Geopolitics
“Iran attacks Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait after deadly U.S. strikes.” CNBC, July 9, 2026.
“Iran says it has attacked U.S. forces in Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait after the U.S. bombed Iranian cities for a second consecutive night. CNBC’s Emma Graham reports from Abu Dhabi.”
Go Deeper: “Iran Update Special Report, July 9, 2026.” ISW, July 9, 2026.
“Canada’s Carney defends his visit to Saudi Arabia and slams criticism from afar.” AP, July 9, 2026.
“Carney has been seeking to expand his country’s economic ties beyond its heavy reliance on the United States, and diversify trade and attract investments against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.”
Go Deeper: “Canada wants broader Saudi ties, won’t lecture from ‘afar’: Carney.” Al-Monitor, July 9, 2026.
“Saudi Arabia considers expansion of oil pipeline to Red Sea, sources say.” Reuters, July 7, 2026.
“The kingdom is in preliminary talks with some of its neighbours about the potential expansion of the pipeline’s capacity by up to 2 million bpd, the sources said..”
“It was unclear if Aramco’s planned capacity increase would involve upgrades to existing infrastructure or construction of a new pipeline. One of the sources said the increase would include a smaller second pipe for oil products.”
Go Deeper: “New Middle East corridors are about more than just bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.” Allison Minor, Atlantic Council, July 6, 2026.
“Saudi Arabia explores IMEC route through Syria, sidestepping Israel, sources tell ‘Post’.” The Jerusalem Post, July 9, 2026.
“The initiative envisioned a network of railways, ports, and shipping lanes, connecting India to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Greece. It would provide a faster alternative to traditional maritime routes while strengthening economic integration across the region.”
Go Deeper: “Saudi Arabia,Turkey: Battle Over IMEC,What It Means for Haifa, Piraeus and Eilat.” The Times of Israel, June 13, 2026.
“Saudis Slash Main Oil Price to Rare Discount as Market Dives.” Bloomberg, July 6, 2026.
“State producer Saudi Aramco will lower Arab Light oil for next month by $11 a barrel to $1.50 below the regional benchmark, according to a price list published Monday. The last two times it sold the grade at a discount were during price wars in 2020 and 2015, while it marks the largest monthly reduction in official selling prices since at least 2000.”
Go Deeper: “Saudi oil price cut unlikely to convince sated Asia buyers, traders say.” Reuters, July 7, 2026.
“UAE president arrives in Kuwait for talks with emir.” Arab News, July 09, 2026.
“It affirmed the UAE’s full support for the two Gulf Cooperation Council member countries and all measures aimed at safeguarding their security and stability, the Emirates News Agency reported.”
Go Deeper: “The UAE Woos Kuwait… In Confrontation with Saudi Arabia?” Al Hurra, Feb 3, 2026.
Economy, Markets and Domestics
“Saudi Arabia, Canada launch investment pact talks, deepen mining partnership.” Saudi Gazette, July 10, 2026.
“The two countries also pledged to deepen cooperation in defense, cybersecurity, counterterrorism and combating transnational organized crime, while expanding collaboration in healthcare, biotechnology, digital health, pharmaceuticals, medical technologies, research and workforce development.”
Go Deeper: “Carney’s Saudi Arabia trip a ‘high-water mark’ for relations: Business leader.” Kyle Duggan, Canada National Observer, July 9, 2026
“Canada tells UAE it is not ready for its C$70bn investment.” Financial Times, July 7, 2026.
“The reason was a lack of projects at a stage where they could deploy the money. Former Quebec premier Jean Charest..”
Go Deeper: “Canada tells UAE it has no projects ready for billions in pledged investment - report.” I24 News, July 7, 2026.
“Qatar Pauses Push to Ramp Up LNG After Hormuz Tanker Attack.” Bloomberg, July 9, 2026.
“The pause is one of the most high-profile fallouts of the heightened tensions this week with attacks on a number of ships near Hormuz and the US striking Iran for two consecutive days. President Donald Trump on Wednesday even raised the prospect of a return to all-out war, a worst-case scenario for energy producers in the region who were gradually recovering from the impact of the conflict.”
Go Deeper: “Qatar LNG under constraint: capacity loss and export dislocation.” Irina Mironova, Cedigaz, April 23, 2026.
“UAE tops Arab region in FDI inflows in 2025 with $48.2 billion.” Arab News, July 08, 2026.
“According to UNCTAD estimates cited in Dhaman’s annual report, FDI inflows to Arab countries fell 10 percent to US$119.3 billion in 2025. More than 80 percent of total inflows were concentrated in three Arab countries, while the region’s share of global FDI declined to 7.3 percent and its share of FDI to developing economies fell to 13.3 percent.”
Go Deeper: “UAE Foreign Direct Investment, report 2025.” [UAE] Ministry of Investment, 2025. [PDF].
“Businesses report blocked payments from Saudi Arabia to the UAE, raising fears of worsening ties.” Middle East Eye, July 08, 2026.
“Several sources told the Financial Times that payments from Saudi banks to UAE-based accounts belonging to companies and individuals in Dubai had been returned or held up since May, often without explanation.”
Go Deeper: “Saudi-UAE tensions hit money flows.” Yahoo, July 8, 2026.
“Al-Hogail launches SR1.67 billion municipal, housing projects in Al-Baha.” Saudi Gazette, July 10, 2026.
“Municipal projects included completed developments worth SR464 million and new projects valued at SR873.5 million, covering roads, sidewalks, street lighting, flood mitigation, parks, public facilities and other infrastructure aimed at improving services for residents and visitors.”
Go Deeper: “Saudi Arabia’s Residential Property Market Analysis 2026.” Global Property Guide, Mar 1, 2026.
“Abu Dhabi’s e& exits Vodafone investment in $5.95bln deal.” Zawya, July 10, 2026.
“The sale covers 3.94 billion Vodafone shares at 112.5 GB pence ($1.51) per share, comprising about 110.5 pence in cash and a 2.02 pence FY26 dividend, payable on July 30, 2026..”
“The shares will initially be transferred through off-market block trades to three financial institutions who will hold them until Vega completes the regulatory requirements.”
“United Solar completes $1.6bln funding for Oman polysilicon plant with IFC investment.” Zawya, July 6, 2026.
“In a separate statement that month, United Solar had announced that it secured $480 million in term debt financing from IFC and partner banks and more than $400 million in term debt and working capital facilities from local commercial banks led by Sohar International for the project.”
Go Deeper: “The Gulf could turn extreme heat to its advantage.” AGBI, July 8, 2026.
“Abu Dhabi’s ADNEC reports record $2.5 bln economic contribution in 2025.” Zawya, July 6, 2026.
“In 2025, ADNEC Group generated AED9.2 billion in economic impact, an 8% increase from AED8.5 billion in 2024. Through its business and leisure tourism activities, the group generated 2.17 million hotel room nights, reflecting its growing role in driving economic growth and supporting the UAE’s strategic objective of building a diversified, knowledge‑based economy.”
“Kuwait renewable energy firm plans equity raise to expand across MENA.” Zawya, July 8, 2026.
“AEP had recently secured several competitive solar projects in Kuwait and Oman, further validating the strength of its pipeline, commercial competitiveness, and ability to convert opportunities into awarded projects.”
“Exclusive / Microsoft deepens AI ties with UAE to automate government work.” Semafor, July 8, 2026.
“Microsoft’s ties to the emirates are already significant: It has committed $15.2 billion to the country by 2030 and taken a stake in G42. Microsoft President Brad Smith previously told Semafor the company has broad ambitions for the UAE, seeing it as a gateway for computing power and data storage across the wider region.”
Go Deeper: “Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Family Office Is a Global Dealmaking Force.” Bloomberg, July 6, 2026.
“ADNOC spends $1B on gas stations in South Africa.” Semafor, July 7, 2026.
“The Abu Dhabi state oil company’s retail arm, ADNOC Distribution, has bought Shell’s downstream business in South Africa for $1 billion, adding to a string of foreign acquisitions in recent months. The deal hands ADNOC 580 gas stations and a 10% market share in Africa’s largest economy.”
“Qatar: Mortgage transactions reach $3.56bln in Q1.” Zawya, July 10, 2026.
“The volume of mortgage transactions achieved during Q1 2025 reached 434 transactions, with a total amount of QR10.037bn where Doha Municipality registered the highest number of mortgage transactions with 164 equivalent to 37.8 percent, followed by Al Rayyan Municipality with 117 transactions equivalent to 27 percent, then Al Daayen Municipality with 50 transactions equivalent to 11.5 percent of the total number of mortgaged properties.”
“Acwa Power sets new dividend policy until 2030.” AGBI, July 8, 2026.
“The board also recommended a dividend payment of SAR353 million ($96 million), or SAR0.46 per share, for 2025 subject to shareholders’ approval.”
“Acwa Power reported a 19 percent year-on-year drop in net profit to SAR345 million in the first quarter of 2026 despite a 3 percent annual increase in revenue to SAR2 billion.”
“Kuwait Investment Company’s German subsidiary secures €23mln loan.” Zawya, July 8, 2026.
“Wisaly is a real estate entity operated by the publicly listed KIC, one of Kuwait’s oldest investment firms that is 62.04% owned by the country’s wealth fund, the Kuwait Investment Authority, according to LSEG data.”