Newsletter: FutureVerse From oil to algorithms: The Gulf’s AI moment Gulf states launch AI champions, competing for regional dominance with US backing. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis With central role for Qatar, can Gulf states mediate between US and Venezuela? Venezuela's ties improved with Gulf states under Maduro, and some in the region voiced concern about the US operation. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
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 By Reve Chaaban In Doha reporting on culture
Analysis Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi 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
Egyptian FM: Ethiopian dam development shouldn’t 'come at expense of lives of Egyptians' In an exclusive, in-depth interview with Al-Monitor, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry says he sees no change in Qatari policies; great potential in regional integration; and says Egypt will play its "traditional role" to support "courageous decisions" to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Qatar
GCC countries miss chance to grant women full citizenship rights The tensions polarizing the Gulf region could have triggered long-awaited citizenship reforms, but the right to automatically pass on nationality remains a male preserve. Saudi Arabia
Zarif's 12-nation tour highlights an active Iranian diplomacy Despite the US sanctions imposed on him, Iran's foreign minister was not hindered in his whirlwind diplomatic tour of Europe and Asia. Kuwait
Qatar seeks increasing development projects in Africa Qatar is increasing its investments and aid to Somalia, with plans to expand more in West Africa in the future. Saudi Arabia
How much are Palestinians paying for 'peace' with Israel? After receiving another big batch of financial aid from Qatar, some Palestinians are wondering what the on-again, off-again truce with Israel is really costing them. Qatar
Qatar's agriculture push risks further groundwater depletion Groundwater depletion is raising environmental concerns over the long-term sustainability of Qatar’s ambitious self-sufficiency policy. Saudi Arabia
What was behind regional tour of Iranian foreign minister? Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif goes to Kuwait and Qatar to promote dialogue, perhaps because opportunities that once developed through Oman may no longer be as fruitful as they once were. Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s military base in Qatar to expand with air, naval elements Turkey and Qatar have agreed to expand the Qatar-Turkey Combined Joint Force Command in Doha with aerial and naval components as stakes grow higher in the Gulf region. Qatar
Geopolitics delay action while climate change threatens to parch Mideast The Middle East and North Africa region faces serious water risks, but experts say the collective action needed to address the problem is still far off. Oman
Will Dahlan party bust Fatah-Hamas duopoly? Dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan is reportedly working to form a new Palestinian political party with backing from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates
Why US companies seek role in Egyptian oil sector The Egyptian oil and natural gas market is witnessing a significant expansion of US companies and although some observers are concerned about this expansion, most agree that this reflects the stability and neutrality of the Egyptian market and is in its favor in the near and long terms. Qatar
Israel and Hamas agree: Gaza to soon get new hospital Israel and Hamas are on the same page for a change, with the two agreeing on the erection of a field hospital near the Erez crossing to enable international medical teams to help address some of the health care problems plaguing Gaza residents. Qatar