Geopolitics
“MBS meets top US general for Middle East to discuss defense cooperation, reducing tensions.” Al Arabiya, August 14, 2026.
“United States Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Brad Cooper and MBS discussed defense cooperation and efforts to reduce regional tensions, according to the SPA.”
“UAE accuses Iran of attacks on two ADNOC vessels in Strait of Hormuz.” Al Jazeera, August 14, 2026.
“The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) confirmed that ‘two of its vessels were attacked while transiting’ the waterway on Thursday evening, adding that the situation was “brought under control”, Emirati media reported.”
“Prince Khalid meets Iraq’s top general to discuss Saudi-Iraqi defense ties.” Al Arabiya, August 13, 2026.
“Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief, Khalid al-Hmeidan, visited Baghdad last week to discuss regional security developments with Iraq’s prime minister and conveyed a renewed invitation for him to visit Riyadh after an earlier trip was scrapped over attacks on the Kingdom emanating from Iraq.”
Go Deeper: “Iraq seeks Saudi, Syrian ties as it faces pressure to rein in Iran-backed militias - analysis.” The Jerusalem Post, August 14, 2026.
“UAE Reportedly Released Iran’s Frozen Assets Worth Billions of Dollars, Bitcoin Rebounds.” Yahoo, August 13, 2026.
“Oil prices fell on Thursday after reports that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) released Iran’s frozen assets held in Emirati banks, including gold valued at roughly $200-283 million. As a result, Bitcoin and the broader crypto market witnessed a much-needed rebound.”
Go Deeper: “UAE to unlock billions of dollars for Iran, sources say.” Reuters, June 12, 2026.
“Tanker Seen Loading at Key Saudi Hub for First Time in Weeks.” Bloomberg, August 12, 2026.
“A satellite image from the European Union’s Sentinel 2 orbiter, captured on Tuesday, shows a very large crude carrier, capable of loading about 2 million barrels of crude, moored at one of Ju’aymah’s single-point moorings, which form part of the giant Ras Tanura oil export complex. The last time a ship was seen there was in the middle of July, though satellite images aren’t available every day, so it’s possible vessels have called there since.”
“UAE Shuttles Iraqi Oil Exports Through the Strait of Hormuz.” Bloomberg, August 12, 2026.
“The United Arab Emirates’ state oil company has been the most successful producer at getting its crude out of the Persian Gulf through the Hormuz. It has used so-called shuttling tactics, where vessels make short trips — often with their transponders turned off to avoid detection — before typically transferring their cargoes to other ships just outside the gulf.”
Market & Economy
“Qatar National Bank Tests Investor Appetite for $2 Billion Loan.” Bloomberg, August 12, 2026.
“Qatar National Bank is seeking a $2 billion syndicated loan, according to people familiar with the matter, in a test of whether banks, particularly from Asia, are willing to lend in the region as the US war with Iran drags on.”
Go Deeper: “Abu Dhabi, Qatar Turn to Private Markets to Raise Billions.” Bloomberg, April 9, 2026.
“UAE banks face margin pressure despite strong H1 earnings.” Zawya, August 13, 2026.
“The notable exception among the UAE banks was First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s largest lender by market capitalisation. Its NIM rose to 1.99% in Q2 and by 14 bps YoY, thanks to a more favourable funding mix and better liability repricing. “As a result, we see less downside to FAB’s margin compared with banks that are seeing a faster migration from CASA into term deposits,” Singh said. “
“Saudi PIF-backed Emaar Economic City posts $5.87mln net loss in Q2 2026.” Zawya, August 12, 2026.
“Revenue for the second quarter of 2026 reached SAR 127 million, up from SAR 118 million a year ago.”
“For the first six months of the year, total shareholders’ equity surged by nearly 80% to SAR 9.08 billion. Loss per share stood at -SAR 0.23, down from -SAR 0.41 in the first half of last year.”
“Saudi data center capacity projected to boom, but financing a challenge.” Semafor, August 11, 2026.
“Saudi Arabia’s data center capacity is forecast to reach 1 gigawatt by 2030, making it the fastest-growing Gulf market in a sector awash in cash and FOMO. The pipeline of announced projects is larger still — PIF’s HUMAIN alone is targeting more than 6 GW in the coming decade. Financing even half of that will require up to $32 billion in debt, more than the kingdom’s banks are likely to be willing to assemble themselves, according to a report from consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal.”
Go Deeper: “Financing Saudi Arabia’s Data Center Build-Out.” Alvarez & Marsal, August 6, 2026. [PDF].
“UAE, Qatari Firms Debut in Venezuela Through BP-Led Gas Deal.” Bloomberg, August 13, 2026.
“Arab Gulf companies are making their debut in Venezuela through an offshore natural gas project to be operated by BP Plc.”
Go Deeper: “Abu Dhabi’s Adnoc Is Said to Mull Investing in Venezuela Gas.” Bloomberg, January 15, 2026.
“UAE extends corporate tax relief for small businesses until 2029.” Khaleej Times, August 7, 2026.
“Under the decision, the threshold prescribed under Ministerial Decision No. (73) of 2023 will continue to apply to tax periods commencing on or after June 1, 2023, and shall apply to subsequent tax periods ending on or before December 31, 2029.”
Go Deeper: “Dubai enlists businesses to help secure hub status after Iran war shock.” Reuters, June 25, 2026.
“Qatar: Significant increase in compliance as tax return filing rate reaches 90% for 2025.” Zawya, August 7, 2026.
“Continued enhancements to the Dhareeba Portal have made tax services faster, easier, and more accessible. Improvements to electronic services have also helped simplify tax return filing procedures and support taxpayers in meeting their obligations.”
Go Deeper: “What Are the Changes in Qatar’s Corporate Tax Rate for 2026?” SwissMENA, April 30, 2026.
“Qatar LNG Loading Jumps Ahead of Potential Hormuz Reopening.” Bloomberg, August 11, 2026.
“The 10-day moving average for loadings from the giant Ras Laffan complex was about 80,000 tons, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. While 60% lower than this time last year, it is still the highest level since March, right after the war began and Iranian attacks on the facility forced Qatar to shut production.”
“Riyadh Presses ahead with Housing Market Stabilization Through Real Estate Balance Measures.” Asharq Al-Awsat, August 12, 2026
“The RCRC aims to provide between 10,000 and 40,000 plots annually at prices not exceeding SAR1,500 per square meter, helping narrow the gap between supply and demand and support stability in Riyadh’s real estate market.”
Go Deeper: “Saudi Arabia Residential Real Estate Market Report 2026-2030” Yahoo, January 20, 2026.
“Saudi inflation reaches 1.8% in July, driven by 4.2% rise in housing costs.” Saudi Gazette, August 13, 2026.
“Personal care, social protection and other goods and services prices rose 2.9 percent year-on-year, driven by an 11.1 percent increase in other personal effects, which was affected by a 12 percent rise in jewelry and watch prices.”
Go Deeper: “Inflation in Saudi Arabia reaches 1.8% in July 2026 compared to July 2025.” Maaal, August 13, 2026.
Climate, Renewable and Green Energy
“Construction is ‘finished’ on world’s largest green hydrogen and ammonia complex in Saudi Arabia.” Hydrogeninsight, August 11, 2026.
“The 2.2GW Neom green hydrogen and ammonia project in Saudi Arabia has completed construction and is currently being commissioned for a start of operations in 2027, according to one of its developers, Acwa.”
Go Deeper: Ali Q. Al-Shetwi “Energy transition for sustainable development in Saudi Arabia: Renewable energy growth and emission reduction” Next Energy, Volume 12, 2026.
“Oman says the oil spill from a grounded tanker has reached its coastline.” AP, August 12, 2026
“Crude oil has been leaking from the tanker Caroline Bezengi — a sanctioned tanker believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” — that was carrying nearly 1 million barrels of oil when it reported an explosion in June.”
Go Deeper: “Oman says massive oil spill reaches coastline: What damage could it do?” Al Jazeera, August 13, 2026.
“Saudi Arabia raises ozone-depleting substance disposal rate to 69% in 2026.” FC, August 14, 2026.
“More than 8,000 metric tons of ozone-depleting substances and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have been cleared since the start of the year under a national project regulating their import and circulation in line with environmental requirements and international commitments.”
“EDF consortium achieves financial close for 120MW Oman wind project.” Zawya, August 11, 2026.
“The project supports Oman Vision 2040 and the sultanate’s objective of increasing the share of renewable energy in the national electricity mix to at least 30% by 2030, while advancing the country’s Net Zero 2050 ambitions.”
Go Deeper: Mohamed Amur Al-Shidhani, Maan Hayyan “Oman’s energy transition roadmap to net zero 2050” Energy Nexus, Volume 19, 2025.
Other
“King orders Cabinet reshuffle under Crown Prince, retains current ministers.” Saudi Gazette, August 13, 2026.
“As per a third decree, the King appointed Mazen Al-Sudairi as chairman of the Capital Market Authority with the rank of a minister after relieving Mohammed Al-Quwaiz of his position as its chairman.”
Go Deeper: “Biography of new CMA Chairman Mazen Al-Sudairi.” Maaal, August 13, 2026.
“Kuwait foils ISIS plot targeting ‘vital facility,’ arrests suspect.” Anadolu Agansi, August 12, 2026.
“Kuwaiti authorities said Wednesday that security forces foiled “a terrorist plot” targeting a vital facility and arrested a Kuwaiti national affiliated with the ISIS (Daesh) terror group before the plan could be carried out.”
“Qatar, Morocco among six Arab federations backing FIFA’s Infantino.” Reuters, August 13, 2026.
“The full backing by the six national federations, many of them AFC members, shows that block voting is extremely unlikely, even if the confederations themselves have taken a clear position, with each national federation having one vote. The Confederation of African Football has also supported Infantino.”