Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Zayed National Museum opens in Abu Dhabi Also this week: Apollo lands in Palm Jumeirah, 421 turns 10, and Design Miami heads to Dubai By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Yemen's STC separatists advance in Hadramout as UAE-Saudi rift grows The fighting between the UAE-backed southern separatists and Saudi-aligned tribal forces, nominal allies against the Houthis, has raised concerns about the division of Yemen. Yemen
Turkey defense firms break record with $10B in revenues: SIPRI Turkey set a new record with five companies in the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's Top 100 for 2024, which included nine Middle Eastern countries for the first time amid conflict-driven arms demand. Turkey
Analysis US-Gulf critical minerals ties grow in bid to weaken China’s grip on industry Saudi Arabia and the UAE are emerging as indispensable partners to the United States in its efforts to “friend-shore” a strategic sector and supply chains dominated by China. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis South Korea’s $15B jet offer expands UAE's options as US moves to sell Saudis F-35s By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Abu Dhabi opens Middle East’s largest natural history museum By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
UAE, Saudi, Iran, Egypt, Turkey FMs attend Russia's BRICS meeting The BRICS foreign ministers meeting focused on diplomatic developments related to the Gaza war and efforts to ditch the US dollar in international trade, among other matters. Egypt
OPEC chief defends oil cut phase-out plans despite bearish market The markets reacted bearishly OPEC+'s Sunday output decision, worrying it could lead to oversupply later in 2024 despite slow demand growth. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia joins China, UAE in digital currency project The kingdom is joining the Switzerland-based Bank for International Settlements' central bank digital currency platform. Saudi Arabia
In rare clash with Iran, China reaffirms solidarity with UAE over disputed islands Iran seized control of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs several decades ago, though the United Arab Emirates has long claimed sovereignty over the islands, a claim backed by Gulf states and Russia. Iran
Analysis Can Gulf investors outstrip China in Africa as UAE expands reach? As the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC states boost investments in Africa,Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative could face serious challenges. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Middle East economic outlook caught between low growth, high debt convergence Karen Young In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy
UAE main destination for smuggled African gold, report claims Swissaid estimates that 405 metric tons of gold, mostly mined by small-scale or artisanal miners, were smuggled out of Africa in 2022 and ended up in the UAE. United Arab Emirates
South Korea, UAE ink trade deal lifting tariffs on over 90% of imports The agreement was signed by ministers at a summit in the capital Seoul during the UAE president's first state visit. United Arab Emirates
UAE president arrives in South Korea to talk defense, energy, business ties The visit, the first by the Emirati president, aims to enhance the already strong ties between the two countries. United Arab Emirates
Malaysia courts Gulf investment and economic ties, but Saudi relations remain question mark Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Gaza war complicates IMEC plans even as Gulf-India ties warm The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor's progress is facing some difficulties related to geopolitical complexities, funding and conflicts in the Red Sea and Gaza. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
UAE president to finesse ties in upcoming Beijing visit amid US-China rivalry The Emirati president's first trip to China in two years comes as ties to the People’s Republic are strengthening across a variety of sectors. United Arab Emirates