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. Saudi Arabia
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. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: City Pulse Doha Fireworks, feasts and festivals: Doha’s NYE 2026 Also this week: Open-air cinema nights, global sneaker art and festive concerts By Reve Chaaban In Doha reporting on culture
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. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Newsletter: City Pulse Doha I. M. Pei’s architectural legacy comes to Doha By Reve Chaaban In Doha reporting on culture
Australia condemns intrusive search of women before Qatar Airways flight Authorities in Doha reportedly searched women's private parts without consent after an abandoned newborn was discovered before a flight to Sydney. Qatar
Qatar extends mandatory travel quarantine through Dec. 31 Travelers from "low-risk countries" must quarantine for at least seven days upon arrival. Qatar
Qatar Airways resumes flights to three South African cities The Doha-based airline is nearing the number of destinations it offered services to before the coronavirus crisis. Qatar
US floats idea of upgrading Qatar to 'non-NATO ally' A senior State Department official made the suggestion amid a White House push for Arab states to recognize Israel following this year's strategic dialogue with Qatar. Qatar
The Takeaway: Trump scores diplomatic win with eye on November election Iran deal coming after elections, Trump says; Qatar says normalization not the answer; Netanyahu returns home to COVID-19, political crises. Saudi Arabia
DOJ orders affiliate of Qatar-backed Al Jazeera to register as foreign agent The Department of Justice accused AJ+ of acting "at the direction and control” of Qatar. Legacy: Gulf
Qatari official details mediation between Israel, Hamas The chairman of the Qatar Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza, Mohammed al-Emadi, says mediation "helped to deescalate the conflict and spare innocent Palestinian civilians." Qatar
Qatar brokers Israel-Hamas cease-fire Hamas says it has reached understandings with Qatar and Israel to contain the escalation in Gaza, but details of the agreement are murky. Qatar
Qatar, Egypt react to UAE-Israel agreement The two countries' differing reactions show that Arab states continue to have mixed feelings on the historic normalization agreement. United Arab Emirates
Will Qatar renew Gaza aid? There are concerns the Qatari aid to the Gazans will stop as tension escalates on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Qatar
Qatari investments continued in Egypt despite political tensions The Qatari Diar Company managed to open the St. Regis Hotel on the banks of the Nile River in Cairo, but the future of Qatari investments in the Egyptian market seems to be marred by tensions between the two countries. Qatar