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
Saudi travel ban slams Egypt's religious tourism industry Seeking to curb the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended tourism to its holy sites to the detriment of Egypt's travel industry as the pilgrimage season approaches. Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s Hadi hopes new governor calms Mahra tensions In the wake of clashes between Saudi forces and local tribesmen in Mahra province, Yemen’s president appointed a new governor in the hope of preventing further violence. Legacy: Gulf
Russia explores way to draw UAE, Saudi Arabia to its Syria policies As relations with Turkey stall, Moscow seeks ways to engage with the Saudis and Emiratis to have them back in the Syrian game. Saudi Arabia
Yemen's warring sides agree to swap over 1,400 detainees As several signed agreements by Yemeni warring sides still stumble, it's hard to predict if this major swap will be implemented amid rising tension in the wake of the downing of a Tornado jet in north Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia steps up role in Libya Saudi Arabia is reported to be providing greater financing to forces associated with Libyan strongman Khalifa Hifter in order to counter Turkey's intervention on the side of Libya's Government of National Accord. Saudi Arabia
Edelman strikes $6 million deal with Saudis to promote G-20 business summit Saudi petrochemicals company SABIC has hired the Chicago-based PR giant to support this year’s Business 20 gathering in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Trump-linked lobbyist turns from Gulf Arabs to more toxic clients Robert Stryk’s Sonoran Policy Group is hemorrhaging both clients and employees. Saudi Arabia
What do the Houthis need from Cairo? Egypt made sure that Egyptian fishermen safely returned home from Yemen as Yemeni patients arrive in Cairo for treatment as part of efforts to resolve Yemen’s conflict. Saudi Arabia
Dar al-Ifta joins in Egypt-Turkey culture war Amid heightened tensions between Cairo and Ankara, culture is emerging as the new battlefront as each party offers its own version of the Ottoman era. Saudi Arabia
How Houthi forces won key Yemeni district Houthi rebels take over Yemen's strategic Nahm district, defeating Yemeni government forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition. Saudi Arabia
Peace with the region is not a peace plan The Trump peace plan is flawed because it has more to do with building a coalition against Iran rather than with promoting peace between Israelis and the Palestinians. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia turns to Democrat-tied lobbyists for Capitol Hill relationship advice The Williams Group is the 10th firm hired by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Washington and the ministry of foreign affairs. Saudi Arabia