Analysis Global brands still can’t shake Israel boycotts hitting Starbucks, McDonald’s Consumer backlash continues hitting the bottom line of multinationals as the Gaza war nears the one-year mark. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Netflix in crosshairs as Middle East streaming competition mounts Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Interview Nomo Bank sees increasing appetite for Islamic investments, ETFs Paul Szumilewicz, chief revenue officer at UK-based Nomo Bank, said there is a growing demand from the bank’s clients to invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) — a pre-defined group of bonds, stocks or commodities poured into a fund and listed on the stock exchange. With Paul Szumilewicz Nomo Bank Chief Revenue Officer
Analysis Will Saudis’ $1.5B cash infusion help Lucid compete with Tesla? The Saudi-backed electric vehicle maker Lucid has never been profitable, but the kingdom remains strategically committed to it amid the growing EV market in the Gulf. By Adam Lucente , Jack Dutton
Analysis What to expect as Russia's oil and gas woes impact Middle East By Paul J. Saunders In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East
Analysis Saudi Arabia lures in Turkey’s defense giants as its military industry grows By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
A new page in Israeli-Saudi relations? Not so fast With US President Donald Trump soon out of the picture, the Saudis prefer to take things slow with Israel, and await the new Biden administration. Saudi Arabia
Are there signs of thaw in Turkish-Saudi relations? A phone call between the Turkish and Saudi leaders generated hopes for thawing of relations between Ankara and Riyadh, but significant roadblocks must be removed to end bellicose affairs. Saudi Arabia
Gulf oil producers scramble to catch up on renewables The coronavirus pandemic has pushed Gulf leaders to realize the region needs to accelerate its shift toward renewables; environmental activists accuse the Gulf states of double-talk. Gulf
Will reopening of border crossing drive Saudi investment in Iraq? Iraq and Saudi Arabia are opening the Arar border crossing, a move that should boost Saudi investment in Iraq. Saudi Arabia
Progressives divided over Biden’s expected pick for Pentagon chief Michele Flournoy's stated openness to curtailing offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates may have reduced opposition from progressive Democrats Saudi Arabia
Women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul to stand trial in Saudi Arabia Loujain al-Hathloul will appear in a Saudi court Wednesday more than two years after she was first detained in a crackdown on human rights defenders. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia will make coronavirus vaccines free to residents The kingdom hopes to vaccinate up to 70% of its population by the end of 2021. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu, MBS concur on Iran, but normalization no closer In their briefly secret meeting in Neom, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed on the common threat from Iran, but did not make progress toward normalization. Saudi Arabia
Gantz slams Netanyahu over leak of alleged secret meeting with Saudi crown prince Saudi and Israeli sources have confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew yesterday to Saudi Arabia and met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, leaked news that Defense Minister Benny Gantz called irresponsible. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s dire rights record looms over G-20 summit Riyadh’s hosting of the annual summit has drawn criticism from a broad coalition of human rights groups. Saudi Arabia
Iraq-Saudi border crossing reopens after 30 years The Arar crossing has remained closed since Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Saudi Arabia
Gulf oil exporters look past Biden’s green energy platform The possible return of Iranian crude to global markets is a short-term concern for Gulf oil producers, which expect to be the last man standing in a decarbonizing world. Saudi Arabia