mediators push it to accept a US-backed disarmament proposal.

United States

Latest News

UAE unveils $5B India investment push during Modi visit: What to know

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Abu Dhabi on May 15, 2026, and was warmly received by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport. The PM is shown being accorded a Guard of Honor upon his arrival.

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Why China didn’t hand Trump a breakthrough on Iran

By Rosaleen Carroll , Joyce Karam

Iraqi militia leader in US custody after arrest: What to know

An undated image released by the Justice Department shows Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi (R) speaking with Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US strike in 2020.

Iraq

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'I'm lucky to be in a place where I can express myself knowing that I have job offers,' said Bardem

Spanish star Javier Bardem says 'narrative changing' on Gaza

Agence France-Presse

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits US President Donald Trump in Florida in December 2025

Israel could wean itself off US defence aid, but not yet

Agence France-Presse

Israel said it had killed Ezzedine Al-Haddad, whom it described it as chief of the armed wing of Palestinian movement Hamas, after a residential builing was hit in the Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City

Israel says Hamas armed wing chief killed in Gaza strike

Agence France-Presse

Israel launched new airstrikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

War in Middle East: latest developments

Agence France-Presse

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Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane says Turkey visit ‘in the making,’ Ocalan meeting possible

Mazloum Kobane

SDF commander in chief

Interview

Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Ehud Olmert

Former Israeli prime minister

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UAE official says opening Hormuz integral to any Iran deal, describes infrastructure damage 'manageable'

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UAE assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability

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UK fintech brings foreign currency accounts to Syrians at home

A Syrian citizen exchanges old banknotes for new notes released and distributed by the central bank, at a bank in the capital, Damascus, on Jan. 3, 2026.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

How the Iran war is exposing a growing Saudi-UAE divide

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Analysis

Ports and infrastructure: UAE embraces new economic order in Syria

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Why China didn’t hand Trump a breakthrough on Iran

By Rosaleen Carroll , Joyce Karam

Analysis

From hoarding to unemployment: Iran's economy buckles under US pressure

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Joyce Karam, Randa Slim, Hamidreza Azizi, Hasan Alhasan

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