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
How Iran can address its informal economy Without massive reforms involving all three branches of government, Iran's ability to formalize vast swathes of its economy will remain a pipe dream. Iran
Turkey's leg of the Silk Road could be smoother Turkish officials are playing up the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway as a segment of the new Silk Road linking Beijing to London, but there are many bumps yet to come along the way. Turkey
Jordan considering recipe for revolt: lifting bread subsidies Jordan must decide whether to eliminate the government subsidy on bread to receive assistance from the International Monetary Fund. Jordan
Putin resets Iraqi energy landscape as Barzani steps aside Russian moves maximize leverage as US stumbles on Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units; Massoud Barzani resigns as Kurdistan Region president; Syria and Russia take initiative with regard to local governance in Syria. Iraq
Iranian banks slowly reconnect to the world While Iran works to gradually reconnect its banking system to the world, major hurdles remain, even as companies find creative solutions. Iran
Palestinian reconciliation takes its toll on new PA budget The Palestinian reconciliation will require a substantial increase in the PA budget, including new hires for security and resolving the ongoing crisis involving civil servants appointed by Hamas. Palestine
Kurdish crisis could benefit Iran-Turkey-Russia energy deal As markets react to Iraq's reclamation of Kirkuk oil fields, other countries stand ready to take advantage of opportunities being created for energy producers. Iraq
Turkey does real business with virtual money Bitcoin usage is on the rise in Turkey, where businesses in various sectors, from informatics and engineering companies to pharmacies and taxi stands, have come to accept the virtual currency. Turkey
Turkey sees 'village uprising' as rural areas hit hard by liberal economic policies In rural Turkey, farmers and livestock producers are fighting back against the government's new economic policies. Turkey
Surging imports wipe out Iran’s trade surplus Rapidly increasing imports wipe out the Rouhani administration’s positive trade balance, shining a light on the need to further promote exports. Iran
Erdogan forges ahead with his 'dream' to build a canal to rival Suez The government wants to dig an artificial waterway between Istanbul’s two seas to spur economic growth, but conservationists and economists say the Istanbul Canal will prove costly for the city. Turkey
Russia's balancing act in North Africa Despite Russia's very different relations with Algeria and Morocco, Moscow takes pains to treat them the same. Algeria
