Oman

October 7, 2025

Muscat 10:19 pm

29°C

Analysis

As Carrefour retreats in Mideast, can new Gulf superstore brand advance?

Amid rising competition and consumer boycotts of Western companies, UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim has begun pulling French retailer Carrefour from Middle East markets and rebranding outlets under a new name: HyperMax.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Guests attend a policy dialogue on Embracing Emerging Opportunities in times of Economic Uncertainty during the 10th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, China, Sept. 10, 2025.

Hong Kong inks agreements with Gulf partners at BRI Summit

Some 36 business agreements covering finance, technology, logistics, professional services and education were set to be signed at the event.

Saudi Arabia

Analysis

Gulf rail boom rumbles on as 2030 deadline for regional network nears

From 100 million metro riders in Riyadh to a new Oman-UAE railway, Gulf states are pouring money into train transport — but plans for a regional rail network are still taking shape.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

From Kuwait to Turkey, why are countries cracking down on Roblox?

The fast-growing gaming platform has been banned in countries including China, Iran, Oman, Qatar, and Turkey.

Kuwait

Latest News

Chinese company to build Oman's first green hydrogen plant: What to know

China

Oman launches $200M clean energy fund with China’s Templewater

Oman

Analysis

Gulf growth forecast bright but Israel-Iran war threatens to derail outlook

A view of the Dubai skyline, May 12, 2025.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Kate Dourian

In Dubai, reporting on energy

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani reviews honour guards during a welcoming ceremony at Algiers airport April 2, 2014. REUTERS/Louafi Larbi (ALGERIA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3JOO5

UAE tries to scuttle Qatar-Saudi reconciliation

There are signs that ties between Qatar and Saudi Arabia are improving, but the United Arab Emirates is maintaining a hard-line position on Doha, threatening Gulf reconciliation.

Saudi Arabia

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) and U.S. President Barack Obama are greeted upon their arrival on Marine One for a meeting with Saudi King Abdullah at Rawdat al-Khraim (Desert Camp) near Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, March 28, 2014.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3J176

US can help heal GCC rifts

The United States is leading efforts to resolve the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but uncertainty over the future of the Gulf Cooperation Council remains.

Legacy: Gulf

Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said (R) walks with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani upon Rouhani's arrival in Muscat March 12, 2014. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani (OMAN - Tags: POLITICS ROYALS) - RTR3GQAH

Gulf states should form regional bloc with Iran

Arab Gulf states can no longer ignore Iran’s vital role in bringing stability to the Gulf region, and should work on establishing a security and economic arrangement with Tehran.

Legacy: Gulf

A general view shows Dubai's cityscape September 24, 2013. Dubai's government is working on new rules to protect its real estate market and prevent any excessive rise of property prices that could end in a crash, a senior official said on Tuesday. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Tags: REAL ESTATE BUSINESS CITYSCAPE) - RTX13Y0C

Al-Monitor launches Gulf Pulse

With the launch of its Gulf Pulse, Al-Monitor is expanding its coverage of the region.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz (R) is greeted by an officer upon his arrival to attend the 130th meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh on March 4, 2014. AFP PHOTO / FAYEZ NURELDINE (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images)

Saudi-Qatar tensions divide GCC

The announcement by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates that they are withdrawing their ambassadors to Qatar is a further sign of the deterioration in Saudi-Qatar ties and the fragmentation of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia moving ahead with Gulf union

Opposition from Oman will not deter Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud from seeking strength in GCC unity.

Saudi Arabia

Oman's Interior Minister Saud bin Ibrahim al-Busaidi attends the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Interior Ministers' Conference in Manama November 28, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer (BAHRAIN - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX15WB1

Omani rejection of GCC union adds insult to injury for Saudi Arabia

The Omani stance may force the kingdom to pause in its regional policies.

Saudi Arabia

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (4th L) attends a meeting for the 2nd Joint High Committee in Kuwait City on December 1, 2013. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee (KUWAIT - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX15ZK7

Iran nuclear deal may be start of new era in Persian Gulf

The Iran nuclear deal could be a breakthrough on regional ties.

Legacy: Gulf

Correcting misconceptions of the Gulf’s modern art movement

Contrary to what some may believe, a vibrant indigenous visual arts tradition does exist in the Gulf.

United Arab Emirates

Iranian President Hassan Rowhani (L) and Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said (C-R) review the honour guard during the latter's welcoming ceremony at Tehran's Saadabad Palace on August 25, 2013. The Iranian authorities have announced that Sultan Qaboos of Oman, the only Gulf leader to maintain good relations with Tehran, arrived in Iran for a focus on economic issues and diplomacy visit. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sultan Qaboos, UN's Feltman Test Diplomacy with Iran

Sultan Qaboos of Oman and UN Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman create diplomatic flurry in Tehran.

Oman

Protesters hold signs reading "Stop killing people in Sohar" and "Release our fathers, brothers, and sons" during a protest in front of the Public Prosecution building in Muscat April 2, 2011. Protests in Oman, which pumps out 800,000 barrels of oil a day, have focused on demands for better wages, jobs and an end to corruption. Many protesters have demanded that the government be held accountable for the detention of hundreds of demonstrators in Sohar. REUTERS/Said Al Bahri (OMAN- Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITIC

Oman Curbs Corruption To Quell Dissent

Oman is actively tackling corruption in response to the 2011 Omani Spring, Ahmed Ali M. al-Mukhaini writes.

Oman

Oman

As Carrefour retreats in Mideast, can new Gulf superstore brand advance?

Hong Kong inks agreements with Gulf partners at BRI Summit

Gulf rail boom rumbles on as 2030 deadline for regional network nears

From Kuwait to Turkey, why are countries cracking down on Roblox?

Latest News

Chinese company to build Oman's first green hydrogen plant: What to know

Oman launches $200M clean energy fund with China’s Templewater

Gulf growth forecast bright but Israel-Iran war threatens to derail outlook

Our Journalists

Samuel Wendel

Sebastian Castelier

Jennifer Gnana

Kate Dourian

Karen Young

UAE tries to scuttle Qatar-Saudi reconciliation

US can help heal GCC rifts

Gulf states should form regional bloc with Iran

Al-Monitor launches Gulf Pulse

Saudi-Qatar tensions divide GCC

Saudi Arabia moving ahead with Gulf union

Omani rejection of GCC union adds insult to injury for Saudi Arabia

Iran nuclear deal may be start of new era in Persian Gulf

Correcting misconceptions of the Gulf’s modern art movement

Sultan Qaboos, UN's Feltman Test Diplomacy with Iran

Oman Curbs Corruption To Quell Dissent

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