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
How rial's devaluation may boost Iranian economy Excess liquidity in search of higher returns may be causing turmoil in Iran’s foreign exchange, property and gold coin markets, but the money is primed to positively impact capital markets. Iran
Can PA's push for e-payments help ease its cash crunch? The Palestinian Authority has approved a plan to promote the use of electronic payment methods to reduce the need for cash, especially hard currency, and to catch up with international developments in financial transactions. Palestine
Does latest Gulf aid to Jordan come with strings? Analysts wonder whether a Gulf aid package to help Jordan deal with its current economic crisis is in fact an attempt to pressure the kingdom into accepting the Israeli-Palestinian peace plan being developed by the United States. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt braces for spillover from Turkey’s economic crisis With the Turkish lira hitting a new low against the dollar and Jordan freezing its free trade agreement with Ankara, will Egypt take revenge on Turkey by imposing duties on Turkish imports? Egypt
Rapid spread of gas stations fuels controversy in Gaza Gas stations are increasingly being invested in under the degenerating economic and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, pointing at conflicting interests between Gaza’s Ministry of Finance and Planning and the Ministry of Local Government. Palestine
Iran could become collateral damage of OPEC decision If OPEC decides this month to increase oil output, it will probably be the result of a simple economic decision and not any desire by Riyadh and Moscow to cater to the United States. Saudi Arabia
How foreign investors force Ankara to toe the line With nearly $700 billion in various assets in Turkey, foreign investors represent a crucial factor of pressure on Ankara's economic policies. Turkey
West Bank city becomes shopper's paradise for Palestinians living in Israel Impressive numbers of Palestinians in Israel are crossing the Green Line destined for shopping and eating in the West Bank city of Jenin. Palestine
Egypt expands law granting domestic products preference Egypt’s parliament has approved amendments to a law that gives preference to domestic products instead of imported ones in government contracts, drawing mixed reactions from local experts. Egypt
Turkish exports to Syria revived under shadow of war Turkey remains Syria's leading supplier of goods despite the ongoing war, with exports standing at some $1.4 billion last year. Syria
Russia finds navigating new development tricky in Syria Syria is slowly being seen less as a military liability and more as an investment opportunity, though there are still many potential challenges. Syria
Iran’s insurance industry braces for impact of US sanctions As Iran’s insurance industry awaits the re-imposition of US nuclear-related sanctions, the sector is this time better prepared for external restrictions. Iran
