Technology

People attend the international esports gamers Next World Forum in Riyadh, Sept. 7, 2022.

Culture

Iran war hits Saudi gaming drive as Esports Nations Cup pushed to 2027

The postponement is a blow for the kingdom, which has made growing its esports sector one of the main priorities under its Vision 2030.

A ship sails off the coast of Ajman on July 10, 2026.

Interview

Why Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF

The fund's Middle East director, Jihad Azour, told Al-Monitor that the big Gulf energy producers now have more capacity to absorb the shock.

Jihad Azour

Jihad Azour

Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund

A student attends a training seminar at the Tourism Ministry Training center in the city of Riyadh on August 30, 2022.

Interview

Saudi labor localization will take ‘generation or two': Armada CEO

Around 70% of Saudi Arabia's population is 35 years old or younger, according to the kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics, providing ample opportunity for an educated and technology-savvy national workforce in the coming decades.

Olivier Badard

CEO of Armada Holding

This photo illustration taken in Damascus on May 20, 2026, shows the X account of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on a smartphone displaying his tweet to President Donald Trump.

Syria reports sabotage of undersea internet cable between Tartous and Alexandria: What to know

The affected cable connects Syria to Egypt and is one of four cables that link to the coastal city of Tartous.

Latest News

Explainer

Saudi investors could emerge as key winners from SpaceX’s historic IPO

The headquarters of SpaceX in Hawthorne, California, with a Falcon 9 booster in March 2024.

Iran partially restores internet after 88-day blackout: What to know

An Iranian woman walks past a mobile phone shop at the Valiasr Square in Tehran on April 19, 2026.

Oman enters Gulf AI race with new special economic zone in Muscat

Haitham AL-SHUKAIRI / AFP via Getty Images

Who is Handala, the hacktivist group US ties to Iranian intelligence?

Flag of Iran on a computer binary codes falling from the top and fading away.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) walks with his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela’s Maduro receives warm welcome in Turkey

Turkey and Venezuela have good relations, much to the chagrin of the United States.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Moroccan Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Minister Abdellatif Miraoui and Israeli Science and Technology Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen.

Israeli, Moroccan ministers of science and technology sign cooperation agreement

Israel’s Science and Technology Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen and Morocco’s Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Minister Abdellatif Miraoui made history today, concluding a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in a vast field.

Visitors wearing virtual reality headsets interact with a display by the Israel Aerospace Industries.

Israel high-tech sector looks to Ukraine, Arab world to address labor shortage

With a manpower shortage that keeps growing, Israeli high-tech companies are going to great lengths to recruit a quality workforce.

An Israeli woman works among marijuana plants at the Breath Of Life Pharma greenhouse in the country's second-largest medical cannabis plantation, near Kfar Pines, northern Israel, March 9, 2016.

Israeli cannabis industry grows with seeds export to US

The seeds from the Israeli crop science firm BetterSeeds are the first in the country to be exported internationally.

A social worker plays an educational game with a homeless child inside one of the mobile units run by the Egyptian authorities and used as part of the "Atfal bala ma'wa" (Children Without a Home) social program, Abbasia district, Cairo, Egypt, June 22, 2020.

Egyptian startups reimagine mental health services in Arab-speaking world

In an attempt to fill some of the most urgent gaps in mental health issues across the region, online platforms have developed tech-enabled alternatives to offer services that are safe, stigma-free and help raise awareness — although concerns about accessibility persist.

Gaming in Israel

Israel's gaming industry continues expansion

A general view of the city skyline at sunset from Dhow Harbour on Feb. 5, 2015 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

More fintech startups come to Abu Dhabi

The UAE wants to attract more entrepreneurs and startups to the country.

United Arab Emirates

Rapper and producer Al Darwish.

Syrian rapper embraces NFTs to shake up Middle East music industry

Nonfungible tokens are charting a new course for artists, and one Syrian musician hopes they will help more Arab artists gain independence.

A Saudi man browses through Twitter on his desktop, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 30, 2013.

Analysis

US praises Saudi progress on intellectual property, notes issues in Egypt, Turkey

The Office of the US Trade Representative said that pharmaceutical product inspection in Turkey and illegal streaming in Egypt are key issues.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Billionaire entrepreneur and founder of SpaceX Elon Musk speaks below a computer-generated illustration of his new rocket at the 68th International Astronautical Congress 2017, Adelaide, Australia, Sept. 29, 2017.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX to provide internet services in Bahrain, Israel may be next

Musk has already assisted Bahrain with its satellite program and has additional space-related interests in Turkey.

Crypto hacking event returns to Dubai

The UAE is emerging as a regional hub for cryptocurrency activities.

United Arab Emirates

Marco Bello/Getty Images

UAE crypto push continues as Kraken invades Abu Dhabi

Two other cryptocurrency exchanges have also announced moves to Dubai recently.

United Arab Emirates