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
FC Barcelona 'hugely confident' on Messi return despite Saudi bid The Catalonian soccer team are in a tug-of-war with Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal to snap up the 2022 World Cup winner. Gulf
HSBC projects strong China-Middle East economic growth In 2021, trade between countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China surpassed GCC trade with the United States and Europe for the first time, according to the IMF. Gulf
Regulations on Middle East renewable energy industry starting to take shape The renewable energy industry remains at a relatively early stage of growth in most Middle Eastern countries and establishing regulatory frameworks will be a crucial part of that early growth.
China to support Oman's economic rebound in 2024 Oman is expected to go from one of the Middle East’s lowest growth rates this year to the region’s highest in 2024. Here's how China will help it get there. Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Lionel Messi move to Saudi Arabia from PSG 'a done deal': Report Jorge Messi said the decision on a transfer of the 2022 World Cup winner will not be taken until the end of the season. Gulf
How Kuwait’s political gridlock is hampering economic policymaking, competitiveness Kuwait’s continued political gridlock has obstructed the government's ability to advance an effective economic policymaking and reform agenda. Robert Mogielnicki
Italy and UAE push reset button, boost strategic partnership under Meloni The government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni seeks to boost ties with the UAE, which Rome views as a strategic partner in the region. Gulf
Bahrain FM Zayani takes shelter during Ukraine visit amid Russia's bombing A senior diplomatic source told Al-Monitor that Zayani “experienced the shelter life” in Kyiv on Wednesday and Thursday nights, a reference to the bomb shelters used by Ukraine to protect from Russian bombing. Gulf
Gulf stock markets drop into red with new Fed rate hike The United States Fed raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point on Wednesday, which led to Gulf central banks following suit. Gulf
Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia raise interest rates after US Federal Reserve The Fed’s controversial and aggressive rate hikes to combat inflation could be coming to an end, and this will have ramifications for fiscal policy in the Gulf. Qatar initially said it would not raise rates, but later announced a rate hike. Gulf
Syria’s Kurds turn to UAE to ease tensions with Assad An alleged trip to the UAE capital by Syrian Democratic Forces chief Mazloum Kobane, which Emirati officials deny, came just before he was targeted by a Turkish drone last month. Gulf
Cristiano Ronaldo world’s highest paid athlete at $136 million Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes’ 2023 list of the highest grossing athletes playing soccer in Saudi Arabia, which also gave tens of millions of dollars in upfront guarantees to top earners Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. Gulf
