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August 8, 2026

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Explainer

Qatar launches diamond exchange as Hormuz crisis chokes LNG exports

Qatar's new diamond exchange is an effort to diversify from the country's main exports, LNG and petroleum products, which have been severely cut as a result of the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

A ship sails off the coast of Ajman on July 10, 2026.

Interview

Why Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF

The fund's Middle East director, Jihad Azour, told Al-Monitor that the big Gulf energy producers now have more capacity to absorb the shock.

Jihad Azour

Jihad Azour

Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund

Latest News

Oil soars more than 6% as Trump rules out Iran deal, threatens more strikes

A cargo ship is pictured off coast of the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in Sharjah Emirate, along the Gulf of Oman on June 28, 2026.

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

A specialist inspects a U.S Air Force F-15 Eagle fighter after a certification of the arresting gear in the military air base in Lielvarde, Latvia, May 19, 2016. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins - D1AETEYRKSAA

Qatar claims proposed sanctions on Hamas threaten F-15 sales

Qatar lobbyists say the pressure on Doha could jeopardize a $6.2 billion deal signed under President Donald Trump.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) approaches to shake hands with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani during a meeting in Moscow, Russia, January 18, 2016. REUTERS/Yuri Kochetkov/Pool - GF20000098937

Russia, Qatar move forward on military cooperation

The Kremlin tightens its military relationship with Qatar, with Doha finalizing the purchase of S-400 air missile defense systems from Russia.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan chats with Jordan's King Abdullah as they pose for a group photo during an extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey, December 13, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal - RC1F351E9400

Jordan and Turkey get cozy

Jordan and Turkey are boosting political, trade and economic ties amid regional challenges and shared interests in the outcome of nearby conflicts.

Members of Egypt's Olympic team attend a welcome ceremony held at the athletes village of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 1, 2016. / AFP / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Egypt invests to curb sports 'game drain' to other states

As Qatar and other countries lure Egyptian athletes with lucrative offers, Banque Misr has launched the Egyptian Sports Fund to support its national teams.

Unpaid Gaza employees lash out at Qatari ambassador

Some hospital maintenance workers who haven't been paid in months expressed their frustration while the Qatari ambassador was visiting the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian woman sits on a donkey car after receiving food supplies from the United Nations' offices in the southern Gaza Strip February 11, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa - RC11BF8E4BA0

Will the crisis in Gaza finally force Israel to lift its siege?

Qatar and the UAE have donated money to ease the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but such assistance will likely only postpone an implosion in the absence of arriving at a solution to the enclave's isolation and lifting of the Israeli blockade.

United Arab Emirates

Conference for Iraq draws investors instead of donors

The reported success — and failure — of a fundraising effort for Iraq could become a political football in the May general elections.

A Palestinian boy who lives in a container as a temporary replacement for his house that was destroyed in the 2014 war, looks out on a rainy day in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip December 15, 2016. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RC1DAD9F6BE0

Will Israel, Qatar cooperate to save Gaza?

US Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt called for Israel and Qatar to cooperate in order to save the Gaza Strip from a humanitarian crisis.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi attends the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries in Xiamen in southeastern China’s Fujian Province, Sept. 5, 2017. REUTERS/Mark Schiefelbein/Pool - RC171B1A3CC0

What’s behind Sisi’s recent trip to Oman?

While Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is calling on Tehran and Riyadh to cool their tensions, Egypt is strengthening its ties to Oman, which has become a stable and trustworthy ally.

Buildings are seen on a coast line in Doha, Qatar June 5, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer - RC19BDD1CE80

Qatar visit to the US aims to break Gulf gridlock

Qatar is using a high-level visit to Washington to get the Donald Trump administration’s support to broker a deal to end the monthslong Saudi-led embargo.

A Turkish military tank is seen near Mount Barsaya, northeast of Afrin, Syria January 23, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC17EC8A27B0

GCC's silence on Turkey’s Afrin adventure is telling

The Sunni Gulf states have failed to make a unified statement on Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Syria, a sign of their competing interests.

Award-winning talk show for Arab youth tackles religion, sex

An Arabic-language talk show gives Arab youth a space to speak and express themselves on everything from religion to sex.