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
Internet censorship a double-edged sword for Tehran As Iran is home to an increasing number of online businesses, the new internet restrictions imposed by the government in response to the recent unrest are hitting many entrepreneurs. Iran
Tunisians fear another bread revolution Tunisians took to the streets to protest the government’s state budget and austerity measures, leading to violent clashes that raised concerns about a repeat of the bread riots of the 1980s. Tunisia
Egypt to switch to cash subsidies instead of bread The Egyptian Ministry of Supply’s plan to shift from in-kind bread subsidies to cash subsidies triggered controversy amid fears of an increase in the rate of inflation. Egypt
Rouhani’s bad news budget The Rouhani administration’s proposed budget for the coming Iranian year is set to be contractionary in real terms and could lead to a credit crunch. Iran
Israel seeks to revive long abandoned railway to Gulf Israel is currently discussing a project to reopen the old Hejaz railway to connect it with Saudi Arabia, though many Egyptians are concerned about its impact on trade through the Suez Canal. Egypt
Egypt eyes extensive role in Syria reconstruction efforts Egyptian companies are seeking to participate in the reconstruction of Syria and communicating with the concerned Syrian parties to discuss their involvement. Egypt
Impoverished Gaza's economy on verge of total collapse The economic situation in the long-suffering Gaza Strip has become so dire, some economists are calling on ex-pats to pump money into the small enclave. Palestine
Iraq has much to gain from gas-supply pact with Kuwait A deal to export gas to Kuwait could help Iraq pay off war reparations, take advantage of otherwise wasted flare gas and make inroads with other Gulf countries. Kuwait
2018 fraught with uncertainties for Turkish economy Despite its spectacular growth this year, Turkey’s economy is burdened with serious problems and fragilities that might spoil the party next year. Turkey
Cryptocurrencies could offer Iran way around sanctions While the rise of cryptocurrencies potentially offers Iran a way around the web of sanctions, much remains to be done for the country to be able to fully take advantage of such an opportunity. Iran
Does boycotting US medication benefit Egypt? Several Egyptian companies have called on citizens to boycott American pharmaceutical companies in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Egypt
Crossing opens to help rebuild Syria, boost commerce with Turkey With the opening of al-Rai border crossing in northern Aleppo, authorities there hope to develop trade activities with Turkey and later allow travelers to move freely between the two countries. Syria
