Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran sets conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz Syria, Saudi Arabia to establish joint bank; Lebanon, UAE ink deals, deepen economic ties; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh AlUla brings Saudi creativity to Paris Also this week: Jeddah flavors, public art and Aseer’s cool escape By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
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
France, Saudi Arabia announce more than $10B in deals on MBS visit Among the deals included a 6 billion euro ($7 billion) pledge from the Public Investment Fund in three manga-themed amusement parks on the outskirts of Paris. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran dismisses Trump’s ‘Economic D-Day’ threat By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Saudi Arabia shines at Venice Architecture Biennale By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis As Trump heads to Gulf, Israeli security cabinet split over plan to 'conquer' Gaza Some associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu campaign for a limited Gaza operation to increase military pressure on Hamas, while the extreme right ministers call for retaking the entire Strip. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Wall Street, Silicon Valley executives to join Trump in Saudi Arabia as US courts Gulf funds US President Trump is visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on May 13-15 in his first foreign visit since returning to the White House for his second term in January. Saudi Arabia
Goldman Sachs lowers oil forecast after OPEC+ boosts production: What to know Saudi Arabia, Russia and other members of OPEC+ announced another major production increase, sending oil prices below $60 a barrel. Saudi Arabia
OPEC+ moves up meeting as oil prices continue to drop: What to know Saudi Arabia has signaled it is willing to live with lower oil prices as US President Donald Trump calls for more production. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Discover the art of folklore at new Riyadh exhibit By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
China JV wins $1.13 billion contract to relocate Saudi university facilities The KSU deal marks the latest in a series of large contracts awarded by the Diriyah Company, which is overseeing the city project. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey rank in top 20 global military spenders: What to know Regional military spending saw a significant increase in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, amid conflicts in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, though it found that Europe drove the overall hike in global expenditures. Saudi Arabia
China’s Sinopec, Saudi Aramco to establish $4B energy venture: What to know The joint venture will engage in port operations, crude oil transportation and other activities at the refinery and petrochemical complex in the Gulei Port Economic Development Zone in Zhangzhou, in China's Fujian province. Saudi Arabia
Qatar, Saudi Arabia to pay off Syria’s $15M World Bank debt: What to know Both Gulf states have played a key role in the diplomatic outreach of Syria's new government. Syria
Analysis Can Modi leverage Saudi-China ties to reshape India’s global standing? The Saudi "pivot to the east" requires a careful balancing act to avoid antagonizing the United States and damaging ties with China. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran