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
How Turkey fits into the Qatar puzzle Turkey's military presence in Qatar seems to be complicating an already complex situation for the coalition that recently cut ties with Doha. Legacy: Gulf
The reason Erdogan champions press freedom abroad Defending Al Jazeera’s right to report becomes a double-edged sword for Erdogan, who suffocates free media in Turkey and struggles to remain friends with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Washington talks fail to secure breakthrough in Qatar crisis Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has been huddling with Gulf diplomats all week, to no avail. Legacy: Gulf
Corker hold puts Saudi arms deal at risk Congressional aides say the Senate Foreign Relations chairman’s threat to block arms sales to the Gulf until the Qatar crisis is resolved could have a wide-ranging impact. Saudi Arabia
Regional developments accelerate Hamas-Hezbollah reconciliation Hamas and Hezbollah leaders have recently held meetings in Beirut, suggesting an end to their cold dispute over the Syrian war, as the Gulf-Qatari crisis continues. Legacy: Gulf
Moscow carefully assessing international energy scene Russia’s long-term energy plan relies heavily on gas sectors in the Middle East and Eurasia as it struggles with low prices and sanctions. Saudi Arabia
Saudi foreign policy pushes Iran, Turkey closer Saudi Arabia’s blockade of Qatar appears to open space for Iranian efforts to engage in regional diplomacy and cooperation. Saudi Arabia
Stakes high for Kuwait as mediator in Qatar crisis Kuwait has established its neutrality in the Qatari crisis, but it has a lot at stake. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi-led Qatar blockade brings Iran, Turkey together Rather than forcing Doha to bow to its demands, the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar has split the region in two, bringing together the kingdom’s rivals. Saudi Arabia
With Qatar isolated by GCC, Iran steps in After Saudi Arabia asked Qatar to cut relations with Iran, Iranian and Qatari leaders said they plan to expand ties. Saudi Arabia
Iran draws line in the sand in Syrian desert Iran stakes claim in eastern Syria; Saudi move against Hamas; Qatar risks confrontation in the Gaza Strip. Saudi Arabia
Tunisia can only afford neutrality in Qatar crisis Tunisia has officially remained neutral in the Qatari-Gulf crisis given its economic relations with the two main parties involved. Legacy: Gulf
