GCC Relations

JPMorgan

JPMorgan to reclassify Qatar, Kuwait as developed markets: What it means

JPMorgan’s Global Index Research team said that Qatar and Kuwait will be removed from the Emerging Markets Bond Index starting from March 31.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (L) and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) host the Qatari emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Tehran, Feb. 19, 2025.

Why is Iran urging Qatar to release $6B in frozen oil payments?

The payments, by South Korea for Iranian oil, were initially frozen in Seoul bank accounts in 2019, after the Trump administration increased sanctions on Iran, before transfer to Qatar.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (L) walks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Feb. 18, 2025.

Analysis

Qatar to invest $10 billion in India as trade ties expand beyond energy

The announcement came as Qatar's emir wrapped up a two-day state visit to India.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Zelenskyy

UAE, Ukraine finalize trade deal during Zelenskyy's visit

The agreement is expected to contribute $369 million to the UAE’s GDP and $874 million to Ukraine’s GDP by 2031.

United Arab Emirates

Latest News

Analysis

Fearing Iran's gains, Jordan & Egypt instability, Gulf states try to counter Trump's Gaza plan

Republican presidential nominee, former US President Donald Trump, speaks during an Oct. 7 remembrance event.

Giorgio Cafiero

By Giorgio Cafiero

At Dubai summit, Syrian FM expresses interest in Baghdad visit

Shaibani

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector grows at fastest rate in over a decade

This picture shows a construction site for Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in Riyadh, on April 16, 2023.

Analysis

Italy revamps ties with Saudi Arabia, eyeing investments and defense trade

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in AlUla, Saudi Arabia January 26, 2025. Saudi Press Agency

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

INTERNATIONAL WATERS RED SEA, YEMEN - NOVEMBER 20: This handout screen grab captured from a video shows Yemen's Houthi fighters' takeover of the Galaxy Leader Cargo in the Red Sea coast off Hudaydah, on November 20, 2023 in the Red Sea, Yemen. On Monday, the Houthi movement in Yemen released footage and photos of the Houthi-run coastguard taking over the Israeli-linked Galaxy Leader Vessel in the Red Sea, which had 52 people onboard. Galaxy Leader is owned by Galaxy Maritime Ltd in the Isle of Man and is li

Analysis

How will Trump's terrorist designation of Houthis impact Red Sea attacks?

Oil trade via the Houthi-controlled Bab el-Mandeb strait decreased by 50% after the Yemeni rebels launched maritime attacks, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan attends a session on the closing day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on Jan. 19, 2024.

Exclusive

Saudi finance minister hints kingdom could meet 2030 renewables target early

On Monday, the kingdom commissioned its largest battery energy storage system to its grid, with a capacity of 500 megawatts and the ability to store 2,000 megawatt hours of electricity.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, March 20, 2018.

In first Trump call, Saudi crown prince says trade with US could hit $600B

US President Donald Trump spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his first phone call to a foreign leader after his inauguration on Jan. 20.

Saudi's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud attends the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Kuwait City, Kuwait, Dec. 26, 2024.

Saudi FM set to travel to Lebanon, will press Beirut for 'real reform'

Prince Faisal said he would meet Lebanon's new leadership to gauge potential for Saudi investment and noted that Trump's reelection lessened the prospect of war in the region

Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi visited Abu Dhabi and met with Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed on Jan 8.

Analysis

By hosting Taliban FM, UAE seeks to expand influence in Afghanistan

Abu Dhabi plans to invest up to $400 million in Afghanistan and upgrade the Central Asian country's consulate in Dubai.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

The destroyed grain silos and a sculpture made from salvaged steel following the explosion stand in the port of Beirut as the sun sets on Lebanon, Jan. 11, 2024.

Analysis

Eyeing reconstruction, port investment, UAE resets Lebanon ties

A weakened Hezbollah and a new government in Beirut give room for the Emirates to play a big role, politically and economically, in Lebanon.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

A view of Trump Tower in New York City, on Jan. 13, 2023.

UAE's Dar Global to enter US property market after partnering with Trump Organization

Dar Global has agreed to a string of real estate deals with the Trump Organization, the company founded and owned by US President-elect Donald Trump.

United Arab Emirates

Hadath

Syrian delegation visits Saudi Arabia in first post-Assad trip: What we know

Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani is on his first foreign visit to Riyadh less than a month since Bashar al-Assad's fall, received by senior Saudi officials including the foreign and defense ministers.

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

From BRICS to dwindling oil revenues, 2024 was mixed year for Gulf

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, big international investment deals, low oil revenue and increased curtailing of democratic rights dominated Gulf politics and economy in 2024

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Emiratis wave national flags as citizens celebrate their country's 40 years of independence on National Day, in Abu Dhabi, on Dec. 2, 2011.

Analysis

Gulf’s citizenship industry poised for growth amid new global uncertainty

Flexible visa programs have emerged in the Middle East, fueled by wealthy Gulf states competing to attract foreign investors and skilled professionals as part of their economic diversification strategies.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images

UAE Middle East's most economically competitive country in 2024: IMD

In the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, the UAE climbed three places to seventh in the world, out of 67 countries. Saudi Arabia ranked at 16th, Bahrain at 21st, Kuwait at 37th, Jordan at 48th and Turkey at 53rd.

United Arab Emirates

People chant slogans and wave flags in celebration after performing the first Friday prayer since the fall of the Assad regime at the Umayyad Mosque on Dec. 13, 2024 in Damascus, Syria.

Gulf states reach out to new Syrian leaders ahead of Jordan talks: What we know

Bahrain's King Hamad sent a letter to HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, while the UAE has held direct contact with opposition groups. Qatar is set to reopen embassy in Damascus soon.