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Saudi Arabia

December 24, 2025

Riyadh 12:55 am

13°C

Saleh Al-OBEIDI / AFP via Getty Images

Yemeni ministries declare support for STC campaign as Gulf tensions flare

Yemen's Saudi-backed government criticized the statements in support of the Southern Transitional Council, which is supported by the UAE, as Gulf states deliberate on how to move forward.

Traffic moves on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai on March 24, 2025.

Analysis

Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi

The Gulf’s top financial hubs have posted another strong year in 2025, with the UAE spearheading a regional push to attract hedge funds, asset managers, crypto and fintech firms as regional neighbors target growth of their own.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Solar panels in a Sinai desert, Egypt.

Egypt lands $572M UAE-backed solar deal, expanding Gulf's clean-energy footprint

Gulf companies have been increasing their investments in North African renewable energy.

Latest News

Saudi Arabia cements ties with Sudan during Burhan visit as UAE rivalry heats up

Sudanese leader Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Dec. 15, 2025.

Exclusive

Inside Netanyahu’s pressure campaign to block Turkey, Saudi Arabia from acquiring F-35s

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (L) talks to U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the coastal city of Jeddah before heading to the capital Riyadh for talks with Gulf Arab officials

US remains invested in Gulf partnerships, Blinken tells diplomats

Agence France-Presse

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on June 6, 2023

Blinken meets with Saudi Arabia's MBS, US cites 'convergence' on issues

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Al-Monitor that he and the crown prince discussed "a lot" during their meeting.

The Canadian Military in an armoured personel carrier drive away from a house that is flooding after dropping off people to sandbag because of high water levels on the Red River in Winnipeg, Manitoba 30 April. The water on the Red River continues to rise and over 20,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. AFP PHOTO/Carlo ALLEGRI (Photo credit should read CARLO ALLEGRI/AFP via Getty Images)

Canada’s arms exports boom to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Qatar

Some 92% of Saudi Arabia's purchases were armored combat vehicles with most of the shipments coming from a $15 billion contract reached in 2014 but only approved for export by Canada’s current government.

GettyImages-1252536130

Middle East airlines expected to rebound from pandemic by 2024: IATA

The industry body, which represents some 300 airlines, expects air traffic to double in the Middle East to 550 million annual passengers by 2040.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, June 5, 2023.

Analysis

Venezuela's Maduro visit to Saudi Arabia is another signal to US

Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Relations Yvan Gil said Monday that cooperation projects in oil and gas, petrochemicals and infrastructure were addressed in Jeddah.

By Salim A. Essaid

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Saudi-backed LIV Golf merges with US rival PGA Tour

The shocking news settles the legal battles between the two and follows significant tensions surrounding the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s foray into golf.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

Blinken heads to Saudi Arabia with Israel ties on agenda

Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s much-anticipated visit to the kingdom comes after years of strain over the price of oil and human rights.

Flags of Saudi Arabia and Israel stand together in a kitchen staging area as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds meetings at the State Department in Washington, DC, October 14, 2021. (Photo by JONATHAN ERNST / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN ERNST/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel undecided on Saudi Arabia's demand for civil nuclear technology

Israel’s security establishment is categorically opposed to the possibility of Saudi Arabia obtaining civil nuclear capabilities, but the political echelon in Israel has not made up its mind yet.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Kandahar IMDB

Saudi Arabia’s film industry ready to boom, but won’t lack drama

Saudi Arabia and its immense financial firepower are poised to play a disruptive role in film and TV production.

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves as he leaves Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia on May 30, 2023, after a summit with other South American leaders. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is hosting his fellow South American leaders Tuesday for a "retreat" aimed at strengthening ties in a region where left-wing governments are newly back in style. (Photo by Sergio Lima / AFP) (Photo by SERGIO LIMA/AFP via Getty Images)

Why is Venezuela's Maduro visiting Saudi Arabia?

The Venezuelan president's visit to the kingdom is the first since 2015, on his way back from Turkey where he attended Recep Tayyip Erdogan's inauguration.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran set to reopen embassy in Saudi Arabia after 7 years of closure

The move is the latest sign of rapprochement between the two countries since reaching a China-brokered deal to resume ties.

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema to join Saudi club Al-Ittihad, confirms Real Madrid exit

The Frenchman's contract with the Saudi side is understood to be for two years with the option to extend for a further season.