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
Analysis Macron’s Palestine gamble: Can recognition plan jump-start peace talks? French President Emmanuel Macron said he may recognize a Palestinian state in June when he will cohost a peace summit with Saudi Arabia, but has not committed to such a move. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Trump willing to meet Iran's Khamenei but 'will be leading' war pack if no deal In an interview with Time Magazine, President Donald Trump says he believes a deal with Iran can be reached via negotiations while expressing readiness for war in the event that it doesn't. United States
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar face uneven 2025 growth as trade tensions rise: IMF While Gulf economies face only the Trump administration’s baseline 10% tariffs, the levies have already impacted oil prices and revenue, especially for rentier states like Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Saudi Film Festival spotlights “Cinema of Identity” at Ithra By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood as king visits Saudi Arabia The decision follows an alleged plot against Jordan that authorities said was linked to the Islamist organization. Jordan
Trump set to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE May 13-16: White House Trump's first foreign trip in his second term is aimed at reassuring Gulf partners over the Iranian threat and attracting new investments. United States
Analysis India's Modi visits Saudi Arabia, seeks to boost trade route to counter China India's largely transactional relationship with Saudi Arabia has moved beyond oil sales to a more strategic and closer partnership. By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Analysis Why low oil prices under Trump are unlikely to curb Middle East output Prices stood around $100 a barrel in 2022, under the Biden administration, but hovered between $63 and $66 this past week. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi defense chief meets Khamenei in historic Iran visit: What to know Prince Khalid’s visit marks a further step in Iran and Saudi Arabia’s political reconciliation, but it comes at a tense time in the region, with the second round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations just two days away. Saudi Arabia
GCC-Indonesia economic ties deepen with Saudi MoUs, joint Qatar fund Trade between Indonesia and the Gulf is rising and negotiations are underway for a GCC-Indonesia free trade agreement. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh ‘Maknana’: Arab artists explore new media in Riyadh Riyadh’s cultural scene is thriving this month with major exhibitions, high-profile openings like Maison Assouline and a spotlight on pioneering Saudi artists. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
David Petraeus, ex-CIA head, tapped to lead KKR's push into Mideast markets The newly-formed team will identify investment and partnership opportunities in the region, with a focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the private equity firm said. Saudi Arabia