Newsletter: FutureVerse LEAP’s comeback The fifth edition of the gathering offers a temperature check for the Gulf’s AI ambitions amid fallout from the US-Israel-Iran war. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Xi makes first Egypt visit in decade as Cairo gets caught in US-China AI row China's Huawei last month submitted a bid to build advanced AI data centers and supply more than 2,000 AI chips for Egyptian government systems. Egypt
Analysis How Ethiopia’s new dams test Egypt’s ability to defend its Nile red lines Ethiopia’s water minister has emphasized the country’s plans to move forward with new Blue Nile dam construction, leaving Egypt to contend with the potential fallout. By Eli Siegel-Bernstein
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
Mixed messages since US-Saudi-Islamic summit prove costly Is the United States missing an opportunity with Iran in the war against the Islamic State? Turkey, Hamas deal with fallout from Qatar dispute; Al-Monitor had the jump on “secret” US-Russia talks on Syria. Saudi Arabia
Hamas could lose Qatar's support amid GCC strife Palestinians are concerned that as a result of the Qatar crisis, the Gulf nation might be forced to reduce its financial commitments to Palestine, especially in the Gaza Strip. Saudi Arabia
Egypt's Sisi vows to recover state land from squatters President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered the army and police to put an end to illegal encroachment of state lands across the country. Egypt
Egypt's new NGO law will further shackle civil society Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi promulgated a new law May 29 that regulates the work of NGOs, but local and international human rights activists and groups say the law is repressive and imposes unprecedented draconian restrictions. Egypt
Egypt takes fight against illegal migration to the airwaves In its latest effort to stem the flow of illegally emigrating young people, the Egyptian government is airing educational ads and programs on the radio. Egypt
Turkey's 'American Idol' of Quran recitation backfires An attempt to spread Ramadan cheer backfires as Turkey's Islamists are not happy with a controversial TV show involving competition to recitate the Quran. Egypt
Egypt’s role in the push to cut off Qatar With three Gulf states revolting against Qatar's regional policies, Egypt has found the perfect opportunity to sever ties with Qatar after four years of political bickering. Saudi Arabia
Hamas could be next victim of Qatari-Gulf brawl Qatar politely sent some Hamas leaders packing after several nations, including Saudi Arabia, cut diplomatic ties with Doha. Saudi Arabia
Cairo cracks down on rivals ahead of presidential vote As the Egyptian presidential elections approach in June 2018, members of political parties are arrested, including lawyer and former presidential candidate Khaled Ali, who may run for president again. Egypt
Russia’s reading on what’s at stake in Qatar crisis Moscow has pricked up its ears as Qatar’s diplomacy problems grow more raucous. Legacy: Gulf
Egyptian ad sparks ethics debate on charitable donations An Egyptian foundation ended up taking its Ramadan commercial off the air when it was accused of insulting the poor, then undermining government policy. Egypt
US urges dialogue to ease Qatar crisis Diplomats hope mediation will cool diplomatic crisis between Qatar and its Gulf rivals. Saudi Arabia
