Middle East
Middle East gains ground with Chinese tourists during Golden Week
The Middle East has traditionally not ranked among the top destinations for Chinese travelers, but that appears to be changing fast. During this year’s extended Golden Week holiday — which runs Oct. 1–8 — Chinese travel reservations to Doha surged 441% from a year earlier, while bookings to Abu Dhabi rose 229%, according to Trip.com. The […]
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Israel approves Trump’s peace plan, clearing the way for a ceasefire in Gaza
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes targeted areas in the Gaza Strip despite the announcement of a cease-fire agreement, as seen from the Israeli city of Sderot near the border, on October 09, 2025. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images Israel’s government on Friday approved a deal with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, paving the way […]
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Trump’s H-1B visa fee could have one big winner: The Middle East
People walk on Creek Harbour as the Dubai skyline with Burj Khalifa, the world’s largest building (C) is seen in the background on February 5, 2025. Fadel Senna | Afp | Getty Images The Middle East could emerge as the major beneficiary of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for higher H-1B visa fees. The Gulf region’s […]
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Power cuts and blackouts: Why can’t Iraq keep the lights on?
Iraq was plunged into a nationwide blackout earlier this week, as a temperature surge to 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50° Celcius) — and subsequent spiking demand for electricity — pushed the country’s faltering power grid to the breaking point. For a country that has seen as much conflict and instability as Iraq, this could come as […]
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What’s behind the $8-billion hit to Saudi Arabia’s massive wealth fund
Digital render of NEOM’s The Line project in Saudi Arabia The Line, NEOM Saudi Arabia’s mammoth sovereign wealth fund saw a major decline in investments in its so-called “gigaprojects,” amounting to an $8 billion write-down at the end of 2024 — despite assets under management reaching nearly $1 trillion, according to its annual report. Gigaproject […]
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European powers threaten ‘snapback sanctions’ if Iran doesn’t return to nuclear talks
The flag of Iran is seen in front of the building of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Headquarters on May 24, 2021 in Vienna, Austria. Michael Gruber | Getty Images News | Getty Images France, the U.K. and Germany have told the United Nations they support reinstating snapback sanctions on Iran, if it doesn’t […]
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Saudi Arabia reckons with its costly megaprojects as $500 billion ‘The Line’ is reviewed
Digital render of NEOM’s The Line project in Saudi Arabia The Line, NEOM DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is reassessing its flagship $500 billion futuristic city called The Line. The public investment fund has tapped consulting firms to conduct a strategic review into the feasibility of the 105-mile linear city, […]
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Israel’s stock market outperforms Middle East counterparts despite multi-front wars
A missile is intercepted over Tel Aviv on June 20, 2025, after a Iran fired a fresh salvo of missiles. John Wessels | Afp | Getty Images Israel’s stock market is at a record high and has seen the greatest gains of any country in the Middle East over the 22 months of war that […]
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Wizz Air exits Abu Dhabi
ShareShare Article via FacebookShare Article via TwitterShare Article via LinkedInShare Article via Email “The Middle East isn’t an easy market to fly into,” Mark Martin, CEO of Martin Consulting tells CNBC’s Dan Murphy after low-cost Hungarian carrier Wizz Air announced it would exit Abu Dhabi. Source
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Many insurance underwriters won’t offer Middle East coverage to U.S., Israel, U.K.-linked vessels at any price
The conflict in the Middle East has led many insurance underwriters in the maritime shipping market to avoid offering coverage in the region to any U.S., Israel, or U.K.-linked vessels. “Many underwriters are not touching vessels with perceived U.S., U.K. or Israeli links at any price,” said David Osler, insurance editor for Lloyd’s List. According […]
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