Exclusive Direct Turkey-Armenia land trade to begin amid US-led Caucasus peace push New transit arrangement via Georgia cuts re-export costs, marking accelerating normalization between Ankara and Yerevan amid broader US-led peace efforts. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Meet Fahad Al-Saif, PIF exec and Saudi Arabia's new investment minister Saif previously led investment strategy at the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund and has held senior roles at the Saudi Awwal Bank and HSBC Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Why Algeria's nixing of UAE air deal is more diplomatic than economic Algeria has begun canceling its air services agreement with the UAE amid heightened tensions over the Gulf country’s foreign policy in the region. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Crypto crash collides with UAE’s big bet on digital assets After hitting record highs in 2025, Bitcoin’s sell-off is roiling global markets and making waves in the UAE. United Arab Emirates
Analysis As envoys recalled, what's driving Israel-South Africa rupture? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Saudi Arabia downsizes megaprojects, chases cash amid AI push By Samuel Wendel , Jack Dutton
Iran consumer prices remain stubbornly high despite rial recovery Despite the Iranian national currency's comeback, consumer prices have yet to see commensurate drops due to price rigidity and uncertainty over the country's economic future. Iran
Egypt to take charge of Tanzania dam construction Egypt and Tanzania recently signed a contract allowing Egyptian companies to build a hydroelectric dam in the African country, which experts say will help boost Egypt’s economy. Egypt
Egypt preparing for stage 3 of Victoria-Mediterranean project The first phase of feasibility studies for the Victoria-Mediterranean Waterway Project will soon conclude, but funding for the next phase is still to be determined. Egypt
Egypt taps Asian markets for agricultural export growth Egypt signed a series of agreements to export its agricultural products to Asia, including China and Japan, in a bid to boost its ailing economy. Egypt
How will Egypt integrate its shadow economy in its official one? A study shows that Egypt’s shadow economy amounts to about $400 billion a year, prompting the government to merge it with its official economy through a series of new laws. Egypt
Turkey’s recession becomes official The shrinking Turkish economy needs external funds to start growing again, but luring foreign investors back is a tall task that Turkey is unlikely to accomplish in the short run. Turkey
Iran, Russia-led bloc move toward free trade The Iranian government is widening channels of trade with Eurasia and India in an effort to dodge the impacts of reimposed US sanctions. Russia
Why the Rouhani administration must eliminate energy subsidies Despite pressure from lawmakers and the general public, the Rouhani administration must proceed with fuel-subsidy reform in order to relieve itself of avoidable financial burdens. Iran
Egypt eyes bigger exports to Arab, African markets Egypt has announced the imminent launch of a free zone in Nuweiba, the first in the Sinai Peninsula, and experts believe such a project will boost economic ties with Saudi Arabia and increase Egyptian exports. Saudi Arabia
Will Egyptian move to curb imports stoke inflation? Egyptian authorities floated the customs foreign exchange rate for non-basic commodities in a move aimed at curbing imports and demand for the US dollar while hopefully boosting local production of substitutes. Egypt
Turkey’s complex balancing act between Russia and Ukraine President Erdogan’s desire to mediate between Moscow and Kiev is confounded by Turkish policies in Crimea and Russian separatism in eastern Ukraine. Turkey
Asia buoys Iran as US sanctions hit Iran is still selling considerable quantities of oil to China, Japan, India and South Korea thanks to US waivers and other mechanisms to circumvent sanctions. Iraq
