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
Egypt turns jails into economic hubs to outpace inflation As commodity prices continue to increase, Egyptians are resorting to products made in prisons under the government’s policy to encourage detainees to work and learn trades. Egypt
Sudan, Egypt mend fraying ties Sudan decided to lift the ban imposed on Egyptian imports more than a year ago, which raises questions about the impact of this decision on the Egyptian economy in the coming period. Egypt
Turks spooked as government's inflation efforts fall flat Inflation has hit a new recent high of 25% in Turkey and the president's son-in-law and finance minister is struggling to convince the public his anti-inflation plan is getting anywhere. Turkey
Egypt facilitates investment opportunities in Africa The Egyptian government plans to create an investment risk insurance fund to encourage Egyptians to invest more in the African continent and to help strengthen and deepen relations with African nations. Egypt
PA, Turkey closer than ever The death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi seems to have strengthened Turkey's position in the regional competition with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Smuggling surges as US sanctions hit Iranian rial The Rouhani administration may not be responsible for the US sanctions hitting the Iranian economy, but it is responsible for the damage caused by smuggling and other harmful activities resulting from misguided foreign exchange policies. Iran
Turkey’s crisis-hit construction sector threatens big fallout Once a driving force of economic growth, Turkey’s construction sector is among the first victims of the country’s economic turmoil, threatening a contagion effect on an array of other sectors. Turkey
Syrian businessmen succeed in Turkey Syrian businessmen continue to partner with Turks in Turkish enterprises, even though such Turkish sponsorship is no longer required by law. Syria
Egypt to bridge 4% of budget deficit through elections Egypt’s National Elections Commission is set to impose a fine on Egyptians who did not take part in the March 2018 presidential elections. Egypt
How Palestinian exports of $1 billion impact trade deficit Governmental and nongovernmental parties in Palestine are trying to support the export sector in a bid to reduce the trade deficit and dependency on the Israeli economy. Palestine
Putin, Sisi take Russia-Egypt relations to 'strategic level' Moscow and Cairo signed a strategic cooperation agreement that is supposed to open new venues for bilateral relations in the military, political and cultural domains. Egypt
Why Iran must seriously act to address rent seeking While the top elites of the Islamic Republic are recognizing the need to address mismanagement of the Iranian economy, the core issue remains the rent seeking that is thwarting genuine reform. Iran
