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
UAE awards China’s WeRide first license to operate self-driving cars The UAE permit will allow the Guangzhou-based driving technology company to test its level 4 human-free and fully autonomous vehicles on public roads throughout the emirates. United Arab Emirates
At OPEC, Saudi Arabia defends oil cuts with Russia despite mild market reaction The kingdom's energy minister called for more industry transparency, despite several news organizations being prohibited from reporting on the OPEC conference he was speaking at. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia leads AI global index for strategy as Israel tops Mideast rankings Saudi Arabia topped the global chart for AI government strategy, which measures the depth of national spending commitments and strategies, while other Middle East and North Africa (MENA) states lagged further behind, beginning in 23rd place. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, UAE invest $6 billion in Iraq operations The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia will join together to boost trade and commerce in Iraq. Iraq
Saudi Arabia extends oil production cut in attempt to increase prices Russia also moved to tighten supply, announcing it would reduce oil exports to 500,000 bpd in August. Saudi Arabia
Gulf investors shape US-China tech competition, from Silicon Valley to Shenzen Facing a funding drought, big name US venture capitalists have been descending on the Gulf in search of fresh funds. Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
As protests continue against Sweden, OIC to meet in Saudi on Quran burning Member states are set to discuss measures to be taken against attacks on the Muslim holy book. Turkey
9 Middle East universities, 3 in Saudi Arabia make world’s top 300 schools Nearly 150 universities from the MENA region are featured in a list of the world’s top universities. Saudi Arabia
Blinken: US warned Israel that West Bank tensions could undermine Saudi normalization Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it would be tough, if not impossible, to deepen and expand the Abraham Accords if the violence continues in the West Bank. Israel
Millions of Muslims mark Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia after hajj pilgrimage Muslims in the region are celebrating Eid al-Adha despite soaring prices. Saudi Arabia
British sustainable fuel startup eyes Middle Eastern market OXCCU looks to lower the cost of sustainable aviation fuel to make it a more attractive option for airlines to buy instead of fossil fuels. Legacy: Gulf
Top Saudi officials travel to China to attend 'Summer Davos' as ties deepen The kingdom’s economy minister and other top officials will participate in the so-called Summer Davos as China-Saudi ties continue to gain momentum. Legacy: Gulf