Egypt’s Sisi, Putin meet as Russia steps up Africa push: What to know Wednesday’s meeting comes on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit, a two-day gathering in Moscow bringing together African leaders and officials. Egypt
Canada, UAE sign trade pact as Ottawa seeks to diversify beyond US The agreement is set to broadly lift tariffs on key products as Canadian officials hope to boost bilateral trade to $7 billion within a decade. United Arab Emirates
Macron secures Gulf diesel supplies as France grapples with fuel costs, unrest France now has commitments for 295,000 metric tons of diesel per month from the Gulf, accounting for just over 10% of the European country’s consumption. Bahrain
Saudi Arabia postpones 'Davos in the Desert' until 2027 amid Houthi attacks The Future Investment Initiative, which typically attracts the CEOs of some of the biggest companies in business, finance, and technology to Riyadh, will now be held next year. Saudi Arabia
Analysis How Hormuz crisis is reshaping economic ties between Iraq and Syria By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Lebanese turn to cryptocurrency as economy tanks Lebanon is bursting with crypto mining shops, traders and online mentors to fulfill the surging demand from people desperately looking to gain financial freedom and much-needed US dollars. Lebanon
Egypt raises interest rates for first time since 2017 Inflation and bread prices have risen significantly in Egypt recently, and Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also raised their rates. Egypt
Jihadi group raises prices in Syria’s Idlib as war rages in Ukraine While some believe the Russian war on Ukraine has upped prices in northwest Syria, others accuse Hayat Tahrir al-Sham of exploiting the crisis to make gains. Syria
Israel implements some but not all sanctions against Russian oligarchs Israel’s leadership said that the country will not enable Russian oligarchs to bypass Western sanctions, but at the same time it did not commit clearly to adopt all the sanctions. Israel
Saudi GDP grew 3.2% in 2021, highest in seven years Saudi economic progress includes growth in the non-oil sector, as foreign direct investment moves more slowly. Saudi Arabia
Israel unhappy over unregulated cryptocurrency trade Israeli authorities are demanding the international crypto stock-exchange Binance to explain unregulated digital currency trade in the country. Israel
Saudi-US business forum to focus on defense, artificial intelligence Saudi Arabia is looking to diversify its economy, but some in the United States want less cooperation with the Gulf state due to human rights concerns. By AL-MONITOR Staff
Egypt charts middle diplomatic course in Ukraine war Cairo voted in favor of the US-backed UN resolution condemning the Russian invasion, but is not shutting down ties with Moscow. Egypt
Israeli President set for first official visit to Turkey in 15 years Israeli President Isaac Herzog visits Ankara on March 9. Israel
Ukraine calls on Egypt to support it, abandon neutrality Ruslan Nechai, charge d'affairs of Kyiv's embassy in Cairo, calls on Egypt and countries in the region to support it with weapons, fuel and financial and humanitarian aid, and abandon the position of "neutrality" regarding the Russian invasion. Egypt
How Ukraine crisis undermines Turkey's economic program Ankara’s economic program has hit a deadlock under the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, marked by a stream of fuel hikes, canceled tourism bookings and textile orders, and shortage fears in the food sector. Turkey
Analysis Israel’s trade with Ukraine, Russia to be affected by conflict Israel fears that the ongoing conflict could negatively affect trade with both Russia and Ukraine, in high tech, but perhaps also on wheat, coal and diamonds. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
