Suez Canal traffic soars as Hormuz disruptions reroute energy trade The canal generated $419 million in revenue in April, up 27% year over year. Egypt
Syria says Iraqi oil shipments surge as Damascus courts foreign energy investment Speaking at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Washington on Tuesday, Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Yousef Qiblawy said Iraq's overland oil exports through Syria have expanded rapidly in recent months. Syria
Explainer Saudi Arabia, Turkey advance plans to revive historic Hejaz Railway Turkish and Saudi officials signed agreements as part of a Turkish push to revive the Hejaz Railway linking Turkey to the Gulf through Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Turkey
Analysis Turkey pushes Iraq, Syria trade routes as Hormuz crisis disrupts Gulf shipping Turkey is using the Hormuz crisis to promote Iraq- and Syria-based Gulf-Europe corridors, but experts say the routes remain too costly, underbuilt and politically fragile to rival maritime shipping. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Why Turkey sees opportunity in Hormuz crisis to boost Middle Corridor By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Lebanon implements ration card program as economic crisis worsens The Lebanese parliament approved a law to fund ration cards for the most vulnerable families, while ending subsidies. Lebanon
King Abdullah to be first Arab head of state to meet with Biden King Abdullah will visit Washington for the first time in two years and is to meet with US President Joe Biden on July 19. Jordan
Egypt-Turkey economic ties so far unaffected by political differences Despite the ongoing political differences between Egypt and Turkey, Cairo remains Ankara’s largest trading partner in the African continent. Egypt
Will high oil prices setback Gulf reforms? Push harder or take a breath on economic reforms? The question can be tricky for Gulf rulers Legacy: Gulf
Egypt anticipates gains from expanding economic ties with Iraq Egypt, Iraq and Jordan are working to establish an alliance to boost cooperation in various economic fields. Egypt
Islamic State exploits economic downturn in Iraq, Syria, US envoy says John Godfrey said the thousands of suspected Islamic State fighters held in northeast Syria constitute a security threat to the region. Syria
Lebanon's parliament backs $556M cash subsidy As Lebanon grapples with an economic crisis, qualifying families would receive up to $137 per month to help cover basic goods. News Brief
Iraq hosts historic summit with Jordanian, Egyptian leaders The visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to Baghdad is the first by an Egyptian head of state since 1990. Iraq
Egypt looks to Islamic bond market for foreign investment boost Egypt’s sovereign bonds bill paves the way for Egypt to join the Islamic finance market, allowing foreign investment in national projects such as the Suez Canal and Aswan Dam, which affects Egyptian national security. Egypt
Iraq automates its customs service to reduce corruption at border crossings The Iraqi government has taken several new initiatives to fight corruption, from automating border crossings, arresting corrupt figures and imposing restrictions on the economic interests of militias and political parties. Iraq
Emirates loses more than $5 billion in 2020 The Dubai-based airline's financial struggles amid the coronavirus pandemic has led to job cuts and a massive cash injection from the government. News Brief
Iran's presidential hopefuls promise big on economy, but can they deliver? While candidates for the election this Friday have a long list of promises to fix the economy, inefficiencies in Iran's political structure limit the president's ability to make lasting change. Iran
