Abu Dhabi merges ADQ into new wealth fund L'IMAD: What to know Under the new structure, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, will oversee a broader swath of the emirate’s investment holdings. United Arab Emirates
Saudi defense chief visits White House as Riyadh wary of Iran strike The visit is occurring as the Pentagon amasses an armada off Iran and the United States continues to threaten to strike the Islamic Republic militarily. Saudi Arabia
UAE launches sovereign open-source AI model K2 Think: What to know The Gulf state is one of the few countries in the world developing its own sovereign open-source AI model to counter the dominance of the United States and China in the sector. United Arab Emirates
Thousands rally for South Yemen independence amid Saudi diplomatic push Large protests called for southern independence in Yemen on Friday, reflecting persistent support for the separatists despite the Saudi-backed government’s efforts to quash the separatist movement. Yemen
Sudan’s military leader turns to UAE to shore up authority Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan made his first official visit to Abu Dhabi mainly a search for economic assistance, but the dubious outcome of his trip has sparked controversy at home. Egypt
Iran on the agenda as Qatar emir meets Biden There is potential Doha could play a role in brokering a US-Iran prisoner exchanging following press reports of Iran-Qatar talks on the topic. Qatar
The Takeaway: Kuwait takes lead in Gulf effort to solve Lebanon crisis Egypt, Iran, Iraq water crises; China and the Horn of Africa; Turkish pop queen under fire; Egypt’s Temple of Millions; and more … in less than 1,300 words. Lebanon
Gulf foreign ministers, GCC chief visit China for talks GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf said the five days of meetings will "contribute to enhancing GCC-Chinese relations." Saudi Arabia
Egypt celebrates Qatar’s National Day amid improving ties Egypt’s iconic Cairo Tower lit up with Qatar’s flag colors, in the latest sign of warming relations between the two countries after years of political rift. Egypt
Qatar’s presence in eastern Mediterranean benefits Egypt, Turkey Qatar is enhancing its presence in the eastern Mediterranean that is rich in oil and gas reserves at a time when tensions are ripping through the region over the maritime borders and excavation rights. Egypt
Saudi Arabia's MBS embarks on tour of Gulf states Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit Qatar for the first time since Saudi Arabia ended a yearslong blockade on its Gulf neighbor. Saudi Arabia
The Takeaway: Iran nuclear talks resume next week — What you need to know Turkish lira crisis hits Syria; Saudi, Syrian intel chiefs talk; Netflix drama evokes memories for Izmir’s Jews; Oman bets on logistics; Egypt, Tanzania deepen ties; Gaza’s women skateboarders — all in less than 1,500 words. By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell
Oman invests in ports with eye to becoming Gulf gateway Oman is betting on strategically located ports and container terminals to expand its logistics sector, hoping to serve as a prime gateway to Gulf markets. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia welcomes multinationals to Riyadh Saudi Arabia's move to license 44 companies to open headquarters has put the kingdom in competition with the United Arab Emirates regional business hub. Legacy: Gulf
Arab League says talks in Lebanon 'starting point' amid Gulf rift Hossam Zaki, the Arab League’s deputy chief, also offered to travel to Saudi Arabia to help mediate the diplomatic row. Lebanon
Qatari ambassador meets Saudi diplomat in Riyadh The meeting was a further sign of improving relations between the Gulf states, who did not have relations from 2017 to January 2021. News Brief
