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
Work on Israel-Saudi land bridge has begun, Israeli Foreign Ministry confirms The project will facilitate the transfer of goods in trucks intially between the UAE, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Israel
Japan’s PM visits UAE after Saudi Arabia, talks green energy, supply sources Japan is trying to move away from fossil fuels toward greener energy, which it plans to promote in the region during Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the Gulf this week. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia outranks US for expat life, Kuwait ranks worst Saudi Arabia was found to be the 28th best country to live in as an expatriate while the United States ranked 30th, according to a Tuesday report. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia imports record volumes of discounted Russian fuel oil in June Europe used to be the top market for Russian oil and petroleum products but all that has changed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Public Investment Fund reports $11 billion loss for 2022 Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund reports its assets have risen from $676 billion to about $778 billion in 2022 in a rare gesture of transparency for the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Congress grills PGA Tour on relationship with Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf US Senator Richard Blumenthal, who led the hearing on the deal between the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the US golf circuit, told Al-Monitor that many questions remain unanswered. Legacy: Gulf
Pakistan thanks 'brotherly' Saudis for $2 billion ahead of IMF bailout decision Pakistan received Saudi Arabia's $2 billion deposit a day before the International Monetary Fund is expected to approve a $3 billion bailout on Wednesday that the country desperately needs. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Saudi Arabia, Kuwait's gas dispute with Iran tests recent detente Kuwait and Saudi Arabia consider the Durra gas field to be theirs, but Iran claims a part of it. The issue shows disagreements remain between Riyadh and Tehran following the resumption of diplomatic relations. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
UN experts urge Saudi Arabia to release two women detained over tweets In a report, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention condemned the use of a vague counterterrorism law against rights activists in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
UAE breaks foreign direct investment record as Saudi Arabia sees 59% dip Israel and the United Arab Emirates led the Middle East and North Africa for the highest FDI inflow — the purchasing of assets in another country — and globally placed 15th and 16th, respectively, according to a UNCTAD report released Wednesday. United Arab Emirates
UAE COP28 president calls on oil firms to 'deliver climate action' Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber gave a televised address to delegates at the OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, a meeting of oil executives and OPEC ministers. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia to launch new sports investment group: report The Financial Times report follows the merger between the Saudi-funded LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, but challenges remain as the kingdom eyes investment in golf, tennis and possibly American football. Legacy: Gulf