Newsletter: Gulf Gulf states step up China diplomacy as Trump’s lame-duck session nears Oman and Saudi Arabia are deepening diplomatic outreach to Beijing as the outcome of Tuesday’s US midterm elections introduces fresh uncertainty over Washington’s Iran policy. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Turkey’s parliament ratifies Mecca pact in boost to Saudi Arabia Turkey will now decide the scope of military support for Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Turkey
Culture What’s next for Cristiano Ronaldo after retirement from Portugal team? The Portuguese superstar is signed to the Saudi side Al Nassr until 2027, but the Yemen war is impacting the sport in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Dana Awartani revives lost mosaics Also this week: Lebanese dining, a new Arab art prize and ‘Girls of Riyadh.’ By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Business & Tech Democrats’ win: What’s at stake for Gulf business By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse US elections spotlight Gulf tech risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
UN fingers Israeli spyware firm in Bezos hack UN investigators say Saudi use of NSO Group software was the “most likely explanation” for the hacking attack against the Amazon CEO. Saudi Arabia
Are we seeing the calm before the storm in the Gulf? The Gulf states need calm for economic growth and security, but it all depends on what the United States and Iran do next. Saudi Arabia
How Soleimani’s slaying could affect Iran-Saudi ties The US killing of Iran’s revered Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani could pose serious security repercussions for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Meet the dismissed sports host who challenged Iran’s state TV Popular sports host Adel Ferdosipour, who recently witnessed his show being taken off the air by hardliners in the state TV, has now launched a new show on the internet. Saudi Arabia
Pentagon set to ramp up student vetting after Pensacola shooting Foreign military students in the United States will face new restrictions after the shooting at a Florida naval base in December. Saudi Arabia
Last Ottoman viceroy casts shadow on current Turco-Egyptian culture war After the success of the series "Kingdoms of Fire,” Egyptian cinematographers may have found the next controversial figure that can be used to counter Turkey’s interpretation of Ottoman history on screen: Muhammad Ali Pasha. Saudi Arabia
Pentagon considering reinforcing missile defenses after Iranian strikes After Iran's Jan. 8 ballistic missile attacks on an Iraqi air base housing US forces, the Pentagon is now challenged with preventing a repeat occurrence. Saudi Arabia
Reconciliation drive between Hamas, Saudis hits wall Hamas wants to restore ties with Saudi Arabia, but mediation efforts were stymied by disagreements over the US "deal of the century," the Arab Peace Initiative and other issues. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Why the US is expelling dozens of Saudi military trainees Washington is expected to expel more than a dozen Saudi military trainees from the United States. Saudi Arabia
Israeli spyware company accused of hacking activists hires lobby firm Q Cyber Technologies has been sued by Facebook and WhatsApp and is accused of helping Saudi Arabia spy on murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia
Pakistan seeks to mitigate US-Iran tensions Pakistan, wary in part of tensions between Washington and Tehran negatively affecting the reconciliation process in Afghanistan, has offered to mediate between the United States and Iran after the recent round of violence between them. Saudi Arabia
Intel: How a new report bolsters US case that Iran attacked Saudi Arabia A confidential United Nations report rebutted claims from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels that they were responsible for a missile attack on two Saudi oil facilities in September. Saudi Arabia