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Qatar

January 2, 2026

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Yasir Al-Rumayyan, head of the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia's influential sovereign wealth fund, addresses the opening ceremony of the Future Investment Initiative, in Riyadh, on Oct. 28, 2025.

Gulf accounted for 43% of global sovereign wealth fund investment in 2025

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund was the world's highest spending sovereign wealth fund in 2025, investing some $36.2 billion.

Guests stand at the booth of Saudi AI company Humain during the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh on Oct. 29, 2025.

Analysis

Middle East adapts to Trump’s tech agenda as Gulf AI gamble grows in 2025

This year saw a wave of dealmaking across data centers, chips, critical minerals and AI collaboration as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE eagerly aligned with President Trump’s tech agenda amid sharp swings in US foreign policy.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Traffic moves on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai on March 24, 2025.

Analysis

Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi

The Gulf’s top financial hubs have posted another strong year in 2025, with the UAE spearheading a regional push to attract hedge funds, asset managers, crypto and fintech firms as regional neighbors target growth of their own.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Analysis

Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza?

US President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on Oct. 13, 2025.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Qatar’s prime minister meets US officials as Gaza plan stalls

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) shakes hands with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at the State Department in Washington, on Dec. 17, 2025.

Egypt secures Qatari investment boost, launches first SCZONE industrial deal

Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib speaking at the Egyptian-Qatari Investment Forum in Cairo, Egypt on Dec. 14, 2025 (State Information Service)

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

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Kate Dourian

In Dubai, reporting on energy

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks following talks on the situation in Afghanistan.

Intel: Qatar to represent US diplomatic interests in Afghanistan

Qatar will act as the formal diplomatic messenger between Afghanistan's Taliban leaders and Washington.

Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy driving the (99) Alfa Romeo Racing C41 Ferrari during the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Sochi Autodrom on Sept. 26, 2021.

Qatar to host first Formula 1 Grand Prix in November

The Gulf country, which will make its Formula 1 debut in November, also inked a 10-year hosting deal.

A member of Taliban stands guard along a road in Kabul on Sept. 30, 2021.

Qatar says Taliban rights abuses 'very disappointing'

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani lamented the Taliban's "backward" steps.

WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images

US citizens on first Qatar Airways flight from Kabul since pullout

Qatar’s special envoy to Afghanistan said the Hamid Karzai International Airport is “fully up and running” and that another passenger flight will depart on Friday.

Afghan refugees, fleeing the Afghan capital Kabul, exit an US air force plane upon their arrival at Pristina International airport near Pristina on Aug. 29, 2021.

After Afghanistan pullout, US pursues long-distance diplomacy from Qatar

Without a diplomatic presence on the ground in Kabul, the United States will engage with the Taliban from a remote mission in Doha.

WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar in talks with Taliban, Turkey to reopen Kabul airport

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said there is “no clear indication” of when flights will resume at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

A Taliban fighter walks past a beauty salon with images of women defaced using spray paint in Shar-e-Naw in Kabul on Aug. 18, 2021.

Qatar calls on Taliban to respect women's rights

Qatar said that the gains women made under the previous Afghan government should not be undone by the Taliban, which is notorious for its treatment of women.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley (C) arrives at the US Capitol.

Pentagon defends Kabul drone strike as ‘righteous’

The rules of engagement were followed in the lead-up to a strike that killed 10 people, including children, the top general says.

Sgt. Jimmie Baker / US Army via Getty Images

Qatar to provide coronavirus vaccines for Afghan evacuees

COVID-19 tests and vaccines will be administered to Afghan evacuees who don't immediately depart for other flights, the Qatari Foreign Ministry has said.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (C), clad in mask as part of COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic protocols, cheers during the Amir Cup final football match between al-Sadd and al-Arabi at Al-Rayyan Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2020.

Qatar names Saudi envoy as Gulf ties improve

Bandar Mohamed Abdullah al-Attiyah will serve as Qatar's first ambassador to Saudi Arabia since the 2017 Gulf row.

Qatari man votes 2015 municipal elections

Controversy in Qatar over electoral law’s exclusion of tribe

Seven people have been referred to prosecutors for “publishing fake news” regarding the Al Murrah tribe’s discontent with the regulations for Qatar’s upcoming election.

qatar airways plane and vaccine shipment

Qatar to resume tourist, family visas starting July 12

Both vaccinated and non-vaccinated visitors will be required to present a negative PCR test and certain travelers must quarantine upon arrival.