Analysis What UAE’s $3.45B pullback from Pakistan signals about Abu Dhabi's priorities As Abu Dhabi pulls back long-rolled deposits while investing selectively, Pakistan faces an era of more conditional Gulf support tied to strategic alignment. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers Home to many of the world's largest wheat importers, the Middle East and North Africa face acute food security risks as the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts global fertilizer flows and pushes up prices. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa Ukraine alleges the vessel unloaded wheat taken from occupied territories in Haifa, while Israel says ship had not entered the port. Israel
UAE’s cash request tests US ties as Iran war strains Gulf financial muscle Amid growing economic fallout from the regional war, Abu Dhabi’s bombshell request for a war-time financial lifeline from the United States is less about cash and more about clout — for now. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Airport rehabilitation project raising eyebrows in Egypt Egypt has already opened two new airports this year, which has people wondering if spending $62.4 million to renovate one in a remote desert area is necessary. Egypt
Will Lebanese wait hours in gas lines as fuel crisis bites? Lebanese citizens are living day by day the repercussions of the dollar scarcity crisis, as the fuel sector threatens an open strike next week if the government fails to find a proper solution. Lebanon
Uptick in Turkish exports, tourism comes at a price Increased export and tourism revenues have helped limit the Turkish economy’s contraction in the second quarter, but the improved numbers have come at the expense of price cutting, economic data show. Turkey
Petra bus attack exposes divisions within local Jordanian community A recent attack on a tourist bus in Petra seems linked to ongoing tensions between the Bdoul and Layathna tribes, who compete with each other for revenues in Petra’s souvenir and tourism hospitality economy. Jordan
Can trade dialogue help improve Turkish-US ties? Amid the lingering threat of US sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian missiles, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross paid a long visit to Turkey, leading many to believe bilateral trade will be set apart from the political rows between the two countries. Syria
Palestinians preparing for their day in court against Israel The Palestinian leadership is preparing briefs to present to the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague to address Israeli violations of the Paris Protocol, which governs their economic and trade relations. Palestine
Investors, economists see Egypt’s new mining law as promising Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi approved a new law on mining that would help promote the mineral sector by attracting foreign investors and regularizing the industry. Egypt
Is Belarus scheming against Russia's reconstruction policies in Syria? Belarus is tacitly promoting its own businesses in Syria, but not all of them are necessarily to the detriment of the Russians. Syria
How much are Israel's elections costing it? With only about 70% of Israelis bothering to vote, maybe it's time to reconsider election day being a national holiday and therefore a paid vacation day for workers. Israel
Intel: Why Russia boosts Iran even as Tehran pares nuclear deal commitments Despite their differences on Syria, Russia needs a stronger Iran as its partner. Russia
What did Sisi discuss in Kuwait? Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah during a visit to Kuwait, to discuss economic and security cooperation as well as regional developments. Kuwait
The interplay between exchange rates and inflation in Iran While the Iranian rial has strengthened against the dollar, inflation remains high, and the budget deficit is not helping the matter. Iran
