Iraq reinforces Saudi border security amid militia tensions: What to know Iraq is sending the reinforcements in response to Iran-backed militia attacks and as it looks to build security ties with Riyadh. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran sets conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz Syria, Saudi Arabia to establish joint bank; Lebanon, UAE ink deals, deepen economic ties; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh AlUla brings Saudi creativity to Paris Also this week: Jeddah flavors, public art and Aseer’s cool escape By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Business & Tech Iran keeps Hormuz reopening on hold Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remained low, with only five commodity vessels transiting the waterway on Tuesday, according to data from maritime tracking firm Kpler. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi GDP growth continues on back of high oil prices Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy is also growing, boding well for its ambitious economic diversification projects. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia, China sign over 40 deals during Xi's visit The deals encompassed tech, energy and climate sectors as Chinese President Xi Jinping held meetings with numerous Arab and Gulf leaders on Friday. Legacy: Gulf
Inside UAE, Saudi roles in facilitating release of Brittney Griner A high-level Gulf source with access to the details of the exchange told Al-Monitor that the exchange happened at a UAE airbase at 5:00 pm Abu Dhabi time (8:00 am ET). Legacy: Gulf
Saudi, Chinese companies sign investment deals on renewable energy, cloud services during Xi’s visit Xi Jinping’s trip to Saudi Arabia has focused largely on economic and energy ties so far. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis The Takeaway: Xi's Saudi Arabia trip sends a message to US Plus, the Biden administration gears up for next week’s summit of African leaders and warns that Iran is still fueling Yemen’s war. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Saudi Aramco tested by deglobalization and energy transition Gerald Kepes In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends
China’s Xi heads to Saudi Arabia, adding strain to US ties Xi's visit to Saudi, the first in six years, will include two summits with Arab and GCC leaders and could see an agreement on nuclear technology Legacy: Gulf
Another vertical farm comes to Saudi Arabia Vertical farming has great potential to help alleviate rising desertification in the Middle East, which could threaten the region’s food supply in the future. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi wealth fund to invest in mountainous Aseer region Aseer receives the most rainfall in Saudi Arabia and has some tourism potential, but the kingdom is not close to meeting its tourism goals at present. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia announces new natural gas discoveries The kingdom is already a major oil exporter, but it could also start exporting natural gas in the near future. Legacy: Gulf
Turkish government banks on Gulf financial support to save economy As crucial elections near, Ankara pins hope on financial support from “friendly” countries to ease its foreign currency shortfall and rein in inflation. Turkey
Saudi Arabia to build giant solar power plant The plant, which will be partially owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, will have more output than other solar energy facilities in the region if all goes to plan. Legacy: Gulf