Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat A ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October has prompted some shipping companies to consider resuming services, but security concerns persist. Yemen
Analysis How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal The Israeli prime minister's frustration with Trump administration strong-arming continues, with pressure to sign Egypt gas deal and now a reported push for Sisi meeting. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel's Netanyahu approves $35B natural gas megadeal with Egypt Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel will sell Egypt natural gas worth $35 billion, in the biggest-ever deal of its kind for the country. Israel
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. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Exclusive Inside Netanyahu’s pressure campaign to block Turkey, Saudi Arabia from acquiring F-35s By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Tunisia import restrictions to hinder trade with EU European and Tunisian economic observers are concerned over new technical measures for clearing imports into Tunisia that could limit imports that support Tunisia’s industries and trade. North Africa
Kuwait benefits from oil price boom but long-term economic challenges loom Key reforms and a lack of a diversified economy remain only two of Kuwait's major challenges. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt, Israel seek to boost trade exchange following COP27 Israel offered Egypt to develop rice cultivation using the latest technologies and curb the water shortage crisis in Cairo, within the framework of the two countries’ efforts to increase trade exchange. Egypt
Egypt, US, Germany launch plan to reduce methane emissions The COP27 initiative seeks to accelerate Egypt's green energy transition. Egypt
Culture Economic meltdown in Lebanon leaves schoolchildren hungry Lebanon's struggling households are finding it increasingly challenging to afford school lunches for their children due to financial constraints. Lebanon
Egypt’s Banque Misr receives loan from African Development Bank, China The loan could help Egyptian startups and comes amid Egypt’s ongoing economic crisis. Egypt
Will Iraq's new government reconsider dinar exchange rate? A number of leaders of the Coordination Framework, the bloc leading the new Iraqi government, are pushing to increase the value of the dinar in an attempt to support the poor — yet some argue the measure could backfire. Iraq
Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition could upend Israeli democracy Incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a dangerous deal with far-right and religious radical partners who are sure to undercut Israeli's democratic institutions. Israel
Gulf banks raise interest rates in response to the Fed, Kuwait stays put Saudi Arabia could be in store for a liquidity crunch, according to a leading credit rating agency. Kuwait has a history of not following the trend on interest rates. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia offers green bonds in push toward net zero While the move signals that the kingdom understands the global trends toward "green," its impact on climate action will require further steps. Legacy: Gulf
Can floating Egyptian pound kill foreign currency black market? Egypt's latest flotation of its currency may rein in its thriving foreign currency black market, but economists cannot see an end to this market in the near future. Egypt
Informal ties grow between Israel, Saudi Arabia With the current rift between Washington and Riyadh, every baby step in informal relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia counts. Israel