Analysis Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock ADNOC, Aramco and QatarEnergy have aggressively expanded their international portfolios in recent years, a strategy facing new constraints as the US-Israel-Iran war impacts Gulf production and exposes structural risks. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Syria’s Sharaa makes fourth visit to Saudi Arabia, first since Iran war: What to know The visit comes in light of the deepening economic relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia post-Assad. Syria
MBS hosts Sudan's Burhan in Jeddah as $1.5B Saudi-backed arms deal stalls Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan traveled to Jeddah Monday for a visit that could be aimed at salvaging a $1.5 billion Pakistani arms deal Riyadh has reportedly blocked. Sudan
UAE's deputy PM holds first call with Ghalibaf amid push to extend US-Iran ceasefire The Emirati vice president and Iran’s parliament speaker talked de-escalation on the phone in the first such contact since the Iran war began. United Arab Emirates
Kuwait rejects Iran's drilling plans in disputed gas field in Gulf Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have a longstanding dispute with Iran over the Durra gas field. The recent disagreement follows improvement in Iran's relations with both countries. Legacy: Gulf
UAE, Qatar reopen embassies after years of political rift The Emirati and Qatari foreign ministers held a phone call ahead of the two embassies restarting their diplomatic functions on Monday. United Arab Emirates
UK business minister heads to Gulf to discuss GCC trade deal Kemi Badenoch will meet her counterparts in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE as well as the new GCC secretary general in a five-day trip. Legacy: Gulf
HSBC projects strong China-Middle East economic growth In 2021, trade between countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China surpassed GCC trade with the United States and Europe for the first time, according to the IMF. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis Saudi Aramco, high-value IPOs face impending pressure in 2023 The United Arab Emirates saw the world’s largest IPO of first quarter 2023, with ADNOC Gas PLC raising $2.5 billion on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. By Salim A. Essaid
Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia top MidEast recipients of US visas in 2022 Citizens from the MENA region received about 480,000 non-immigrant visas, or about 7% of the total 6.8 million visas issued globally. Israel
UAE, Qatar to reopen embassies within weeks UAE-Qatar embassies are expected to reopen with new ambassadors in their posts within weeks or by mid-June latest, according to Reuters sources. Legacy: Gulf
US welcomes Bahrain, Qatar deal to restore relations The State Department applauded the "breakthrough" agreement reached between the two US partners in the Middle East. Qatar
Turkey, Egypt inch closer to restoring ties as FMs meet in Ankara The former Eastern Mediterranean rivals are on the path to rapprochement, but there are no plans for the return of ambassadors as of yet. Turkey
New UAE-Canada flight agreement boosts Emirates capacity by 40% Emirates said it will add two flights per week between Dubai and Toronto to serve its large number of travelers starting April 20. Legacy: Gulf
China's emergence as Saudi-Iran broker signals multipolar diplomacy in Middle East As China hosts on Thursday the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers in Beijing, the Gulf states have an opportunity to capitalize on its growing role. Legacy: Gulf
Elon Musk denies report that Saudi Arabia, UAE intend to invest in SpaceX An arm of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and an Abu Dhabi-based company were reported to be looking to invest in Elon Musk’s SpaceX, according to The Information, which cited people familiar with investor discussions. Legacy: Gulf
