Saudi Arabia lifts 5-year ban on Lebanon imports: What to know Saudi Arabia had been a main donor for Lebanon before ties strained during Hezbollah’s rising influence in the country. Lebanon
Suez Canal traffic soars as Hormuz disruptions reroute energy trade The canal generated $419 million in revenue in April, up 27% year over year. Egypt
Syria says Iraqi oil shipments surge as Damascus courts foreign energy investment Speaking at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Washington on Tuesday, Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Yousef Qiblawy said Iraq's overland oil exports through Syria have expanded rapidly in recent months. Syria
Explainer Saudi Arabia, Turkey advance plans to revive historic Hejaz Railway Turkish and Saudi officials signed agreements as part of a Turkish push to revive the Hejaz Railway linking Turkey to the Gulf through Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Turkey
Analysis Turkey pushes Iraq, Syria trade routes as Hormuz crisis disrupts Gulf shipping By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Egypt cracks down on Syrian businesses allegedly tied to Brotherhood Egypt is going after certain Syrian businesses that have flourished, citing national security. Egypt
Significant challenges face Kadhimi’s economic reform project The economic reform project that Mustafa al-Kadhimi's government is supposed to propose soon faces great challenges related to the need to get parliament’s approval before taking any step. Iraq
Will Suez Canal feel impact of UAE-Israel normalization? The potential economic agreements between the United Arab Emirates and Israel may reduce traffic through Egypt’s Suez Canal. United Arab Emirates
Kenya taxes Egyptian imports raising specter of African trade war Kenya has decided to impose taxes on the imports coming from Egypt, following its unilateral retreat from the COMESA agreement. Egypt
Israel’s Gulf diplomacy and its discontents As Israel and its new regional partners begin trade talks, Palestinians, Israeli Arabs and the Israeli left are on the sidelines. United Arab Emirates
COVID-19 and the marginalization of Iranian women COVID-19 has adversely impacted many segments of society across the globe, including Iranian women. Some fear the damage will be permanent. Originals
Iranian tourism drops to 'near-zero levels' due to coronavirus The coronavirus pandemic is choking Iran’s tourism industry as the number of foreign tourists drops to an all-time low, prompting record layoffs and reducing income to near-zero levels. Iran
Algerians warn EU trade agreement could further decimate economy As the free trade accord goes into effect this weak, Algeria fears the consequences could be devastating. Algeria
Egypt sends signal to Turkey by deepening ties with Jordan, Iraq Amid accelerated regional threats and economic repercussions in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, a tripartite summit was held between the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Iraq Aug. 25 to develop a security, diplomatic and economic bloc. Egypt
Jordan emphasizes economic benefits of ties with Egypt, Iraq While Jordan's King Abdullah focused on economic relations during the trilateral summit Aug. 25, the two-state solution to resolve the Palestinian issue and the recent Israel-UAE normalization agreement were also discussed by the three countries. Jordan
As Iraqi PM balances ties with US, Iran and Arab states, Tehran weighs next move Although Iran supports Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, there are signs it has concerns about his rapprochement with the United States and the Arab world. Iraq
Turkey’s tilt toward Pakistan provokes India’s ire An Indian intelligence reports sees Turkey as becoming a hub for anti-India activities second only to Pakistan. Turkey
