Analysis Gulf’s citizenship industry poised for growth amid new global uncertainty Flexible visa programs have emerged in the Middle East, fueled by wealthy Gulf states competing to attract foreign investors and skilled professionals as part of their economic diversification strategies. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
UAE Middle East's most economically competitive country in 2024: IMD In the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, the UAE climbed three places to seventh in the world, out of 67 countries. Saudi Arabia ranked at 16th, Bahrain at 21st, Kuwait at 37th, Jordan at 48th and Turkey at 53rd. United Arab Emirates
Gulf states reach out to new Syrian leaders ahead of Jordan talks: What we know Bahrain's King Hamad sent a letter to HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, while the UAE has held direct contact with opposition groups. Qatar is set to reopen embassy in Damascus soon. Syria
Qatar to reopen embassy in Syria after 13 years Doha is looking to engage with the Islamist-led government in Syria after severing relations 13 years ago over deposed President Bashar al-Assad's brutal crackdown. Syria
China embraces debt listings to tap into Gulf’s pool of wealth By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Analysis Saudi Arabia to pursue two-track approach for Trump presidency By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
COVID accelerates evolution of Gulf economies The economic policy response to COVID-19 is an acceleration of specific trends already underway across the Gulf Cooperation Council members, variously affecting tax policy, labor market regulation and immigration policy. Saudi Arabia
New Kuwaiti Cabinet takes office after dispute with parliament The government will be tasked with tending to the country's financial difficulties and the pandemic following a dispute between the prime minister and parliament. Originals
UAE, Qatar officials meet in Kuwait amid Gulf thaw Kuwait hosted delegations from the two countries more than a month after Saudi Arabia and its allies agreed to end their blockade on Qatar. United Arab Emirates
How Egypt-Gulf consensus can advance peace in Yemen Egypt agreed with the Gulf states on the need to limit Iranian influence in Yemen and support the recent US inclination to end the Yemen war. Egypt
Egypt's parliament holds back on Qatar normalization Egyptian parliament members have recently expressed their rejection of reconciliation with Qatar, claiming its attacks against the Egyptian state on its media channels continue. Originals
Egypt, Bahrain adopt 'wait and see' approach to reconciliation with Qatar Egypt awaits Qatar to take actions on the ground in accordance with Al-Ula Declaration that ended the boycott of Doha, but amid concerns that Qatar will bail out on its commitments. Bahrain
US may help keep GCC reconciliation on track It is unclear how firm or shaky the ground is for Gulf Cooperation Council nations' reconciliation with Qatar, but they may be on more or less good behavior to start off as well as possible with the Biden administration. Gulf
Gulf states prepared to support Iraqi sovereignty, fight terrorism: GCC Secretary General Strengthened Iraq-GCC relations could bolster stability in the country and lessen Baghdad's dependence on Iran. Iraq
Egypt says it is renewing diplomatic relations with Qatar Qatar Airways also announced the resumption of its Cairo route as the Gulf rift comes closer to an official end. Qatar
Qatar renews Gaza aid amid Gulf reconciliation Qatar has agreed to renew its grant to the Gaza Strip despite reconciliation with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, which previously requested Doha cut ties with Hamas. Palestine
Diplomacy in the Gulf follows the money Recent diplomatic moves among Gulf states closely align with efforts to attract new investment. Originals
