Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan The proposed framework faces major hurdles and fault lines, ranging from NATO constraints to Israeli opposition and weak military integration. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
In Lebanon, Saudi Arabia pursues quiet diplomacy as Trump pushes Israel normalization Saudi Arabia has been engaged in intense diplomacy in Lebanon in recent days, leading up to the extension of a ceasefire with Israel. Lebanon
Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Ithra brings MENA design to Milan Also this week: Lana Khayat at Art Dubai and Najdi dining in Diriyah By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse NEOM’s new logistics look By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh BIENALSUR brings global art to Diriyah Also this week: Peruvian flavors, Islamic artistry and Saudi light art. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis Saudi Arabia diversifies with new China naval drills, but military remains Western-centric Expanding Saudi-Chinese defense cooperation mirrors the broader deepening of Saudi-Chinese diplomatic and economic relations. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Interview Gulf real estate investors choose UK over US amid political instability The London-based lender is seeing an increase in demand from Gulf investors in UK real estate as US markets have become less predictable. Khaled Alanani Head of real estate finance and investments, Bank of London and The Middle East
Newsletter: China-Middle East China's inroads in Saudi defense industry Saudi Arabia and China kicked off their third bilateral naval drill this week, a move that demonstrates Beijing’s growing role not only as an economic partner, but as a defense one as well for Riyadh. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Singapore's DBS Group, Banque Saudi Fransi ink Asia-Gulf trade deal Trade between Southeast Asia and the GCC reached about $130.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow by another $50 billion by 2027, according to the Singaporean lender. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Vivienne Westwood debuts at Riyadh Fashion Week Also this week: Red Sea luxury, desert art, Expo countdown and Saudi wellness. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Hong Kong exchange expands Gulf presence with new Dubai commodities arm The emirate has positioned itself as a global commodities trading hub, with the UAE ranking second globally after the US in last year’s Commodity Trade Index. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia grants citizenship to Uber co-founder, Red Sea Global CEO Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick and Red Sea Global CEO John Pagano have been granted Saudi citizenship. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai From desert to stage: Perform Sharjah returns Also this week: Emirati minimalism, Tunisian calligraphy and Abu Dhabi's cultural ascent. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Filwa Nazer explores the boundaries between body and space Also this week: Riyadh’s homegrown brunch spot, Arabic calligraphy and Italian design. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Business & Tech Dar Global, Trump eye Saudi megaprojects Gulf economies saw major moves this week, from new Trump-linked real estate ventures to multibillion-dollar logistics, energy, and consumer investments. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi investment minister visits Morocco, Senegal on Africa trade drive Saudi Arabia has pledged more than $41 billion in investment in sub-Saharan Africa over the next decade. Saudi Arabia