Egypt urges BRICS to deepen financial ties after Trump threatens tariffs Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly said that due to the global decline in multilateralism and crises engulfing the world, members of the bloc of developing nations should bolster their financial and economic ties. Egypt
Interview How Red Sea attacks prepared Egypt’s economy for future shocks The CEO of Egypt's third-largest bank tells Al-Monitor why he is hopeful about the country's economic recovery.
Analysis At Brazil summit, BRICS welcomes new Middle East members as divisions continue A year after formally joining at the Kazan summit, Iran, Egypt and the UAE attend their first BRICS summit hosted outside Russia — as Saudi Arabia continues to weigh whether to join. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis Gulf bets on LNG boom power ahead amid regional energy shifts, war risks Gulf oil powers are emerging as key LNG players, leveraging rising consumer demand to justify strategic global gas investments and to scale up their own LNG production at home. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Kuwait's heatwaves, high demand strain fragile power grid: What to know By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Interview Former French PM says Trump has ‘immense opportunity’ in Mideast Dominique de Villepin Former French prime minister
Israel's Elbit clinches $53M deal to sell mortar systems to Europe Between 2019 and 2023, Israeli weapons constituted 2.4% of the global market, massively reshaped by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and increased imports by European countries. Israel
Dubai crowned wealthiest city in Middle East, home to 72,500 millionaires The number of individuals in Dubai with liquid investment wealth — assets that can be readily converted to cash — of $1 million or more increased by 78% between 2013 and 2023 to 72,500, according to a report. United Arab Emirates
Turkey and Kuwait sign six deals as Erdogan hosts country's Emir The Kuwaiti emir traveled to Turkey for his first foreign visit to a non-Arab country since he took the oath of office in December. Turkey
KFC, Pizza Hut profit in Middle East cut by half amid Gaza war boycotts Americana Restaurants said the decline was due to the “ongoing geopolitical tensions” in the Middle East and the effect of the Ramadan period. Israel
As it seeks to rival China and Pakistan, India sets its sights on Oman trade deal The agreement could serve as a "strategic lever" for New Delhi to expand its influence in the Middle East. Oman
UAE’s non-oil revenues hit by April floods, but quick recovery expected The seasonally adjusted S&P Global UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 55.3 points in April, still indicating growth, but had been at 56.9 the previous month. United Arab Emirates
UAE, Ukraine conclude trade deal talks, Emirates to help post-war reconstruction Ukraine’s bilateral trade has sharply fallen since Russia invaded the country in February 2022. United Arab Emirates
Can $20B Iraq Development Road project rival India-Middle East corridor? A new trade route is in the works to connect the Gulf with Europe along the Development Road, starting in Iraq. Iraq
Chipotle opens restaurant in Kuwait, its first in Middle East The Mexican-style food chain’s entry into the Middle East comes as Western brands in the region deal with the effects of Gaza war-related boycotts. Kuwait
As Iran, Israel trade fire, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan try to forge stability As Prince Faisal bin Farhan made his way to Pakistan with a high-powered delegation to discuss energy and economic ties, tension in the Middle East overshadowed the discussions. Saudi Arabia
EU releases another $1.06B to Egypt to boost fragile economy The European Union's latest package of support for the North African country's economic recovery follows an $8 billion deal announced March 17. Egypt
Lufthansa extends Tehran flights ban as Iran-Israel tensions flare The Middle East remains on high alert after a suspected Israeli airstrike killed seven senior Iranian commanders in Damascus April 1. Iran