Analysis Can Gulf states slash costly reliance on Western consultancies? A one-year ban on PwC acquiring work in Saudi Arabia has highlighted the Gulf states' dependency on Western firms and the need to develop local consultancies and talent. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Can Saudi Arabia afford giga-projects with oil prices under $75 per barrel? Riyadh could soon run a current account deficit as oil revenue declines amid huge spending commitments toward ambitious Vision 2030 projects. Saudi-led OPEC has also deferred an output increase plan to allow more time to reach desired oil prices. By Jennifer Gnana , Samuel Wendel
UAE's final unit of Barakah nuclear reactor hooked to grid: What we know The Emirates is the only Gulf country with a nuclear power program, though neighboring Saudi Arabia also has atomic power ambitions. United Arab Emirates
Saudi entity denies its ship hit as Houthis claim attack on Greek tanker Saudi Arabia's national shipping company Bahri denied reports that its tanker Amjad came under attack by the Houthis, the Yemeni armed group that has stepped up attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea. Yemen
Analysis Telegram CEO's arrest spotlights UAE’s investment-based citizenship laws By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Saudi Arabia, China sign $1.33 billion in housing deals The Saudi-China Business Forum represents the latest sign of increased Chinese interest in Saudi Arabia. Gulf
Saudi oil exports fall to 21-month low The decline in the kingdom’s oil exports follows its production cuts as well as those of Russia. Saudi Arabia may face difficulties maintaining price stability moving forward. Gulf
Iran warns of more ship seizures in defiance of US Marines' Gulf deployment Tehran ratcheted up its rhetoric against Washington in the wake of fresh American reinforcement in the Persian Gulf, prompted by the Iranian "harassment" of international commercial ships there. Iran
Why is US sending 3,000 Navy, Marines force to Persian Gulf? The Pentagon has not yet specified the Marines' role in deterring Iran from interfering with commercial shipping and threatening neighboring Arab states. Iran
Saudi, UAE theaters to screen Barbie this week, despite earlier push to delay The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar have changed the release date of the record grossing film for a second time to Aug. 10, and the film will open in Saudi Arabia Aug. 9. United Arab Emirates
Why are UAE, Saudi, other Gulf countries issuing Lebanon travel warnings? Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and also Germany and the United Kingdom issued similar travel warnings over the fighting that began July 29 between Fatah and hard-line Islamists at Lebanon's Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp. Gulf
UAE, Saudi Arabia race for investment in Pakistan Both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are prepared to develop closer business ties with less red tape, but experts caution that the Gulf nations stand to benefit most. Gulf
France, UK jostle for defense influence with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar France is aiming to bolster its presence as a leading security guarantor and partner in the Gulf, at a time the UK is also seeking to strengthen its ties with GCC countries. Gulf
Qatar loans Argentina $775 million to repay IMF Qatar continues its practice of assisting financially strapped countries by providing a loan to Argentina, which is also planning to use the yuan to purchase Chinese imports. Gulf
UAE’s ADNOC buys stake in Azerbaijan gas field The move follows a wind and solar energy deal between an Emirati firm and Azerbaijan. Gulf
France challenges US defense industry in Middle East as Rafale fighter jet sales outshine F-35 Middle East states have lined up to buy the French warplane over rival US-made F-35s. Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Pentagon aims to use Marines to defend commercial tankers from Iran Iran’s retaliation for US seizures of sanctioned oil shipments has drawn the military back into the Persian Gulf, but will the Biden administration authorize it to engage? Iran
