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
Turkey's tomato exports to Russia come at a price for Turks Turkish exporters resumed tomato sales to Russia in November after a two-year embargo, but only a month later, Turkish consumers discovered there is little to celebrate. Turkey
Turkey's 'shadowy' gold trade raises questions about Iran's involvement Unexplained rises in Turkey’s gold exports and imports have led experts to wonder whether Iran has reintroduced its trade mechanisms to circumvent international sanctions. United Arab Emirates
How Mideast turmoil boosts Turkey’s housing market Turkey enjoys a significant increase in real estate purchases by foreigners, but other foreign direct investments are on the decline. Turkey
Why is Iranian rial suddenly weakening? Inflation and other factors have caused the Iranian rial to weaken to the point where it now takes more than 40,000 rials to buy a dollar on the free market in Iran. United States
US sanctions-busting trial fails to shock Turkish markets Turkey’s financial markets remained relatively calm in the face of bribery confessions and other allegations targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
How Egyptian public workers will stay warm this winter An initiative to allow Egyptian public sector employees to buy winter clothes and pay in installments amid soaring prices could revive the stagnating garment sector. Egypt
Israeli tech puts Iranian ride-hailing startups in bind Drivers for Iranian ride-hailing companies have been using an Israeli navigation app, causing conflict between the relatively new businesses and judicial authorities. Israel
Two years after jet crisis, do Russians really trust Turkey? Russians appear to have forgiven Turkey for its jaw-dropping decision two years ago to shoot down a Russian jet, but forgetting is another matter. Turkey
Designers bring local talent back to Beirut’s souks Development company Solidere has invited Lebanese artisans to take over empty spaces in Beirut's Gold Souk, which now hosts a fashion school, workspaces and boutiques selling local handmade products. Lebanon
Iran moves to stamp out corruption opportunities in customs The Iranian government is moving to eliminate customs evasion, a major point of revenue loss and corruption. Iran
Long road ahead for Iran’s medicinal plants industry Once the world’s top exporter of medicinal plants, Iran now faces a multitude of obstacles to keep this industry on track. Iran
Soccer politics reaches fever pitch in Iran Despite promises to promote the privatization of soccer, Iranian authorities retain a firm grip over the sport in the country. Iran
