Newsletter: Gulf GCC approves military command center as tensions simmer Gulf states are moving to strengthen their collective military capabilities by establishing a new command center in Kuwait. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Newsletter: FutureVerse Does Middle East have Nvidia problem? Nvidia shares tumbled this week as the company launched an independent investigation, sparking fallout that could reach all the way to the Middle East. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Explainer UAE selling Saudi oil highlights new Gulf energy realities News surfaced on Nov. 10 that the UAE has reportedly marketed 1.87 million barrels of Saudi crude salvaged from a damaged supertanker for sale, marking an exceptional example of energy cooperation between Gulf rivals. United Arab Emirates
GCC to build military command center in Kuwait as region simmers: What to know GCC countries have stepped up their joint defense efforts with the announcement of a new forward command center to be headquartered in Kuwait, as tensions between Iran and the US continue to escalate. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Syria denies sending troops to fight Houthis in return for Saudi loans By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Gulf’s $3 trillion US investment drive faces post-midterm Trump reckoning By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf states step up China diplomacy as Trump’s lame-duck session nears By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Gantz slams Netanyahu over leak of alleged secret meeting with Saudi crown prince Saudi and Israeli sources have confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew yesterday to Saudi Arabia and met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, leaked news that Defense Minister Benny Gantz called irresponsible. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s dire rights record looms over G-20 summit Riyadh’s hosting of the annual summit has drawn criticism from a broad coalition of human rights groups. Saudi Arabia
Iraq-Saudi border crossing reopens after 30 years The Arar crossing has remained closed since Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Saudi Arabia
Gulf oil exporters look past Biden’s green energy platform The possible return of Iranian crude to global markets is a short-term concern for Gulf oil producers, which expect to be the last man standing in a decarbonizing world. Saudi Arabia
Islamic State claims responsibility for Jeddah attack The explosion at the World War II commemoration follows a stabbing at the French Consulate in Jeddah last month. Saudi Arabia
End of kafala no panacea for Egyptian workers in Saudi Arabia Although Egypt officially welcomes the end of the kafala system in Saudi Arabia, some observers worry the changes will be largely cosmetic as abusive work contracts remain in place. Saudi Arabia
Saudis say Biden’s threats are ‘election talk' Although there are political tensions on human rights issues, the US-Saudi relationship could be vital for the United States to address Russian and Chinese influence in the Middle East region. Saudi Arabia
Bomb goes off at event attended by Western diplomats in Saudi Arabia A Greek Consulate employee and a Saudi guard were injured in an attack at a cemetery in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia
Iraq, Saudi Arabia agree to boost ties A high-level Saudi delegation visited Baghdad to sign several economic and investment agreements in order to create a balance between Iraq's neighboring countries. Saudi Arabia
Egypt holds its first Islamic exhibition in Saudi Arabia Egypt is trying to attract Saudi tourists by holding an exhibition of Egyptian Islamic antiquities in Saudi Arabia, which includes 84 artifacts from the collections of Islamic art in Cairo. Saudi Arabia
G20 should press Saudi Arabia on jailed activists, rights group says Pressure is building on Riyadh ahead of the annual G20 summit later this month. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia to ease restrictions on foreign workers The labor overhaul will allow foreign workers to leave the country without their employers' approval. Saudi Arabia