Can Iran’s promised economic reforms quell unrest? The Iranian government has made several economic pledges to protesters, though some carry risk of increasing inflation further. Iran
MidEast VC funding hits record $3.8B in 2025, driven by strong Gulf showing Many emerging venture markets contracted in 2025, but the Middle East and North Africa bucked the trend. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, UAE accelerate cashless payment push in 2026: What to know Dubai is targeting 90% cashless transactions by the end of 2026, while Saudi Arabia is now set to enforce an e-payments rule for domestic workers. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia to open stock markets to all foreign investors in February: What to know The Saudi Capital Market Authority announced that it would remove restrictions that have historically limited foreign investors' access to the country’s Tadawul stock exchange. Saudi Arabia
Feature Cheap oil, tighter finances, wars constrained Mid East economies in 2025 By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis Iran currency plunges to historic low amid factional blame game By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
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
Morocco’s markets rise as World Cup spending fuels largest IPO in decades Shares in SGTM jumped by 10% on Dec. 16 after the construction firm raised roughly $550 million from its IPO, underscoring demand in a market that has featured few new listings in recent years. Morocco
Egypt secures Qatari investment boost, launches first SCZONE industrial deal Bilateral trade between the two countries rose to $143 million during the first 10 months of 2025. Egypt
Mideast funds back Paramount's $108B Warner Bros. takeover bid Netflix appeared to have won a weeks-long bidding war with Paramount and Comcast, securing a $72 billion equity deal for Warner Bros. Discovery's TV, film studios and streaming assets, but Monday's $108 billion bid changes the calculus. Saudi Arabia
What role is Jordan playing in Syria's reconstruction? As Syria’s southern neighbor, Jordan is already positioning itself as a logistics hub and diplomatic broker for Syria’s reconstruction. Syria
Saudi PIF eyes $27B Japan portfolio as kingdom courts Asian investment Saudi Arabia is strengthening economic ties with Asian countries as it pursues its economic transformation goals. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi Arabia opens Nomu Parallel Market to new investors: What to know Easing investing rules and deepening capital markets to diversify the Saudi economy are key to fulfilling Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia
UAE showcases global AI ambitions with $1B Africa pledge at G20 The Gulf country is the world's top investor in Africa, with Emirati companies committing $100 billion to projects on the continent between 2019 and 2023, according to data from the Financial Times. United Arab Emirates
Live Updates Trump gives MBS red-carpet welcome, touts F-35 deal, $1T Saudi investment Trump is hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House in a high-profile visit aimed at resetting US-Saudi ties and securing major defense, nuclear and investment deals. Saudi Arabia
Dubai, Abu Dhabi make world’s top 5 destinations for wealthy: What to know In Savills’ Spotlight on Wealth Trends 2025 report, Dubai topped the charts while Abu Dhabi ranked fifth. United Arab Emirates
Gorka praises Lebanon's President Aoun, discusses money laundering Gorka, who led the US Treasury Department delegation that met Aoun, referred to the president as a “friend” and "Christian leader" in a post on X and said he could help expand the Abraham Accords. Lebanon
Billion-dollar AI, clean energy deals headline Saudi 'Davos in the Desert' Humain, an AI firm backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, the PIF, signed a $3 billion deal with AirTrunk, a company backed by US asset manager Blackstone, to build a data center campus in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
