Starlink targets Saudi skies as Musk’s Middle East push rolls on The satellite internet service operated by SpaceX had been on an expansion spree in the Middle East in 2025, most recently launching in Israel as it also targets a deal with Saudi Arabia's national airline. Saudi Arabia
UAE president heads to Russia to meet Putin as ties grow: What to know UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan is heading to Moscow on Thursday for an official visit, his second in less than a year as Russian-Emirati relations continue to develop rapidly. United Arab Emirates
UAE, Azerbaijan sign trade deal as officials meet in Abu Dhabi for Armenia peace talks The deal is expected to contribute around $680 million to the UAE’s gross domestic product by 2031, according to UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. United Arab Emirates
Iran FM visits Saudi Arabia as kingdom makes push for regional diplomacy The meeting in Mecca comes as Saudi Arabia steps up its diplomatic engagement with key global powers with the aim of managing regional tensions. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Gulf bets on LNG boom power ahead amid regional energy shifts, war risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Interview Former French PM says Trump has ‘immense opportunity’ in Mideast Dominique de Villepin Former French prime minister
EU commission removes UAE, adds Lebanon and Algeria to money laundering list: What to know United Arab Emirates
Analysis 2023 in review: The year Saudi Arabia became sports superpower The kingdom has been laying the groundwork to become a sporting leader for decades, but this year marked a turning point as investment ramped up. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi PIF ups investment in China’s Alibaba-backed tech fund eWTP Arabia Capital invests in energy and technology start-ups across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Saudi Arabia
Kuwait, Qatar, UAE telecoms merge assets into $2.2B tower company Three Gulf companies will create a new entity, which has not yet been publicly named, combining around 30,000 tower assets in Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Tunisia. Legacy: Gulf
Italy and Saudi Arabia in talks for major deals as ties grow under Meloni The government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which came into power in October 2022, has been working to deepen ties with energy- and cash-rich states in the Middle East and North Africa. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia to sign more than $500M in deals with African countries Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih said the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, will make some “game changing” investments in Africa. Saudi Arabia
What the Gulf states new unified visa means for Saudi, UAE, other citizens The new Schengen-like visa — allowing seamless travel between members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — will be introduced during 2024-25. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia's oil cuts weigh heavy on economy, GDP tanks by 4.5% The kingdom's economy shrunk by the most since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 due to energy measures. Saudi Arabia
Italy's FM in Saudi Arabia to talk energy partnerships, investments as ties grow The far-right government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has worked to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia projects $21 billion deficit as economy diversifies from oil The kingdom was among the world’s fastest-growing economies last year with almost 9% GDP growth after a petrodollar boom amid a global rise in energy prices due to inflation and the Ukraine war. Saudi Arabia
Pakistan, Gulf Cooperation Council sign 'preliminary' free trade agreement When the final trade deal comes into effect, it will likely be the GCC's first since 2009. Legacy: Gulf
Blinken defends Iran prisoner swap at meeting with Gulf counterparts The US secretary of state also touted the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, seen as competition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, ahead of the discussion with Gulf Cooperation Council member states. Legacy: Gulf
UAE trade offensive continues, this time with New Zealand deal The UAE is looking to secure its sixth trade agreement of the year as it increases its non-oil trade globally, with intentions to reach $1.09 billion by 2031. United Arab Emirates
