Technology

Elon Musk (L) and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (C) are directed to greet the Saudi crown prince at the Royal Court in Riyadh, on May 13, 2025.

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.

Players in action during day one of the Girl Gamer Esports Festival at Meydan Racecourse on Feb. 21, 2020, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Dubai Police to host expanded esports event amid UAE gaming push: What to know

The UAE wants to grow its esports sector as part of its economic diversification plans, mirroring a similar endeavor in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Netflix teams up with MBC’s Shahid in Saudi Arabia: An end to streaming wars?

A new agreement between MBC Group and the US industry giant appears to signal a shift in the Middle East's streaming market, with top players opting for collaboration over competition.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - MAY 16: U.S. President Donald J. Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Trump is on the fourth and final day of his visit to the Gulf to underscore the strategic partnership between the United States and regional allies including the UAE, focusing on security and economic collaboration. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Analysis

AI pivot: Trump loosens export rules, opening path for Gulf tech surge

Gulf states have been lobbying the Trump administration to loosen export restrictions on AI technology, although concerns have lingered among some within the current administration over security risks regarding China.

Jared Szuba

Samuel Wendel

By Jared Szuba , Samuel Wendel

Latest News

Meet Karim Attiyeh, youngest Arab American billionaire of Lebanese origin

An image of Karim Attiyeh.

Citing security threats, Sudan blocks WhatsApp calls: What to know

Israeli startups raise $1.6B in June as war with Iran fails to rattle investors

People visit the "EcoMotion Week" trade show on May 11, 2022, in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv.

Elon Musk calls Lebanon’s Aoun, signals plans to bring Starlink to Beirut

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday held a phone call with billionaire businessman and former senior figure in the Trump administration Elon Musk, during which the two discussed the potential of Musk entering Lebanon’s telecom and internet sectors. What happened: A statement from the Lebanese presidency said that in their phone call, Musk “expressed his deep interest in Lebanon and its telecommunications and internet sectors.” Musk also expressed his desire for his companies to “have a presence

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Incoming CEO of Israeli NSO Group resigns amid Pegasus scandals

Isaac Benbenisti announced he was stepping aside "in light of the special circumstances" involving the Israeli spyware firm.

MARIO GOLDMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Palestinian rights defenders hacked with NSO's Pegasus, report finds

The investigation found one of the hacked devices belonged to an American citizen.

JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images

US blacklists Israel's NSO Group for 'malicious' cyberactivities

The Biden administration placed to two Israeli cyberfirms, NSO Group and Candiru, on the US Commerce Department’s blacklist.

GALI TIBBON/AFP via Getty Images

US pressures Israel on trade with China

Washington is calling on Israel to change the way it monitors foreign investments in Israel, and Israel is likely to take appeasing measures.

Iranians use internet at a cybercafe in the center of the Iranian capital Tehran on May 14, 2013.

Iran’s president calls for tighter internet control

Iran’s president called for tighter control of the internet while “digitizing” the economy.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart following their meeting in Moscow on Oct. 6, 2021.

The Takeaway: Khamenei warns neighboring Azerbaijan over Israel ties

Egypt’s Nile encroachers; Morocco and Ethiopia; Turkey and Syria; Israel’s looming budget showdown; Lebanon’s zoo animals; Egyptian mummy faces revealed; Gilles Kepel talks with Alaa Alaswany — all in about 1,400 words!

NASA/JPL-Caltech

UAE announces mission to explore asteroids

The Emirates is the first Arab state to have a Mars mission and already has a probe circling the planet.

'Futuristic' Dubai Expo to open one year late

Delayed by the pandemic, Dubai is ready to take its turn on the world stage with its $6.8 billion showcase expo.

The US Department of Justice is seen on June 11, 2021, in Washington, DC.

Ex-US intelligence operatives admit to hacking for UAE

The Justice Department said Tuesday three former intelligence and military operatives had admitted to helping the UAE government surveil targets worldwide, including US citizens.

United Arab Emirates

An Iraqi woman updates her voter registration at the Independent High Electoral Commission Center in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah in the Dhi Qar province on Jan. 12, 2021.

International observers prepare for Iraq's elections

Hundreds of international observers are gearing up for the legislative elections in Iraq on Oct. 10 in an attempt to help Iraqis conduct transparent and fair elections.

FERENC ISZA/AFP via Getty Images

UN panel calls for cybersurveillance sale freeze amid Pegasus scandal

The independent panel said it was concerned by reports that highly sophisticated surveillance tools are being used to monitor journalists, activists and political opponents.

Houses in the unrecognized bedouin village of Sawaneen are seen, southern Negev Desert, Israel, June 8, 2021.

Bedouins excluded from Israel’s high-tech industry

Israelis who are employed by high-tech companies live a comfortable life, which Bedouin youths can only dream of.