Economy and trade

Vessels are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, off the port city of Khasab on Oman's northern Musandam Peninsula, on May 17, 2026.

Analysis

Turkey pushes Iraq, Syria trade routes as Hormuz crisis disrupts Gulf shipping

Turkey is using the Hormuz crisis to promote Iraq- and Syria-based Gulf-Europe corridors, but experts say the routes remain too costly, underbuilt and politically fragile to rival maritime shipping.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Tankers are seen at the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in the Sharjah Emirate, along the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes on June 23, 2025.

UAE eyes first multifuel pipeline as Hormuz crisis drags on

State-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is considering building a refined oil products pipeline that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.

United Arab Emirates

The symbols of bitcoin and the stablecoin Tether (USDT) are displayed at a cryptocurrency store in Hong Kong on July 29, 2025.

Interview

Saudi Arabia eyes state-backed stablecoin amid digital finance push

Tokenization in Saudi Arabia has rapidly evolved from concept to early-stage execution since the early 2020s.

Muslim worshippers walk along the Grand Mosque complex in the holy city of Mecca on May 22, 2026, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Gulf celebrates Eid al-Adha under shadow of war

The holiday marks the first time in decades that Gulf states are observing one of Islam’s holiest celebrations against the backdrop of a regional conflict.

United Arab Emirates

Latest News

Analysis

Why Turkey sees opportunity in Hormuz crisis to boost Middle Corridor

Ships navigate the Bosphorus Strait on May 02, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran, forcing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and together with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, global shipping routes have been severely impacted. Soaring shipping costs, lengthening delivery times and less efficient routes have seen increased pressure on energy markets and supply chains worldwide. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Pushed out of Sahel, Macron turns to Egypt and Africa's anglophone countries

French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto during a reception at the State House ahead of the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi on May 10, 2026.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist , Rosaleen Carroll

Analysis

Pakistan’s six corridors offer Iran a trade lifeline, could outlast Hormuz crisis

Iranian cargo trucks cross into the Pakistan-Iran border at Taftan, Balochistan province, on June 18, 2025, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Analysis

From hoarding to unemployment: Iran's economy buckles under US pressure

Women shop from a street vendor at Enghelab Square in the capital Tehran on Nov. 11, 2025.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

The Public Investment Fund, PIF, presence during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 13, 2024, in Indian Wells, California.

What’s behind Saudi Public Investment Fund’s $17.2B profit?

The sovereign wealth fund’s turnaround following the loss in 2022 is due in large part to the stock market rebounding.

Exterior view from Trump Tower in New York City, on May 31, 2024. Donald Trump became the first former US president ever convicted of a crime after a New York jury found him guilty on all charges in his hush money case, months before an election that could see him yet return to the White House. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump Tower deal announced in Jeddah as Saudi business ties grow

The Trump Organization recently unveiled a development in Oman, while Trump’s golf course is again hosting the Saudi-backed LIV Golf this year.

Istanbul

In win for Simsek, Turkey removed from FATF money laundering watch list

Turkey was added to the Financial Action Task Force's watch list in 2021 amid concerns of money laundering and terrorism financing.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) listens to a speech by United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi (R) during the inauguration of the newly built floating solar power plant on the water that can generate 192 mega watts of peak electricity in cooperation between the Indonesian government and Masdar from the UAE, at Cirata Reservoir, West Java, on November 9, 2023. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP) (Photo by BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images)

Interview

G42-Microsoft partnership in Kenya 'just the beginning,' says UAE trade minister

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi discusses momentum in UAE trade with the US, the benefits of economic diversification and Africa’s priority in UAE trade policy.

Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi

Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade

European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen and Egypt president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi pictured during a diplomatic meeting on March 17, 2024, in Cairo, Egypt.

Egypt looks set to secure $1.1B EU loan to boost economic recovery

The latest injection is part of a larger two-proposal package from the 27-state bloc to help the North African country's struggling economy.

A general view of the city skyline at sunset from Dhow Harbour, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 5, 2015.

Analysis

Is Abu Dhabi Global Market poised to rival world’s leading financial hubs?

The Abu Dhabi Global Market, an international free zone in the heart of the UAE capital, is attracting global companies and investors as it looks to become one of the world's leading financial hubs.

Vanessa Ghanem

By Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES -UNSPECIFIED: In this image released on November 3,2022, Tiësto behind-the-scenes filming the music video for new track 10:35 at Dubais newest luxury icon, Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Cedric Ribeiro/Getty Images for Atlantis Dubai)

Dubai, Tel Aviv most expensive for expats in MidEast as Tunis, Ankara rank least

Tunis, Algiers and Ankara have a relatively low cost of living for international workers, according to a survey by the consulting firm Mercer.

United Arab Emirates

A Qatar Airways plane takes off from Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, Feb. 12, 2022.

RwandAir CEO says Qatar Airways could acquire 49% stake in July

For the past five years, Qatar and Rwanda have been working on a deal that would see Qatar Airways take a 49% stake in RwandAir for an undisclosed fee.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev review the honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey on Feb. 19, 2020.

Analysis

Why Uzbekistan is increasingly looking to Turkey, Saudi Arabia for investment

Tashkent is trying to diversify energy sources and bring in fresh foreign investment, turning to both Turkey and Saudi Arabia to accomplish this.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Brazil's Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira de Oliveira speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas, on March 19, 2024.

Saudi Arabia holds investment summit in Brazil, plans to invest $15B

Brazil’s energy minister said Saudi Arabia plans to invest $15 billion in the South American country, bolstering already strong economic relations based largely on mining, meat and oil.

Giorgia Meloni was received at the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. (WAM)

UAE, Saudi leaders expected at Italy's G7 summit as Meloni boosts Gulf ties

Italy is seeking Saudi investments and closer gas ties with the UAE, all while it focuses on migration and energy-related interests in North Africa.

An Egyptian man drives a tuk-tuk (motorised rickshaw) in the al-Khalifa district of Egypt's capital Cairo on January 11, 2023. - With Egypt's economy in crisis, the currency in freefall and inflation skyrocketing, the poor have been hit hard but the middle class is also teetering on the brink. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt's year-on-year inflation drops below 30% in first since January

The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced that Egypt’s inflation rate has maintained its downturn for the fourth consecutive month, dropping to 28.15% in May from 32.54% in April.