Feature Cheap oil, tighter finances, wars constrained Mid East economies in 2025 Low oil prices, tighter financial conditions and elevated geopolitical risk hampered growth across much of the Middle East and North Africa this year. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis Egypt’s $35B Israel gas deal buys time, tests fragile energy partnership The agreement is a critical stopgap as Cairo grapples with domestic power demands, but the last two years have tested Egypt-Israel energy cooperation in unprecedented ways. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Iran currency plunges to historic low amid factional blame game As Iran's judiciary publicly rebukes the central bank over the rial's collapse, the currency crisis is no longer economic and is fast becoming a test of political accountability and regime stability. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Yemeni ministries declare support for STC campaign as Gulf tensions flare Yemen's Saudi-backed government criticized the statements in support of the Southern Transitional Council, which is supported by the UAE, as Gulf states deliberate on how to move forward. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
The interplay between exchange rates and inflation in Iran While the Iranian rial has strengthened against the dollar, inflation remains high, and the budget deficit is not helping the matter. Iran
Crisis-hit Turkey suffers erosion in investments Turkey’s economic downturn has been marked by a dramatic decline in investments, both private and public, bearing heavily on joblessness. Turkey
Video game exec encourages independent developers in Mideast Hussam Al-Natour, founder of Rababa Gaming, describes the challenges and potential of the Mideast’s video game industry. Jordan
Egypt’s rate cut to boost property, gold and stock markets Egypt’s central bank recently slashed key interest rates by 1.5%, triggering public concerns about a possible depreciation of the local currency. Egypt
Will rancor or realism prevail in Turkish-Israeli ties? While there continues to be a large political gap between Turkey and Israel, economic ties continue to be strong despite the lack of a gas pipeline deal. Israel
How Jordan handled fuming crisis over cigarettes Residents of the border city of Ramtha in the north of Jordan have protested recently against new government measures to curb smuggling, which would further add to their economic burdens. Jordan
Palestinian, Israeli economies intertwined A tour of the West Bank city of Bethlehem makes it clear that the Palestinian and Israeli economies are intertwined. Palestine
Cash-strapped Jordan imposes new taxes; public anger ensues Economists suggest the Jordanian government should cut its own expenses and those of its staff instead of imposing taxes that add to the people’s economic burden. Jordan
Egypt seeks to increase exports to Africa Despite figures indicating an increase in the Egyptian exports to Africa, there still seem to be several obstacles facing Egyptian exports to the continent. Egypt
Iran plans revamp of national currency The Iranian Cabinet has approved a bill to remove four zeros from the national currency, the rial, and rename it the toman, but economists are divided over the potential impact. Iran
Why Netanyahu downplays historic trade agreement with South Korea Israel’s most nationalist government ever pledges to annex the occupied territories, and then approves a historic trade pact with South Korea that boycotts the settlements. Palestine
Russia ready to fund Palestinian industrial zone Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh discussed with the Russian ambassador the possibility of establishing an industrial zone in Nablus in light of Palestine’s ongoing efforts to promote its local economy and disengage from Israel. Palestine
