Crypto crash collides with UAE’s big bet on digital assets After hitting record highs in 2025, Bitcoin’s sell-off is roiling global markets and making waves in the UAE. United Arab Emirates
Merz courts Gulf as Germany seeks energy alternatives to US, China Berlin is seeking to capitalize on ties with Gulf energy giants as relations with the United States have cooled amid strains over transatlantic defense commitments, Washington’s pursuit of Greenland and tariffs. Qatar
Gulf markets recover after gold rout, buoyed by Iran de-escalation hopes Saudi Arabia’s benchmark stock index, TASI, rose 1.4%, a day after falling the most in nearly 10 months amid a broad sell-off in the commodities market. United Arab Emirates
Analysis As envoys recalled, what's driving Israel-South Africa rupture? South Africa has expelled the Israeli charge d'affaires, deepening the diplomatic crisis between the two countries. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Saudi Arabia downsizes megaprojects, chases cash amid AI push By Samuel Wendel , Jack Dutton
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
Turkey’s economy up 11%, but growth brings risk Turkey’s flashy growth rate in 2021 has been accompanied by a dangerous uptick in inflation and appears bound to drop sharply this year. Turkey
