Legacy: Gulf - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Legacy: Gulf

The PwC Tower, or Libeskind Tower, Milan, March 12, 2021.

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.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Employees of Aramco oil company work in Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq oil processing plant on September 20, 2019.

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.

Jennifer Gnana

Samuel Wendel

By Jennifer Gnana , Samuel Wendel

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

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

A cargo ship is docked at the port of Yemen's Huthi-held city of Hodeida on July 28, 2024. Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

Latest News

Analysis

Telegram CEO's arrest spotlights UAE’s investment-based citizenship laws

MUNICH, GERMANY - JANUARY 24: Pavel Durov of Vkontakte speaks during the Digital Life Design conference (DLD) at HVB Forum on January 24, 2012 in Munich, Germany. ence and culture which connects business, creative and social leaders, opinion-formers and investors for crossover conversation and inspiration. (Photo by Nadine Rupp/Getty Images)

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Heavy floods hit Dubai, airport as Oman toll rises to 18

Dubai's roads were badly hit by the heavy downpours

Agence France-Presse

Oman launches $5 billion 'Future Fund' in sign of economic progress

HAITHAM AL-SHUKAIRI/AFP via Getty Images

Al-Qaeda attack in Yemen kills 2 members of southern forces

Security forces deploy near Aden International Airport in Yemen's southern city on April 14, 2023 during a prisoner exchange between the internationally recognised-government and the Sanaa-based Huthi rebels.

Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images

UAE bank to allow cryptocurrency trading in dirhams

A bank in the United Arab Emirates will soon allow its customers to trade cryptocurrencies using Emirati currency.

Biden Saudi Arabia

Analysis

The important counternarrative on Biden’s Middle East trip

Symbolism matters, but progress matters more — and there was progress.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Ras al-Khaimah

UAE doubles tax inspections in first half of 2022

The Gulf state is seeking to increase its financial transparency and boost tax revenue.

Kabaa

Culture

Saudi man arrested, accused of helping non-Muslim journalist enter Mecca

Israeli press reports identified the journalist as Israeli television reporter Gil Tamary, though Saudi authorities referred to the journalist as a “US citizen.”

A worker walks past a waste management facility under construction at the Bee'ah company in the Gulf emirate of Sharjah.

UAE requests bids to build another waste-to-energy power plant

The Emirates recently unveiled a power plant in Sharjah that converts garbage into electricity. Some environmental groups believe such facilities are harmful due to their carbon footprint, but burning garbage also reduces landfill waste.

Bidan Salman

Analysis

The Takeaway: Biden visit launches new chapter in US-Saudi ties

Egypt braces for Nile Dam filling; Can Israel help Morocco with Western Sahara?; Palestinians blocked at airport; Erdogan cancels student loan interest; Islamic State menaces Iraq-Syria border.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Andrew Parasiliti

By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (R) looks on during a meeting.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to work with France’s TotalEnergies on carbon capture

The deal came during UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to France, where he strengthened energy relations with the European country. The two countries have grown closer over Libya and energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean.

(L to R) Amos Hochstein, the US senior adviser for Energy Security, speaks with the Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih.

Venture capital investments in Saudi startups triple to $584 million

Saudi Arabia is proud of its emerging startup scene, but oil remains the bedrock of the Saudi economy.

Karen Elliott House

Live Q&A on the future of US-Saudi relations

Saudi expert Karen Elliott House discussed Biden's recent meetings in Saudi Arabia and the future of US-Saudi relations during a live webinar on July 22.

Flag

UAE builds first railway over water

The Emirates is working on a national railway system as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

US President Joe Biden takes notes while an usher serves coffee during the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (GCC+3) at a hotel in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on July 16, 2022.

Breaking | Last Updated: August 22, 2024, 10:46 am

Live Updates: Biden at GCC summit in Saudi Arabia 'the US is not going anywhere'

Follow along for the latest updates on the US president's trip to Israel, the West Bank and Saudi Arabia.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Saudi Public Investment Fund continues UK investment with Aston Martin stake

Saudi Arabia already owns a Formula One racing team with the British car company, which is struggling financially.