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

YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Invest Qatar sees big role for logistics sector, World Cup spurred investments

The Gulf country ranks seventh globally in logistics competence in Agility's Emerging Markets Logistics Index as the Qatar Free Zones Authority brings in top companies in the sector.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar National Bank says GCC banks have more liquidity than global rivals

An executive at the Qatari lender said that Gulf countries will have to compete with the rest of the world for billions of dollars in equity to finance infrastructure projects, of which there is a higher demand than supply.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) is escorted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was killed on July 8, 2022, during their meeting in Osaka, Japan, June 30, 2019.

Culture

Despite postponement of MBS' visit, Saudi-Japanese ties on upswing

The increase in high-level visits and overall mutual visits has been the most notable aspect of the development of Saudi-Japanese relations in recent years.

The Sudanese (L) and Saudi flag are seeing flying on the tarmac during a joint Sudan and Saudi Arabia air force drill at the Marwa air base, near Meroe some 350 kilometres north of Khartoum, on April 9, 2017.

Analysis

Can Gulf investors outstrip China in Africa as UAE expands reach?

As the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC states boost investments in Africa,Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative could face serious challenges.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

United Arab Emirates' President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (L), South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol (C), and his wife Kim Keon Hee (R) watch the Black Eagles, the aerobatic team of T-50 jets belonging to South Korea's air force, during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Office in Seoul on May 29, 2024. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

South Korea, UAE ink trade deal lifting tariffs on over 90% of imports

The agreement was signed by ministers at a summit in the capital Seoul during the UAE president's first state visit.

United Arab Emirates

Axel Baroux

Interview

Saudi Expo 2030 to offer major opportunities for French businesses, says official

In November, the Saudi capital won the right to host the Expo 2030 world trade fair that is expected to attract around 40 million visitors and billions of dollars of inward investment.

Axel Baroux

Axel Baroux

French Trade and Invest Commissioner for the UAE and Middle East

India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, and his Saudi Arabia counterpart and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) shake hands during a session of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sept. 9, 2023.

Analysis

Gaza war complicates IMEC plans even as Gulf-India ties warm

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor's progress is facing some difficulties related to geopolitical complexities, funding and conflicts in the Red Sea and Gaza.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Goldman Sachs first Wall Street bank to get green light for Saudi Arabia HQ

The US-headquartered investment bank received a license from the Saudi Ministry of Investment to set up its regional headquarters in the capital, Riyadh.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 17: U. S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a meeting with Japan's Minister of Finance Shun'ichi Suzuki and South Korea's Minister of Economy and Finance Sangmok Choi at the Treasury Department on April 17, 2024. Yellen cautioned on Tuesday that the U.S is poised to escalate sanctions against Iran in response to its recent assault on Israel. (Photo by Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images)

Yellen warns Israel against blocking Palestinian banks, battering West Bank

Israel has been threatening to cancel a vital waiver that expires July 1 between Israeli and Palestinian banks that allows Israeli banks to process shekel payments for vital services and PA salaries.

CAMILLE LAFFONT/AFP via Getty Images

UAE's ADNOC invests in Mozambique's natural gas in first African foray

The deal will give ADNOC a share of the liquified natural gas output from the concession, which has a combined capacity of over 25 million metric tons per pear, the company said in a statement.

United Arab Emirates

SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT - FEBRUARY 24: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia during talks with UK Prime Minister Theresa May while they attend the first Arab-European Summit on February 24, 2019 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Leaders from European and Arab nations are meeting for the two-day summit to discuss topics including security, trade and migration. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Saudi crown prince cancels Japan trip over King Salman's health concerns

The Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday that the crown prince’s 88-year-old father, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, was suffering from lung inflammation and will be treated at the Al Salam Palace in Jeddah.

People look at a BYD Seal car by Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD Auto at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Nonthaburi, March 27, 2024.

Turkey-China in 'advanced' talks on EV manufacturing as Beijing footprint grows

Turkey and the Gulf states are aggressively pursuing electric vehicles with entities eyeing cooperation with China.