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
Saudi sports push targets NFL with flag football series featuring Tom Brady The Public Investment Fund is not yet investing in the National Football League amid restrictions on state entities, but is eyeing flag football as the sport grows in the region. Saudi Arabia
Iran’s Larijani meets MBS, Saudi defense chiefs in Riyadh: What to know The trip is Ali Larijani’s third since he returned to head the Supreme National Security Council and follows Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian calling for greater unity in the region. Iran
Culture Saudi Arabia dreams of Hollywood as $150M epic 'Desert Warrior' debuts Backed by government funding, the kingdom aims to become a global filmmaking hub with the $150 million epic 'Desert Warrior' and other high-profile productions. Saudi Arabia
Analysis KFC’s Turkey relaunch tests Western brands’ resilience in Gaza boycott era From KFC to Carrefour, the Middle East's consumer brand landscape is undergoing significant shifts as the two-year anniversary of boycotts linked to the Gaza war approaches. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Saudi Arabia launches 24-hour women’s sports channel: What to know The launch coincides with the start of the Saudi Women’s Premier League season, which will see the soccer competition broadcast nationally and globally for the first time. Saudi Arabia
Saudi crown prince vows to ground soaring property prices: What to know Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman vowed to implement policies aimed at reducing real estate costs and providing a wider range of housing options. Saudi Arabia
Hong Kong inks agreements with Gulf partners at BRI Summit Some 36 business agreements covering finance, technology, logistics, professional services and education were set to be signed at the event. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh From Jeddah to Bukhara: AlMusalla Prize Also this week: Saudi fashion in Venice, opera deals and Riyadh luxury. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Saudi firm to pump $700M into economic zone developer in Africa The kingdom's Vision Invest will invest in pan-African developer Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms, which will use the funds to expand across the continent and develop green industrial ecosystems. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: Business & Tech Revolut makes Middle East entry with UAE approval This week’s newsletter looks at Egypt’s $18 billion Gulf-backed tourism project, Revolut’s entry into the Middle East via the UAE, and a new India-Israel investment pact, alongside fresh moves in the Gulf’s AI race. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Trump aims to crack Gulf's armed drone market with looser export restrictions Washington's latest reinterpretation of the 35-nation MTCR agreement is expected to open the door for a potential major sale of advanced aerial weaponry to Saudi Arabia. United States
Saudi Arabia, UAE firms sign $18.5B tourism megaproject for Egypt The new deal forms part of Egypt’s Vision 2030 agenda as the government aims to secure $42 billion in foreign direct investment this year. Egypt