Yemeni ministries declare support for STC campaign as Gulf tensions flare Yemen's Saudi-backed government criticized the statements in support of the Southern Transitional Council, which is supported by the UAE, as Gulf states deliberate on how to move forward. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi The Gulf’s top financial hubs have posted another strong year in 2025, with the UAE spearheading a regional push to attract hedge funds, asset managers, crypto and fintech firms as regional neighbors target growth of their own. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
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
Analysis Iran’s FM Araghchi in Moscow as biting sanctions drive closer Russia ties By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Israel announces 3,000 new Gaza work permits The additional work permits for Gazans follows several Israeli measures aimed at easing border restrictions. Israel
EU looks to boost Syrian businesses in Turkey Many Syrian refugees are working in Turkey without work permits, and the European Union is trying to support their small businesses. Syria
Tunisia’s political crisis forewarns economic collapse Economists are sounding the alarm about a possible economic collapse in Tunisia, urging for reforms to revive the economy that had been suffering since 2011 amid political instability. Tunisia
US to give $67 million to Lebanon’s military as violence erupts in Beirut The Lebanese army deployed in the streets of the capital after at least six people were shot dead during violent protests. Lebanon
Ankara looks other way as money flows to tax havens A Turkish law passed in 2006 to tackle money transfers to tax havens remains inapplicable on the ground due to Ankara’s failure to name the countries it considers as tax havens. Turkey
Egypt seeks Brazil’s support in Nile dam dispute After Brazil was elected a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council, Brazilian support for Egypt in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis gained momentum. Egypt
Iran offers big promises to help rebuild Lebanese economy Meeting one Lebanese official after another, Iran's top diplomat announced substantial pledges for Lebanon's energy crisis, as foreign players are jostling each other for influence in the Arab country. Iran
Fragile Israeli government braces for chill as Knesset winter term begins The Knesset’s winter session, which opened yesterday, is expected to test the precarious coalition of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Israel
Iran's foreign minister says economy won’t be tied to nuclear talks Iran’s new foreign minister said the country is serious about the nuclear talks but wants seriousness from the other side as well. Iran
Saudi-linked SoftBank invests heavily in Israel The investment of SoftBank in Israel and the appointment of former Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen as its representative in the country might signal Saudi interests in Israeli technology. Israel
Turkish lira drops to near record lows after Central Bank trims policy rate The move came following pressure from the Turkish president. Turkey
Lebanon raises fuel prices again The Lebanese government previously subsidized fuel prices amid the country's worsening economic crisis. Lebanon
