US Senate approves repeal of Caesar Act sanctions on Syria: What to know The 2019 Caesar Act imposed sweeping sanctions on Syria to hold the government accountable for human rights abuses committed during the country’s civil war. Syria
Saudi investment minister visits Morocco, Senegal on Africa trade drive Saudi Arabia has pledged more than $41 billion in investment in sub-Saharan Africa over the next decade. Saudi Arabia
Iran, Russia, Central Asia states ink Caspian Sea pact, plan naval drills The navies of Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening security in the Caspian Sea basin as the four countries deepen their relations. Iran
World Bank ups Middle East 2025 economic outlook as oil, tourism rebound The lender expects gross domestic product growth in the region to average 2.8% this year, up from its April forecast of 2.6%. Iran
Egypt raises interest rates for first time since 2017 Inflation and bread prices have risen significantly in Egypt recently, and Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also raised their rates. Egypt
Jihadi group raises prices in Syria’s Idlib as war rages in Ukraine While some believe the Russian war on Ukraine has upped prices in northwest Syria, others accuse Hayat Tahrir al-Sham of exploiting the crisis to make gains. Syria
Israel implements some but not all sanctions against Russian oligarchs Israel’s leadership said that the country will not enable Russian oligarchs to bypass Western sanctions, but at the same time it did not commit clearly to adopt all the sanctions. Israel
Saudi GDP grew 3.2% in 2021, highest in seven years Saudi economic progress includes growth in the non-oil sector, as foreign direct investment moves more slowly. Saudi Arabia
Israel unhappy over unregulated cryptocurrency trade Israeli authorities are demanding the international crypto stock-exchange Binance to explain unregulated digital currency trade in the country. Israel
Saudi-US business forum to focus on defense, artificial intelligence Saudi Arabia is looking to diversify its economy, but some in the United States want less cooperation with the Gulf state due to human rights concerns. By Al-Monitor Staff
Egypt charts middle diplomatic course in Ukraine war Cairo voted in favor of the US-backed UN resolution condemning the Russian invasion, but is not shutting down ties with Moscow. Egypt
Israeli President set for first official visit to Turkey in 15 years Israeli President Isaac Herzog visits Ankara on March 9. Israel
Ukraine calls on Egypt to support it, abandon neutrality Ruslan Nechai, charge d'affairs of Kyiv's embassy in Cairo, calls on Egypt and countries in the region to support it with weapons, fuel and financial and humanitarian aid, and abandon the position of "neutrality" regarding the Russian invasion. Egypt
How Ukraine crisis undermines Turkey's economic program Ankara’s economic program has hit a deadlock under the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, marked by a stream of fuel hikes, canceled tourism bookings and textile orders, and shortage fears in the food sector. Turkey
Analysis Israel’s trade with Ukraine, Russia to be affected by conflict Israel fears that the ongoing conflict could negatively affect trade with both Russia and Ukraine, in high tech, but perhaps also on wheat, coal and diamonds. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Fitch upgrades Omantel’s credit rating, citing high oil prices, reforms The leading Omani telecommunications company has grown its customer base and agreed to sell its towers to a British firm, but a new cell service provider in the Gulf state could provide some competition. Legacy: Gulf
