Newsletter: City Pulse Doha Sealine Season lights up Qatar’s desert Also this week: Courtyard gatherings, winter festivals and live music By Reve Chaaban In Doha reporting on culture
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 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
Gaza aid cannot wait while Israel holds elections On the backdrop of the growing crisis in the Gaza Strip, Israel, Qatar and Egypt are discussing the idea of humanitarian aid supplies financed by Qatar. Qatar
How did Lavrov do on his Gulf tour? During his tour of the Gulf, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov treaded carefully around politics, opting to speak publicly about a safer topic, economics. Legacy: Gulf
Kuwait’s steady hand in Gulf affairs Amid disputes among the GCC states and beyond, Kuwait's efforts to bridge regional and international approaches to diplomacy remain vital. Legacy: Gulf
Russian FM puts politics above economics on GCC tour Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has kicked off his tour of the Gulf, reflecting Moscow's ambition to capitalize on its regional recognition as a great power. Legacy: Gulf
Israel to withhold PA taxes, quietly ask donors to make up difference Israel intends to cut tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority but will need foreign intervention to save the Palestinian Authority from collapse. Qatar
Trump introduced Qatari to donor pursuing nuclear power project, report says A Tennessee businessman says US President Donald Trump introduced him to a potential Qatari investor at his Mar-a-Lago resort in spring 2018. Saudi Arabia
Qatar pledges to keep money pipeline open to Gaza Strip Qatar seems adamant about continuing its financial support to the Gaza Strip, disregarding the Palestinian Authority’s resentment. Qatar
GCC states boxed in by US sanctions on Syria The United States creates dilemmas for GCC in Syria; Qatar steps up with $500 million Lebanon investment; Netanyahu seeks Arab photo-op in Poland. Legacy: Gulf
For Hamas, reconciliation with Egypt worth more than Qatari cash Qatar financial aid is very important for Hamas, but good relations with neighboring Egypt are essential to its survival. Qatar
Qatar scores symbolic victory in soccer win over UAE An unhealthy rivalry between Qatar and the UAE was on display during the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals, with Emirati fans booing the Qatari national anthem and pelting water bottles at the players. United Arab Emirates
Qatar sinks into Gaza quagmire Qatar wanted to please the United States and help Gaza residents with aid money, but has found itself trapped in a standoff between Hamas and Israel. Qatar
Qatar challenges Saudi influence in Lebanon There has been a vacuum created by a decline of Saudi influence in Lebanon that Qatar now seeks to fill. Saudi Arabia
