Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Dana Awartani’s art of remembrance in Venice Also this week: French-Asian bites in Jeddah and Saudi art in Doha By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Saudi FM in Turkey as Ankara, Riyadh step up coordination amid Iran war Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s visit to Ankara comes amid rapidly expanding Turkish-Saudi coordination as the fallout from the Iran war reshapes Gulf security dynamics. Turkey
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Saudi Arabia awards $490m contract for museum in Diriyah Also this week: Smash burgers in Riyadh and Saudi maps in Venice By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis UAE’s OPEC exit rattles cartel as Gulf alliances shift OPEC's fourth-largest producer will leave the cartel on May 1, marking the most significant departure in the group’s history as the war changes Abu Dhabi's relationship priorities. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Beware of the failure of Yemen’s central bank The Central Bank of Yemen continues to set new policies to tackle the rising inflation and devaluation of the Yemeni rial, knowing its policies will not be effective as long as there is no political will to stabilize the situation. Saudi Arabia
Saudi king’s Cabinet reshuffle may 'rattle many royal spines' Saudi Arabia's deputy crown prince is quickly accumulating power, responsibility — and risks — perhaps at the expense of his cousin, who is currently next in line for the throne. Saudi Arabia
Red Sea island transfer revives Egypt-Sudan border dispute Hot on the heels of Egypt's recent ceding of Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, the country's row with Sudan over the Halayeb and Shalateen triangle has resurfaced. Saudi Arabia
Four reasons Sisi won’t turn against Iran The Saudi efforts to forge an alliance with Egypt come in the context of Riyadh’s efforts to expand its anti-Iran coalition. But will Saudi Arabia succeed in bringing Egypt onboard? Saudi Arabia
Saudi IS members killing their own relatives The control demonstrated by the Islamic State over some young Saudi minds apparently exceeds even that of prominent Muslim leaders. Saudi Arabia
Five years after bin Laden’s death, mystery surrounding Saudi Arabia and 9/11 remains A congressionally mandated FBI report into possible foreign support for the Sept. 11 attacks deserves more attention. Saudi Arabia
Aleppo on verge of decisive battle UN Syria envoy calls for “urgent initiative” as Syrian offensive in Aleppo appears imminent; the question at the heart of the Aramco IPO offer. Saudi Arabia
Oman and Iran: friends with many benefits Oman is willing to brave the GCC's disapproval to take advantage of opportunities with and for Iran. Legacy: Gulf
Sisi moves into damage control following island transfer uproar The decision to concede sovereignty of islands was poorly received by the Egyptian public. Saudi Arabia
Saudis refine blueprint for post-oil economy Establishment of the Public Investment Fund to diversify Saudi Arabia's sources of income must be coupled with a sound strategy to achieve the country's goals. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan, Davutoglu shed tears for Gaza, but do little else Turkey as well as the oil-rich Gulf states have still not fulfilled their pledges to help with the reconstruction and development of Gaza. Legacy: Gulf
Salafi armed groups increase attacks in Syria UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura warns that the cessation of hostilities is in “great trouble.” Saudi Arabia