Caught in the middle, Oman shrugs off Trump's latest Iran threat For the second time in months, President Donald Trump has threatened to strike the US partner as it holds talks with Iran. Oman
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf chokepoints bring Japan closer to Saudi Arabia, Oman Japan's top diplomat is in the Gulf this week, but the agenda says as much about Saudi Arabia and Oman as it does about Tokyo. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Sultan of Oman meets UAE's MBZ as Iran-Hormuz talks advance The talks come as Oman is in the midst of negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. Oman
Iran says understanding reached with Oman over new Hormuz route map Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters in Tehran on Monday that “an understanding has been reached regarding the map of the transit route.” Iran
Gulf’s megaprojects face delays, reassessment Saudi Arabia has cut capital expenditure for a number of Vision 2030 projects amid a drop in oil prices and Chinese investment. Will other Gulf states follow suit? Saudi Arabia
China ramps up COVID-19 diplomacy in Mideast As the Trump administration tries to link the coronavirus to a Chinese laboratory, Beijing is using the pandemic to strengthen ties in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Oman’s sovereign wealth fund under pressure Ahead of the prospect of a high budget deficit in 2020, assets held by the State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) plunged by about a third to $14.3 billion. Oman
Intel: Trump calls on Qatar to work toward resolving Gulf dispute President Donald Trump has asked Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to take steps to resolve the ongoing dispute with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, which blockaded Qatar in 2017. Legacy: Gulf
For Gulf, South Asia countries, worst is yet to come The pandemic is expected to be especially hard on migrant workers in the Mideast and South Asia, as it has left many of them unemployed and struggling to return home to an uncertain future. Legacy: Gulf
Is Oman’s model of governance about to shift? Oman's debts are piling up as oil prices crash, putting at risk its wide-reaching social welfare system. Oman
‘All hands on deck:’ Middle East embassies inundated with citizens stranded in US Middle East embassies are overwhelmed with calls from citizens trying to return home as COVID-19 spreads in the United States. Oman
Oman’s foreign policy after Sultan Qaboos As Sultan Haitham’s reign begins, Omanis hold fast to the Gulf state’s long-standing commitment to dialogue and regional diplomacy. Oman
Yemen’s Hadi hopes new governor calms Mahra tensions In the wake of clashes between Saudi forces and local tribesmen in Mahra province, Yemen’s president appointed a new governor in the hope of preventing further violence. Legacy: Gulf
Will ties with Iran change under Oman’s new sultan? A new sultan sitting on the throne in Muscat has sparked questions about the future of traditionally cordial ties Tehran held with the late peacemaker, Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Oman
Is tourism the antidote to youth unemployment in Oman? Omani officials aim to create over 500,000 jobs in the tourism sector by 2040. Legacy: Gulf
Islamic Jihad undermines shaky Gaza cease-fire with rocket barrage Israel, Egypt holding Hamas accountable for all attacks from Gaza; the wisdom of Sultan Qaboos. Oman
