Economy and trade

US President Donald Trump (R) meets with Jordanian King Abdullah II in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, Feb. 11, 2025.

Analysis

Jordan shores up US lifelines as Iran targets Amman’s reliance on Washington

Already a leading recipient of US aid, Jordan has secured fresh funds from the United States as the Iran war tests Amman and Washington's partnerships.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

US stock markets soar to new records amid Hormuz deal hopes

The S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average are on track for their best five-day performance since April 2025.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L), Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (2nd L) and Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi (R) attend a meeting in Muscat, Oman, on June 22, 2026.

Explainer

Iran-Oman Hormuz route talks near 'completion': What to know

The new framework would give Iran a greater role in managing one of the world’s most strategically important maritime choke points.

JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon’s Riad Salameh hospitalized as arrest roils Beirut: What to know

Lebanon's former Central Bank governor, Riad Salameh, was taken from prison to a hospital over his deteriorating health.

Latest News

Saudi Arabia's economy shrinks by 4.8% amid Iran war: What to know

Fayez Nureldine / AFP via Getty Images

Zaidi to meet Erdogan as Turkey-Iraq ties take off, Kurds feel sidelined

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (not pictured) at the Pentagon on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia.

Oil falls 9.5% in steepest drop in months as Iran, US pause attacks

AMIRHOSSEIN KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Saudi airlines outbuy Gulf rivals at Farnborough air show: What to know

Spectators look on as an A350-1000 by the European plane maker Airbus takes off on the second day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, Farnborough, July 21, 2026.

United Arab Emirates

Muslim devotees take part in a rally to celebrate Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, which marks the birth anniversary of the Prophet Mohammad, in Karachi on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan, Gulf Cooperation Council sign 'preliminary' free trade agreement

When the final trade deal comes into effect, it will likely be the GCC's first since 2009.

A man monitors the board at the Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 12, 2019.

Analysis

Saudi Arabia fastest growing crypto economy globally amid regional drive

The kingdom led globally with a 12% increase in crypto transaction volume reaching nearly $31 billion from July 2022 through June 2023, according to an industry report released Tuesday.

By Salim A. Essaid

Gold bar wrapped in a financial newspaper.

Russia becomes UAE’s top gold supplier as Ukraine sanctions bite

The United Arab Emirates bought 96.4 tons of gold from Russia in 2022, making it Moscow's top gold importer.

United Arab Emirates

UAE trade minister

UAE eyes Serbia trade deal as CEPA blitz continues

Non-oil trade between the two countries reached $57.6 million in the first half of 2023, surpassing their entire non-oil trade value for the year 2020.

United Arab Emirates

WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images

China’s Alibaba to invest $2 billion in Turkey

The news follows economic changes in Turkey as well as improving ties between Turkey and China.

This image shows high-rise buildings in Dubai, on Feb. 18, 2023.

Dubai ranks first in luxury home sales in second quarter: report

Dubai was one of only four markets to see growth in its overall sales volume of luxury homes between Q2 2022 and Q2 2023 at 79%, along with Sydney (46%), Paris (17%) and Geneva (7%).

United Arab Emirates

Captagon

Dubai's $1 billion Captagon bust ranks as one of world’s biggest

Sales of the highly addictive stimulant continue to fund the Syrian government, despite regional efforts to break up smuggling rings.

United Arab Emirates

Interview

Fintech, digital sukuk could spur Islamic finance growth in Middle East

The Gulf has seen a boom in funding for fintech startups, more than quadrupling from $200 million in 2020 to $885 million last year.

Mohamed Damak

Mohamed Damak

Global Head of Islamic Finance at S&P

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hand with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi on September 9, 2023. (Photo by Evan Vucci / POOL / AFP) (Photo by EVAN VUCCI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

MBS and Modi discuss expanding trade goals as Saudi-India ties grow

The two leaders attended the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council where they convened on various fields of cooperation and reviewed regional and international topics of mutual interest.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (L), India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) and US President Joe Biden attend a session as part of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sept. 9, 2023.

Analysis

India's economic corridor to Europe via Saudi, UAE: a win for US, West Asia

In reflection of the emerging multipolar world, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi aim to transform their bilateral relations with Washington, Brussels, and Delhi into multidimensional partnerships by joining the IMEC, with energy serving as a core pillar but not the sole one.

Mohammed Soliman

By Mohammed Soliman

In Washington, DC, reporting on Gulf politics

The Telegraph newspaper

Qatari investors in talks with Daily Mail owner to buy rival newspaper group

The influential Telegraph Media Group, which will come up for auction in a few weeks, has strong links to the ruling Conservative government.

Saudi Defense Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 will benefit Islamic finance sector, says Moody’s

The kingdom has the largest Islamic banking market in the world, and roughly 83% of its total assets are Sharia-compliant.