Rubio links Iran's economic fate to nuke deal as Trump vows sanctions The top US diplomat's comments come amid a delay in the fourth round of Oman-mediated talks between Washington and Tehran over a potential deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for international sanctions relief. Iran
Oman’s sultan talks Iran-US nuclear mediation with Putin in first Russia visit Historically neutral Oman has been mediating between the United States and Iran, as Russia seeks to strengthen its ties with the Gulf state. Oman
Analysis Trump tariffs could disrupt Gulf’s IPO hot streak as markets sink New US tariffs have roiled markets worldwide and initial public offerings should not be expected to escape unscathed. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Despite green energy deal blitz, Middle Eastern climate efforts fell flat in 2024 By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis Was 2024 a breakthrough year for the Middle East’s AI ambitions? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis From BRICS to dwindling oil revenues, 2024 was mixed year for Gulf By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Oman will make it easier for expat workers to switch jobs Under a previous order, foreign workers were barred from switching companies without explicit permission from their employers. Oman
Oman’s public sector reform risks brain drain By letting go of thousands of foreign experts, Oman risks losing the know-how central to achieving economic diversification. Oman
In latest spending cut, Oman not renewing majority of foreign consultant contracts Contracts will not be renewed for at least 70% of foreign experts and consultants working for the Omani government. Oman
Oman ending lockdown in capital Restrictions in other parts of the country to remain in place as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Oman
Gulf’s megaprojects face delays, reassessment Saudi Arabia has cut capital expenditure for a number of Vision 2030 projects amid a drop in oil prices and Chinese investment. Will other Gulf states follow suit? Saudi Arabia
China ramps up COVID-19 diplomacy in Mideast As the Trump administration tries to link the coronavirus to a Chinese laboratory, Beijing is using the pandemic to strengthen ties in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Oman’s sovereign wealth fund under pressure Ahead of the prospect of a high budget deficit in 2020, assets held by the State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) plunged by about a third to $14.3 billion. Oman
Intel: Trump calls on Qatar to work toward resolving Gulf dispute President Donald Trump has asked Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to take steps to resolve the ongoing dispute with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, which blockaded Qatar in 2017. Legacy: Gulf
For Gulf, South Asia countries, worst is yet to come The pandemic is expected to be especially hard on migrant workers in the Mideast and South Asia, as it has left many of them unemployed and struggling to return home to an uncertain future. Legacy: Gulf
Is Oman’s model of governance about to shift? Oman's debts are piling up as oil prices crash, putting at risk its wide-reaching social welfare system. Oman
‘All hands on deck:’ Middle East embassies inundated with citizens stranded in US Middle East embassies are overwhelmed with calls from citizens trying to return home as COVID-19 spreads in the United States. Oman
Oman’s foreign policy after Sultan Qaboos As Sultan Haitham’s reign begins, Omanis hold fast to the Gulf state’s long-standing commitment to dialogue and regional diplomacy. Oman
