Analysis Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route? On June 26, Emirati and Syrian officials discussed plans for a logistics corridor connecting Syrian ports to Gulf markets via Iraq. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Oil falls below $71 as US-Iran talks continue, Gulf exports rebound Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in an X post on Wednesday that Iran and the United States had made "positive progress." Iran
Kuwait's Zain eyes $1.5B mobile network in postwar Syria: What to know The Kuwaiti company is planning to invest more than $1.5 billion in Syria after securing a license to operate there, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. Syria
Oman's sultan meets Macron in first France visit since 1989: What to know French President Emmanuel Macron has been pushing against any form of toll for the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Interview Saudi labor localization will take ‘generation or two': Armada CEO Olivier Badard CEO of Armada Holding
Analysis Why the Hormuz oil shock never became an energy catastrophe By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Palestinians call for new reconstruction plan for Gaza Although more than $5 billion was pledged by international donors to help rebuild the Gaza Strip after the 2014 war, much of the plan to revitalize the coastal enclave has gone unimplemented. Palestine
Iranian lawmakers block cuts to cash handouts Iran's parliament has dramatically weakened the administration's proposed plan to end cash subsidy payments in a politically motivated backlash against the cost-saving effort. Iran
Turkish-Iranian trade revived amid growing cooperation in Syria Turkey and Iran have reversed a four-year downturn in bilateral trade as collaboration in Syria increases, but the possibility of a setback remains real. Syria
Iran prepares to boost jobs, clean air by revamping auto fleet The vast fleet of dilapidated vehicles on Iranian roads may disappear sooner than thought, though not everyone is optimistic about Tehran's latest attempt to get it done. Iran
Iran's currency crisis shakes Rouhani’s middle-class base Following the nationwide protests led by the Iranian working class in late December, the return of fluctuations on the foreign exchange market is putting pressure on the minds of middle-class Iranians. Iran
After big boom, Turkey’s aviation sector heads for turbulence Led by national carrier Turkish Airlines, Turkey’s civil aviation sector has grown impressively since 2003, but its heyday may be over due to the strain of economic and political factors. Turkey
Turkey mulls 'national' bitcoin A government-promoted push for the "native and national" in almost every realm has reached the sphere of cryptocurrency despite Turkey's lingering mistrust of bitcoin. Turkey
Congress skeptical of Saudi nuclear energy demands Lawmakers are making it clear that any proposal to share civilian nuclear technology with Saudi Arabia must include robust nonproliferation safeguards. Saudi Arabia
Six factors driving Iran’s sudden currency devaluation A confluence of political, economic and psychological factors appears to be behind the recent plunge in the Iranian currency’s value on the free market. Iran
Anxious Turkish investors eyeing opportunities abroad Mounting political tensions, uncertainties and declining rule of law in Turkey are pushing Turkish entrepreneurs to consider investing abroad. United Arab Emirates
Turkey eyes Indian weddings to prop up tourism industry The Turkish tourism industry, scrambling to recover from its worst crisis in years, seeks to grab a share from India’s lucrative wedding market. Turkey
Questions abound as Iranians claim US Treasury licensing plane sales to Iran The US Treasury Department is reportedly finally moving on issuing the necessary licenses for airplane sales to Iran after a long period of inactivity. United States
