Chinese company to build Oman's first green hydrogen plant: What to know The plant in Duqm plans to produce 1 million metric tons of green hydrogen per year by 2030. China
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf defense spending surges The UAE and Saudi Arabia are staging a notable presence at IDEF 2025, Turkey’s major defense industry exhibition taking place in Istanbul. Both nations are leveraging the expo to reinforce regional partnerships and solidify new joint ventures. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Oman launches $200M clean energy fund with China’s Templewater China, a major clean energy player in its own right, already has multiple investments in the sector in Oman, particularly in solar and wind. Oman
Analysis Gulf growth forecast bright but Israel-Iran war threatens to derail outlook The World Bank had predicted economic growth among Gulf Cooperation Council states to increase in 2025 and 2026, but experts are skeptical due to the regional conflict. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: Gulf Al-Monitor Gulf: Oman reenters diplomatic arena to host US-Iran talks By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Analysis What’s behind Islamic State’s first attack in Oman? ISIS has not affected Oman as much as it has other Gulf countries, in part due to the sultanate’s strong security and lack of radicalism, according to one expert. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Interview Oman to phase out polluting industries 'too difficult to decarbonize' Omani Minister of Energy and Minerals Salim Al Aufi told Al-Monitor that if his government finds an industry too difficult or costly to decarbonize, there will be discussions taking place about phasing the sector out all together. Salim Al Aufi Oman Minister of Energy and Minerals
As it seeks to rival China and Pakistan, India sets its sights on Oman trade deal The agreement could serve as a "strategic lever" for New Delhi to expand its influence in the Middle East. Oman
Sovereign fund-led economy: Oman takes a page from Saudi Arabia Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
What does EU visa relaxation for Saudi, Bahraini, Omani citizens mean? Under the new rules, Bahraini, Omani and Saudi Arabian nationals will be eligible for multiple-entry visas, allowing them to visit the Schengen area (the EU’s 27 member states as well as Bulgaria and Romania) and move freely between them. Saudi Arabia
Dubai's record rainfall spotlights Gulf’s troubled relation with water The Gulf’s longterm love–hate relationship with water lies behind a year and a half's worth of rain that fell on Dubai in 24 hours. It includes climate change-induced shifting rainfall patterns, groundwater extractions and unsustainable consumption. United Arab Emirates
Oman LNG deal spree continues with France's TotalEnergies The French energy major is also working on the Marsa project in Oman, which it claims is the first LNG bunkering hub in the Middle East. Oman
Oman launches $5 billion 'Future Fund' in sign of economic progress Oman’s economy is improving by some metrics as the Gulf state seeks to diversify. Oman
What does Donald Trump's latest $200 million deal with Saudi Arabia entail? The former president, who is now the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party, has long had significant business ties to Saudi Arabia via his properties and the LIV Golf league. Legacy: Gulf
UK’s Cameron heads to Oman to discuss Houthi attacks, Red Sea escalation Ahead of the visit, the foreign minister told the Conservative Middle East Council that Britain is ready to bring forward the moment when it officially recognizes an independent Palestinian state. Oman
Oman's oil and gas sector drives 30% GDP growth in 2022 Oman’s hydrocarbon sector growth rate was 61.6% from 2021 to 2022, compared to non-hydrocarbon sector growth at 16.9% during the same period, according to the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) 2022 Annual Report. Oman