Oman - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Oman cover image

Oman

October 7, 2025

Muscat 12:59 pm

33°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.

Samuel Wendel

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.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

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.

Samuel Wendel

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.

Latest News

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

Jens Schlueter/Getty Images

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

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Analysis

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

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

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

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the death anniversary of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in Tehran, Iran, June 4, 2017. TIMA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RC16ADBF0A50

Iran leadership shrugs off US oil sanctions, pledges response

Iran's supreme leader says the US plan to cap the flow of his country's oil will lead nowhere, pledging a "response to the US hostility."

A man walks past a currency exchange bureau advertisement showing images of the U.S. dollar and other currencies in Cairo, Egypt, April 2, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany - RC1BF9442E80

Is debt answer to Middle East economic troubles?

The forecast for growth across the Middle East and North Africa is bleak. Unfortunately for the regions, heavy debt appears to be one way out.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said al-Said in Muscat, Oman January 14, 2019. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via REUTERS - RC1FF4CF4E30

Why Iran is silent about US military deal with neighboring Oman

Iran has demonstrated no sign of outrage at a recent US-Omani military deal as the American Indo-Pacific Strategy seems not to clash with Iran's interests in the region.

Interview

Qatar says divisions within GCC have become ‘lose-lose’ situation for the region

Qatari spokesperson says the split among the Gulf states compromises the security of the region and that thousands of families are already paying a price.

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit (L) with Palestinian National Authority Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad Al Maliki are seen after a meeting with Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo, Egypt December 11, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany - RC170C9BBE90

Abbas making rounds to drum up financial support

Steeped in debt, the Palestinian Authority is doggedly pursuing Arab support, among other options.

Oman's Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi attends the Arab Foreign meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 12, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser - RC1CBB702600

Russia eyes Oman as mediator for regional crises

Moscow praises Muscat's stance on regional issues, and seeks to boost its mediation profile.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Ekaterina Zaharieva, Bulgaria's deputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform and Minister of Foreign Affairs pose for family photo at the Middle East conference at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland, February 13, 2019. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel - RC15EF32E9B0

Veteran peace hands see growing Israeli-Arab alignment in Warsaw

While the Palestinians boycotted the meeting in Poland, a number of Arab delegates showed an interest in engaging with US plans for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Security guards stand in front of the United Arab Emirates embassy during its reopening in Damascus, Syria December 27, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC1F43BEB420

Gulf states slowly warm to Damascus

Gulf states are turning their backs on supporting armed groups in Syria and preparing to re-engage the government in Damascus.

Netanyahu’s Golan statement ignores new Syria reality

For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu partnering with the far-right and proclaiming sovereignty over the Golan Heights is more important than aspiring to regional alliances with Muslim and Arab countries.

United Arab Emirates

The Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) Leaders are seen ahead of their Summit meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 9, 2018. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC1A2BB78CC0

What will 2019 have in store for dysfunctional GCC?

The Gulf Cooperation has essentially been split in, with Qatar, Kuwait and Oman resisting the actions of Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman and the UAE's Mohammed bin Zayed.

Why is Israel forging secret ties with Sudan?

Hamas condemns the current normalization of ties between several Arab countries and Israel, at a time the Israeli media is talking about efforts to stop arms reaching the Gaza Strip through Libya and Sudan.

United Arab Emirates

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Czech President Milos Zeman attend the inauguration of the "Czech House" in Jerusalem November 27, 2018. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC12B86811C0

Netanyahu’s diplomacy: buying friends by selling weapons

Rather than basing its global standing on the principles of equality and justice, Israel exports cyber weaponry to tyrannical, racist rulers.