UAE’s Sheikh Tahnoon discusses AI, tech with Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk in US His meetings came after UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed met earlier this week with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Why UAE's upgrade to US 'major defense partner' will not deter China While the designation comes with many benefits for the UAE, placing it on par with India, it lacks the formal security guarantees provided to other nations, including South Korea and Japan. By Joyce Karam In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East
Uber, China's WeRide to launch self-driving robotaxis in UAE WeRide already operates the largest robotaxi fleet in the UAE, where residents can access its robotaxi services through the TXAI app. United Arab Emirates
US declares UAE 'major defense partner,' seeking to outbid China The move put the US-UAE military relationship on the same footing as that between the United States and India. United Arab Emirates
Analysis UAE president to visit White House as frustrations mount over Gaza endgame By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s diverging regional coronavirus strategy The United Arab Emirates is showing openness to Iran during the coronavirus crisis, which could point to the UAE’s aim to break loose of the policies of its tradition Saudi ally. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Key Democrat says Yemen war restrictions 'on the table' in major defense bill House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., told Al-Monitor today that Democrats are considering renewing last year’s push to cut off US support to the Saudi-led coalition that is fighting Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels as part of Congress’ annual defense authorization bill. Saudi Arabia
20,000 Pakistanis in UAE stranded by coronavirus lockdown Travel restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of the novel coronavirus have left thousands of Pakistanis stranded in the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates
Battle for air supremacy heats up in Libya despite COVID-19 outbreak The warring parties in Libya are locked in a battle to gain the upper hand in the skies, the outcome of which will determine who grabs the strategic advantage in the conflict. Saudi Arabia
Riyadh Agreement at risk of collapse in southern Yemen Tensions flare between Saudi and UAE aligned forces. Saudi Arabia
How the pandemic, plummeting oil prices could reshape Middle East COVID-19 will weaken fragile states, raising risk of failure but creating openings for diplomacy. Saudi Arabia
How COVID-19 will change GCC labor markets A siren is blaring for local labor markets as the global pandemic and falling oil revenues begin to upend the Gulf states' economies. Saudi Arabia
Dubai propping up Emirates airline with fresh capital amid coronavirus travel slump With nearly all of its flights grounded, Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum plans to inject equity into Emirates airline to keep it afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. United Arab Emirates
Coronavirus cease-fire offers pause in Yemen war Despite a cease-fire among the parties to Yemen's civil war, the Saudi-led coalition announced it had downed three Houthi drones. Saudi Arabia
Intel: US conducts separate military drills with UAE, Israel despite coronavirus United Arab Emirates
Artists reflect on age of anxiety in Sharjah A group of contemporary artists explore the ways everyday technologies have altered our collective consciousness and created the age of anxiety, but the exhibit in Sharjah has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. United Arab Emirates
Coronavirus spurs regional humanitarian outreach to Iran The UAE, Kuwait and Qatar provide help to Coronavirus-stricken Iran, while there is talk that the United States could ease the way for aid to Iran while Iran released American prisoners who could be prime COVID-19 targets. United Arab Emirates