Economy and trade

A drone is seen during the opening ceremony of the Milipol, the international exhibition of homeland security, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, in Doha, on Oct. 31, 2016.

UAE deals with Anduril, Palantir deepen US tech footprint in Gulf defense

A new generation of Silicon Valley-linked US defense players are strengthening Gulf ties, representing a challenge to America’s legacy weapons giants in the region.

United Arab Emirates

A yacht is pictured at the Dubai Marina in Dubai August 6, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

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

ABDEL MAJID BZIOUAT/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Morocco's UN-backed Western Sahara plan offers investors some reassurance

Last week, the UN Security Council voted in favor of a resolution backing Rabat’s plan for Western Sahara, describing autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the “most feasible solution” to the 50-year disagreement over the disputed territory.

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

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt's foreign reserves exceed $50B mark for first time: What to know

The stronger reserve position signals that Egypt has largely emerged from its worst economic crunch in decades.

Latest News

Analysis

Sharaa in Washington: Can US charm offensive boost Syria’s reconstruction?

DAMASCUS, SYRIA - JULY 16: Members of Syria's civil defense work amid the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on Syria's defence ministry headquarters on July 16, 2025 in Damascus, Syria. A spokesperson from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes have targeted the headquarters of Syria's defence ministry and a site near the presidential palace in Damascus. The strikes come amid an escalation in conflict between Syrian government forces and Druze militia in the southern Sy

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Syria advances Qatar-backed $7B power project amid soaring electricity prices

This picture taken on July 10, 2022, shows a view of the thermal natural gas and fuel oil power plant serving Syria's northern city of Aleppo.

Culture

From Hollywood set to heritage hub: Morocco’s $75M bet on Ouarzazate

A man stands atop the kasbah of Ait-Ben-Haddou.

Analysis

UK chases elusive GCC trade deal that could boost exports, economic links

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, right, and Qatari Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari arrive at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 28, 2025.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A train moves during the inauguration of a 140-kilometres line running from eastern Iran into western Afghanistan, at a railroad station in Khaf, on Dec. 10, 2020.

Analysis

Iran revives cross-border rail projects in bid to anchor Eurasian trade routes

Iran aims to turn its rail network into a strategic lever across Eurasia, despite risks from sanctions and regional instability.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on Oct. 6, 2025 in Washington, DC.

US energy secretary scraps visit after Israel puts $35B Egypt gas deal on hold

Despite US pressure, Energy Minister Eli Cohen refuses to approve a $35 billion gas deal with Egypt until "a fair price for the Israeli market" is secured.

An employee wearing a face mask against the coronavirus, is pictured at the port of Jebel Ali, operated by the Dubai-based giant ports operator DP World, in the southern outskirts of the Gulf emirate of Dubai, on June 18, 2020.

UAE’s DP World to invest $5B in India's infrastructure: What to know

The Dubai-headquartered logistics firm has already invested $3 billion into the South Asian nation over three decades.

United Arab Emirates

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

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.

Shark Tank Lebanon

Culture

'Shark Tank Lebanon' debuts, offering entrepreneurs hope amid economic turmoil

A Lebanese version of the popular US reality TV show "Shark Tank" hit the airwaves in Lebanon, where unemployment rates have reached record highs in the past years due to a protracted economic and financial crisis and the Israel-Hezbollah war.

AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images

Iran to host Pakistani interior minister as border security, trade talks advance

Iran is finessing its relations with Pakistan, seeking to bolster border security and increase trade in response to sanctions.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pose for pictures before the signature of joint statements and agreements during the EU-Egypt summit in Brussels, on Oct. 22, 2025.

Analysis

EU-Egypt summit unlocks over $4B for Cairo as investments beckon

The landmark summit came 19 months after the EU and Egypt signed a 7.4 billion euro ($8.6 billion) strategic and comprehensive partnership aimed at stabilizing the North African nation’s economy and curbing irregular migration to Europe.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Picture of ore as mineral cassiterite (SnO2).

US, UAE strike $1.8B critical mineral venture amid China tensions and Gulf rivalry

United Arab Emirates

Iran's Deputy Defense Minister Majid Ebnoreza (L) sits next to Andrei Matsiyevich.

Grappling with Western sanctions, Iran, Belarus strengthen military ties

Defense-related cooperation between Iran and Belarus has accelerated considerably in recent years, particularly after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s trip to Tehran in 2023.

This picture taken on February 6, 2023 shows a view of Tibbin dual fuel (natural gas and fuel oil) powerplant and Helwan Steelworks, in the Helwan suburb south of Egypt's capital. (Photo by Amir MAKAR / AFP) (Photo by AMIR MAKAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt discovers 18 oil, gas wells as Cairo looks to up energy output

The discoveries support the government's ambition to increase Egypt's domestic energy supply.

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Turkey, Qatar sign defense deal as Ankara eyes Doha’s Eurofighters

The Turkish president’s visit to Qatar during his Gulf tour largely centered on defense ties and Qatar’s little-used Eurofighters, as Ankara moves to quickly rebuild its air power.

A ship sails along Egypt's Suez Canal near Ismailia, on April 16, 2025.

China deepens textile investments in Egypt's Suez Canal Zone

The agreements will establish new textiles factories covering 238,000 square meters, which are expected to create more than 3,000 direct job opportunities.