Economy and trade

TATYANA MAKEYEVA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran’s FM Araghchi in Moscow as biting sanctions drive closer Russia ties

The economic agenda of the meetings in Moscow and Tehran reflected a deliberate effort by both governments to signal momentum in a partnership increasingly shaped by isolation from the West.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II (R) meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jordan, on Dec. 16, 2025.

India’s Modi eyes closer ties with Jordan, Oman during visits

Modi’s two-day visit to Jordan made investments and economic cooperation a central piece of the talks with Amman.

Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib speaking at the Egyptian-Qatari Investment Forum in Cairo, Egypt on Dec. 14, 2025 (State Information Service)

Egypt secures Qatari investment boost, launches first SCZONE industrial deal

Bilateral trade between the two countries rose to $143 million during the first 10 months of 2025.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (L) talks to U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Exclusive

Inside Netanyahu’s pressure campaign to block Turkey, Saudi Arabia from acquiring F-35s

On Dec. 1, Netanyahu met in his Jerusalem office with Frank St. John, chief operating officer of Lockheed Martin, lead contractor for the F-35's production.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Latest News

UAE, Russia host first joint business forum despite Ukraine war sanctions

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan walk at the Kremlin following their talks in Moscow on August 7, 2025. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Russian leak signals Su-35s for Iran moving to production: What to know

Russian Sukhoi Su-35S fighter aircrafts, Su-34 military fighter jets and Su-30SM jet fighters fly over downtown Moscow during a military parade on June 24, 2020.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

What role is Jordan playing in Syria's reconstruction?

An aerial view shows the destruction across Yarmouk camp, Damascus, Syria, on Nov. 8, 2025.

Iran currency dips to new low of 1.2M per dollar as sanctions bite: What to know

currency exchange in Tehran

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (L) greets Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on December 23, 2014 in Beijing, China.

Analysis

Chinese panda bonds present opportunity for cash-strapped Egypt

With this agreement with the African Development Bank, Egypt is the first African country to issue bonds in Chinese currency that are placed in the domestic market of mainland China.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) welcomes Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) during an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on November 24, 2021. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Turkey-UAE honeymoon on horizon after Erdogan's win, economic deals

The UAE-Turkey $40 billion trade agreement ratified in May is an expression of the friendship between the two countries’ leaders, according to experts.

By Salim A. Essaid

Egypt Sisi

Analysis

Egypt: Sisi's Africa tour highlights GERD, economic, climate change challenges

Sisi visited Angola, Zambia and Mozambique this week, demonstrating the continued importance Egypt places on political, economic and security ties with southern Africa and the continent as a whole.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

A man rows a stand-up paddle flying an Israeli flag near a sailing boat and a yacht in the Mediterranean sea off the coast of Tel Aviv on April 26, 2023, as Israel marks Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut), 75 years since the establishment of the Jewish state. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel advances EastMed undersea electricity cable connecting with Europe

In Paris meetings with international bodies, Energy Minister Israel Katz is promoting Israel's plans for a subsea electricity cable that would connect to other countries in the region and Europe.

MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

MBS holds call with Putin, talks oil prices as Blinken visits Saudi Arabia

The IMF projected that Saudi Arabia’s economic growth will slow to 2.1% in 2023 from its 3.1% forecast in May, after the kingdom cut more oil production on Sunday.

Activists for the independence of the Western Sahara wave flags and banners reading "Sahara: Only Pace!" during an annual protest organised by the state coordinator of associations of solidarity with the Sahara in Madrid on November 11, 2016 marking the 4th anniversary of the tripartite Madrid agreements demonstrators deem illegal. - The Western Sahara is a territory bordered by Morocco and Algeria and disputed by Spain and Morocco who both claiming sovereignty. (Photo by GERARD JULIEN / AFP) (Photo by GERA

Analysis

One year on, Algeria-Spain blockade shows little sign of easing

Since Algeria imposed trade sanctions on Spain on June 8, 2022, both economies have lost out on billions of dollars in business.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Anti-Judicial overhaul demonstrators protest against the arrival of Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, outside the OECD headquarters, June 7 2023

Israel’s Smotrich met with protests in France, vows to continue judicial reform

At the OECD ministerial meeting in Paris, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich dismissed warnings in the organization's economic report that the judicial overhaul will hurt Israel’s economy.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, June 5, 2023.

Analysis

Venezuela's Maduro visit to Saudi Arabia is another signal to US

Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Relations Yvan Gil said Monday that cooperation projects in oil and gas, petrochemicals and infrastructure were addressed in Jeddah.

By Salim A. Essaid

Jihad Azour, director of the Middle East and Central Asia at the International Monetary Fund, gives an interview at Dubai's International Financial Center, on May 1, 2018, in Dubai.

Meet Lebanon's Jihad Azour, Christian opposition candidate for president

After months of deadlock, Lebanon’s main Christian parties and opposition converged on the name of Jihad Azour, director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia office and a former finance minister, as their preferential candidate for the presidency.

Saudi China

Analysis

Saudi Arabia set to host major China business conference as ties grow

The kingdom wants to diversify its economic partnerships and values China with regards to energy and geopolitics, according to one expert.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

A dog stands in the Great Court of the Temple of Karnak, Luxor, Egypt, Jan. 17, 2022.

Culture

Egyptians are abandoning their pets as cost of living shoots up

Many Egyptians have been forced to abandon their pets due to the rapid increase in the cost of living.

This photo taken on May 27, 2023 shows customers in a cryptocurrency exchange office in Hong Kong. Retail investors in Hong Kong may soon be able to buy popular cryptocurrencies like bitcoin at government-licensed exchanges, thanks to new rules meant to bolster the city's standing as a digital asset hub. (Photo by Peter PARKS / AFP) / TO GO WITH HongKong-China-economy-Cryptocurrency,FOCUS by Holmes CHAN (Photo by PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE to cooperate with Hong Kong on fintech, crypto as China ties grow

China’s relations with the UAE and other Gulf states are strengthening, particularly regarding economic and energy matters.