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
Putin, Aoun discuss Syrian refugee crisis, regional issues President Putin and President Aoun hold wide-ranging talks, including about the return of refugees to Syria, and Lebanon indicates that despite its issues with Washington, strong US-Lebanese government ties are going to continue. Lebanon
Russian businesses wary of Syria reconstruction investments Russia faces many barriers in its bid to invest in Syria's reconstruction, including excessive Syrian bureaucracy. Syria
IRGC commanders begin to reprimand Iranians for electing Rouhani Ultraconservative commanders in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are now openly criticizing voters for electing Hassan Rouhani, whose performance they view as the root cause of the country's economic woes. Iran
New pact will open flow of Egyptian workers to Libya Egypt and Libya recently signed an agreement to cooperate on screening Egyptian laborers so more of them can enter Libya as the security situation is gradually improving. Egypt
Will Iraq lose its benefits from Shatt al-Arab River to Iran? The recent renewal of an Iraqi-Iranian agreement on the Shatt al-Arab River stirred controversy among Iraqis, as many are concerned Iran will take over the border river. Iraq
Will Mankai Textile Industrial Park be a blessing for Egypt's textile sector? The construction of the largest Chinese textile city in Egypt is raising the concerns of local manufacturers and state-owned textile factories, which are already suffering huge losses. Egypt
Egypt seeks capital market boost with new futures exchange Economists say the futures contracts exchange that was recently approved in Egypt will enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian market in general, paving the way for launching a number of futures contracts and commodity exchanges. Egypt
Road map for Iran-EU trade and investment relations Europe is making efforts to set up a special purpose vehicle to uphold legitimate trade with Iran, but there is a need for a more comprehensive action plan for such trade and political relations. United States
Politicians in Lebanon take aim at three key sectors to reduce record deficit The Lebanese government is discussing economic reforms aimed at reducing the country’s budget deficit, a key condition to receive billions of dollars worth of foreign investments. Lebanon
All eyes on Turkey's 3 biggest cities as local elections approach Turks suffering under 20% inflation and 13.5% unemployment may punish President Erdogan's coalition in March 31 elections in the nation's three largest cities. Turkey
Barzani: Russia key to settlement between Assad and Syrian Kurds Manbij leaders prefer the United States, but would rather deal with Russia and Syria than Turkey; Amberin Zaman gets exclusive access to a prison for IS terrorists; did HTS force the resignation of a Syrian opposition leader?; Syrians protest Turkish truckers; Rouhani’s meeting with Sistani is "crowning achievement" of trip to Iraq. Iraq
Trump officials warn more Iran sanctions are coming State and Treasury department experts today warned a roomful of businesspeople that trade that is legal now may not be in the near future. Iraq
