Aramco begins expansion of oil export route bypassing Hormuz The kingdom plans to expand the East-West Pipeline’s capacity to carry crude to as much as 10 million barrels per day. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: FutureVerse US elections spotlight Gulf tech risks A sweeping victory by Democrats could put the White House’s recent Gulf dealings under greater scrutiny. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Oil tops $114 as traders brace for Iran escalation after US midterms On Friday, BP posted its highest profits in 18 years as a result of the Iran conflict, which has driven up oil and gas margins. Iran
Russian satellite data helped Yemen’s Houthis target Saudi Arabia: What to know A report by The Associated Press found evidence that Russian satellites helped Yemen’s Houthis identify and target specific sites, including energy facilities and military bases, in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Analysis How wartime urgency pushed Iran to court Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Saudis trumpet Trump Saudi Arabia gives US President Donald Trump the fully rolled out red carpet treatment in hopes of getting heightened US action against Iran. Legacy: Gulf
Bahrain’s ongoing political crisis threatens stability The Bahraini government is taking a strong stand against the militant Shiite opposition factions that have become more radical in the past few years. Saudi Arabia
Is Trump holding a Russian card in the Middle East? Trump visit launches new US-Saudi partnership, but the endgame in the Middle East still depends on Moscow and Tehran. Saudi Arabia
Palestinians alone in FIFA face-off against settlement teams Arabs in Israel as well as in the Gulf states might pay lip service to defending the rights of Palestinians under Israeli occupation, but meaningful commitment has often been lacking. Saudi Arabia
Setting low bar for Trump-Erdogan meeting With US-Turkey relations in crisis, the meeting of the US and Turkish presidents will be about appearances over substance; Saudis will press Trump on Iran; storm clouds over Sinjar; Hamas clamps down on journalists. Saudi Arabia
What Saudi leaders expect from Trump’s visit Saudi officials see an opportunity to gain influence in the Middle East when US President Donald Trump visits their country later this week. Saudi Arabia
Congress OK with Saudi missile defense sale amid warming Israel-Gulf ties Israel seems fine with Saudi Arabia getting an anti-ballistic missile system, as does Capitol Hill. Saudi Arabia
Can Russia, West cooperate on Libya? Moscow sees an opportunity to engage with Europe to help solve Libya’s crisis, and the US president seems ready and willing to stay out of it. Saudi Arabia
Trump goes to Riyadh US President Donald Trump may want to learn lessons from previous presidential encounters with Saudi kings if he wants his trip to visit King Salman to be a success. Legacy: Gulf
White House sees wild-card nature as asset in Trump’s first foreign trip Trump’s first foreign trip as president will be to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Rome, the holy places for Islam, Judaism and Christianity, as he tries to rally the world to unite against extremism and intolerance, aides say. Saudi Arabia
In shift, Saudis seek political solution for Yemen port Hoping signs of progress in talks with Houthi rebels come to fruition, Riyadh is now looking away from military plans and considering a political solution to take a strategic Yemeni Red Sea port. Saudi Arabia
Saudis seek renewed relations with US under Trump The Saudis want US President Donald Trump to reconsider policies made during the Obama administration, especially regarding Iran, which they say has not changed its conduct since the nuclear deal. Saudi Arabia