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June 8, 2026

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Vessels are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, off the port city of Khasab on Oman's northern Musandam Peninsula, on May 17, 2026.

Analysis

Turkey pushes Iraq, Syria trade routes as Hormuz crisis disrupts Gulf shipping

Turkey is using the Hormuz crisis to promote Iraq- and Syria-based Gulf-Europe corridors, but experts say the routes remain too costly, underbuilt and politically fragile to rival maritime shipping.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Mario Tama/Getty Images

Container rates climb as logistic firms scale up Hormuz alternatives

The Drewry World Container Index measuring container shipping prices has soared by more than 40% since the start of the US-Israel-Iran war.

United Arab Emirates

Latest News

Analysis

As Gulf crisis reshapes energy markets, experts warn of new normal

Philippe LOPEZ / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Ports and infrastructure: UAE embraces new economic order in Syria

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives to attend the second day of the first Syrian-Emirati (United Arab Emirates) Investment Forum, at the People's Palace in Damascus on May 12, 2026. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP via Getty Images)

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

Reve Chaaban

In Doha reporting on culture

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.

Gazans thankful for Qatar funds, worry about the future

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the second transfer of Qatari funds to Gaza, while criticizing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for generating a humanitarian crisis in the Strip.

Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah gestures during a news conference with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, following the annual summit of GCC, in Kuwait City, Kuwait, December 5, 2017. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed - RC16BFA38D60

Is the GCC dead?

Although Saudi Arabia has invited Qatar to attend the Gulf Cooperation Council summit Dec. 9, a resolution to the dispute between Doha and its Gulf neighbors seems far off, threatening the entire council with irrelevancy.

Qatari grant provides temporary relief for some in Gaza

A $150 million Qatari grant shows signs of providing some respite to long-suffering Palestinians in Gaza and producing a slight boost to Gaza’s economy, but is not a solution to the humanitarian crisis plaguing the enclave.

How Saudi Arabia, Qatar are competing over Iraq

As the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Qatar continues, each country seeks influence in Iraq in order to expand its economic and political power in the region.

Egypt sends mixed messages on possible thaw with Qatar

Though some officials in Cairo have stated the importance of a stable relationship with Qatar, so far there are no initiatives for reconciliation.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani in Doha is seen during his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Doha, Qatar November 1, 2018. REUTERS/Naseem Zeitoon - RC143AB93710

How Qatar is working to boost its influence in Yemen

Doha balances close relations with Houthi and Islah factions in the Yemen war in order to take advantage of political instability in the country and bolster its influence over the country’s internal affairs.

Qatari funds give boost to Gaza return marches

A recently delivered cash infusion from Qatar to the Gaza Strip boosted the morale of many Palestinians, and some experts predict the weekly protest marches there will continue — but peacefully, as long as Israel negotiates in good faith.

Israel mulls letting in Gazan workers if area stabilizes

Despite very recent hostilities, Palestinians see a glimmer of hope in reports that a truce could allow Gazans to work inside Israel, even as conditions keep deteriorating in the besieged enclave.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani speaks to the country's consultative Shoura council in Doha, Qatar, November 6, 2018. Qatar News Agency/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC1FF5F57E20

What's behind Qatar’s Cabinet shuffle?

With a recent Cabinet shuffle, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani appears to be positioning his country for long-term economic success by taking advantage of short-term realities.

Middle East upheaval casts shadow over 'Arab NATO'

A regional military exercise hosted by Egypt excludes Qatar in a blow to anti-Iran unity.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (R), Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah (L) and King Salman of Saudi Arabia are pictured at a family photo session during the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Istanbul Summit in Istanbul, Turkey April 14, 2016. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - GF10000382311

Gulf countries concerned as Turkey cozies up to Kuwait

Turkey’s military cooperation accord with Kuwait raises eyebrows in the Gulf.