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 Also this week: Kraken Dubai, Sotheby’s major Collectors’ Week and fresh art openings By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Feature Saudi Arabia leans on AI for real estate growth as gigaprojects slow By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis UAE bets big on Pakistan: Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure drive for Asia influence Abu Dhabi is making multi-pronged investments in a broad push into Pakistan’s transport and trade sectors. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Newsletter: City Pulse Dubai Desert dialogues: Ammar Al Attar’s lens Building heights and cultural depths: Dubai’s new landmark, artistic reflections and and Sharjah films in India. By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
China-made flying car makes first test flight in UAE: What to know The Chinese company is facing competition from a US firm that is currently developing an air taxi service in Dubai. United Arab Emirates
Hong Kong inks agreements with Gulf partners at BRI Summit Some 36 business agreements covering finance, technology, logistics, professional services and education were set to be signed at the event. Saudi Arabia
Saudi firm to pump $700M into economic zone developer in Africa The kingdom's Vision Invest will invest in pan-African developer Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms, which will use the funds to expand across the continent and develop green industrial ecosystems. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: Business & Tech Revolut makes Middle East entry with UAE approval This week’s newsletter looks at Egypt’s $18 billion Gulf-backed tourism project, Revolut’s entry into the Middle East via the UAE, and a new India-Israel investment pact, alongside fresh moves in the Gulf’s AI race. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
UAE president visits Qatar, bans Israel from Dubai Airshow after Doha strikes UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan threw his country’s support behind Qatar, saying the Israeli strikes on Qatari territory violated international laws. Qatar
UAE’s new AI K2 Think chases DeepSeek moment in Gulf tech race The Gulf state has launched K2 Think, an open-source reasoning model designed to speedily and efficiently tackle math and logic problems. United Arab Emirates
UK's Revolut enters Middle East fintech market with UAE licenses The Central Bank of the UAE has granted Revolut in-principle approval for stored value facilities and retail payment services licenses. United Arab Emirates
China calls on BRICS to boost multilateral trade as Iran, UAE eye closer ties The UAE’s and Egypt’s trade with BRICS members is on the rise, while Iran’s efforts to increase economic ties are complicated by sanctions. China
Cyprus courts UAE amid Greek pressure on subsea cable: What to know The project has been beset with delays due to longstanding disagreements between NATO members Greece and Turkey over territory in the Eastern Mediterranean. United Arab Emirates
Trump aims to crack Gulf's armed drone market with looser export restrictions Washington's latest reinterpretation of the 35-nation MTCR agreement is expected to open the door for a potential major sale of advanced aerial weaponry to Saudi Arabia. United States