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
Lawmakers to study how Egypt's civil servants are paid The majority coalition in Egypt’s parliament wants to amend the civil service law to increase what government employees are paid, while some experts and economic observers believe the state ought to instead create a work environment that discourages incompetent civil servants. Egypt
Why is Egypt canceling T-bond auctions? For the second time this year, the Egyptian government canceled the sale of treasury bonds after banks demanded higher interest rates. Egypt
Why Iranians are lured by Georgian delights Iranians from different walks of life seek investment opportunities and residency in Georgia, thinking it would be a gateway to Europe — but is it that easy? Iran
Saudi Arabia hires star lawyer to fight anti-oil cartel bill Former Republican Solicitor General Ted Olson is being paid to push back against bipartisan legislation challenging OPEC’s dominance. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani moves closer to Khamenei amid bipartisan backlash President Hassan Rouhani’s appearance before parliament to answer economic questions did not satisfy Principlists or Reformists. It did, however, please Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran
Egypt reaps harvest of Sisi’s visit to China Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi returned a few days ago from a visit to China during which he participated in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in what raised questions about the gains that Egypt will achieve from the visit. Egypt
Unemployment pushes Palestinians to work in Israel Many Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where jobs are scarce and low-paying, enter Israel to find work, and those who are truly desperate end up building the very settlements they seek to end. Palestine
Egypt to invest in restoration of war-torn countries Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly recently issued a decree to form an action group aimed at investing a great deal of effort in the reconstruction of five Arab countries. Egypt
Will Iran merge banks owned by military institutions? Though the merger of lenders affiliated with Iranian security institutions is an important step toward military divestment, the process faces many obstacles. Iran
When will Jordan-Syria border crossing reopen? Since the Syrian regime has taken control of southern Syria, including the Nassib border crossing, hopes to resume trade and boost the economy between Jordan and Syria have been revived. Jordan
Zarif: Even America’s allies not immune to US sanctions During an unannounced trip to Turkey, Iran’s foreign minister warned America’s allies that they are not immune to US pressure. Syria
Iranian president under fire in heated parliament session Iranian lawmakers said they were not convinced by President Hassan Rouhani's responses to questions that centered mainly on economic grievances. Iran
