Geopolitics
“Trump Sends Nuclear Agreement With Saudi Arabia to Congress.” WSJ, August 25, 2026.
“Trump’s political requirement that Saudi Arabia normalize relations with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords has introduced a fresh obstacle for implementing the nuclear agreement. Trump announced that condition last month after the deal was negotiated and signed and is sticking by it.”
Go Deeper: “To Enrich or Not to Enrich? The Saudi-U.S. Nuclear Deal.” Australian Institute of International Affairs, Aug 27, 2026.
“Qatar steps in to mediate as Trump says US not talking to Iran.” Reuters, August 26, 2026.
“Major combat operations have been paused for weeks but there has been little progress toward a wider peace agreement or reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route. Six months after U.S. and Israeli forces attacked Iran, killing its supreme leader and maiming his son and successor, the Iranian government is under economic siege, but it still holds power and has shown little urgency to negotiate.”
Go Deeper: Nayef Al-Naama “Qatar between Israel and Iran -and Beyond: Mediation, Diplomacy and the Double Standards of Applying International Law in the Attempt of War.” SSRN, July 29, 2026.
“US Moves Against Egyptian Bank’s UAE Branches Over Iran Ties.” Bloomberg, August 28, 2026.
“The Treasury Department is moving to sever an Egyptian bank’s United Arab Emirates branches from the US financial system as part of efforts to pressure Iran into ending the war in the Middle East.”
Go Deeper: “Treasury moves to sanction UAE branch of Egyptian bank over Iran ties.” August 28, 2026.
“Kuwaiti tanker hit in latest Hormuz shipping attack - UK maritime monitor.” Arab News, August 27, 2026.
“Al-Salam II was heading east through the waterway on Tuesday evening when it was hit by a projectile above the waterline, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported.”
Go Deeper: “The Gulf’s critical infrastructure presents a lasting vulnerability for Iran to exploit.” ACLED, August 4, 2026.
“France, Saudi Arabia agree on €6 billion Dragon Ball Z theme park project near Paris.” Reuters, August 24, 2026.
“The project, inspired by the world of the hit Japanese manga and anime franchise Dragon Ball Z, will be built near Cergy-Pontoise, northwest of Paris, and is expected to create around 22,000 jobs, the Elysee said.”
“Abu Dhabi provides $300m to support Jordan’s budget.” AGBI, August 28, 2026.
“The state-backed Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has signed an agreement with Jordan’s planning ministry to provide AED1.1 billion ($300 million) in support for the general budget, the fund said in a statement.”
“UAE company begins wheat supplies to Egypt in $500m deal.” AGBI, August 26, 2026.
“The pact between Abu Dhabi’s Al Dahra Holding and Egypt’s General Authority for Supply Commodities is valued at up to $500 million and will be supported by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office, the export-financing arm of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Emirati company said in a statement.”
Market & Economy
“Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus surges 53% to SR155 billion in 1H 2026.” Saudi Gazette, August 26, 2026.
“The Saudi trade surplus surged by 53.17 percent year-on-year during the first half of 2026, with the value of foreign trade exceeding SR1 trillion. The increase coincided with a 7.3 percent rise in exports and a 2.7 percent decline in imports compared to the same period last year.”
“UAE real estate sector records strong H1 2026 growth.” Zawya, August 27, 2026.
In Abu Dhabi, the total value of real estate transactions reached around AED117 billion during the first half, up 112 percent compared with the same period in 2025, while the number of transactions increased by 61.7 percent.
Sales transactions led activity, reaching AED86.1 billion through 16,838 transactions, up 163.7 percent, while mortgage transactions amounted to AED26.7 billion.
“Bahrain’s non-oil economy grows 2.2% in Q1 despite regional headwinds.” Arab News, August 27, 2026.
“According to a quarterly report by the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, real GDP fell 3.8 percent year on year, driven largely by a 37.2 percent contraction in oil activities, linked to restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and scheduled maintenance, the Bahrain News Agency reported.”
Go Deeper: “Bahrain Economic Quarterly Report.” Ministry of Finance and National Economy, August, 2026. [PDF].
“Saudi intensifies $13.3 billion buildout of indoor entertainment centers.” Semafor, August 20, 2026,
“Even as some economic diversification projects are put on the back burner, Saudi Arabia is intensifying its $13.3 billion push to build indoor entertainment centers across the country.”
“LNG WRAP: Asian LNG Above $23 as Qatar Extends Force Majeure.” Bloomberg, August 28, 2026.
“Spot prices rose to $23.388 per million British thermal units, according to traders. State-owned QatarEnergy this week notified Pakistani buyers that LNG cargo cancellations will continue into October, traders familiar with the matter said. The company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.”
“Kuwait’s Al-Zour oil refinery partially restarted, IIR says.” Zawya, August 28, 2026.
“State-owned Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company had restarted all three crude units at its 615,000 barrel-per-day Al-Zour oil refinery at 60% capacity as of August 19, consultancy IIR said.”
“KIPIC shut down parts of the refinery on July 18 due to a power cut, having reduced processing rates earlier in the year during a round of attacks by Iran.”
“Saudis Sell Oil from Gulf of Oman in Sign of More Hormuz Exits.” Bloomberg, August 28, 2026.
“Saudi Arabia has sold its heavier crude grades to Chinese refiners for a second time this month, a sign that flows through the Strait of Hormuz are likely to remain elevated.”
Go Deeper: “China Buys Saudi Crude in Rare Tender as Imports Stay Muted.” Bloomberg, August 20, 2026.
“Kuwait and Qatar Add to Growing Oil Flows Getting Through Hormuz.” Bloomberg, August 27, 2026.
“The two countries, which exported a combined 2 million barrels a day of oil before the outbreak of the Iran war, have managed to get shipments back to 70% of pre-conflict levels, according to traders, who asked not to be named as they’re not allowed to speak to media.”
“Axel Springer enters crowded Gulf media market.” Semafor, August 27, 2026.
“Axel Springer is the latest media company to plant a flag in the Gulf, with a new entity headquartered in Abu Dhabi that is on the hunt for “opportunities.” The move comes shortly after the publisher of Politico and Business Insider completed a deal to acquire The Telegraph newspaper from Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI; an investment in The Circuit, a regional digital publication, is also part of the expansion.”
“Saudi Brothers Mint Billion-Dollar Fortune From AI Boom.” Bloomberg, August 26, 2026.
“Two Saudi brothers have amassed a fortune of about $1.4 billion as the technology company they control rides the kingdom’s multibillion-dollar push to build artificial intelligence infrastructure.”
“RSGT, CMA CGM to invest $434mln in Jeddah port container terminal.” Zawya, August 25, 2026.
“Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) and France’s CMA CGM Group have signed definitive agreements to jointly develop and operate Terminal 4 at Jeddah Islamic Port, with an investment of approximately $434 million (SAR1.6 billion), RSGT said in a statement.”
“Saudi Capital Markets Shakeup Raises Liberalization Optimism.” Bloomberg, August 24, 2026.
“Morgan Stanley estimates that a partial relaxation of the limit to 75% could attract about $4.3 billion of passive inflows into Saudi equities, while a full removal could generate about $7.4 billion. Still, Nguyen said the window for implementing changes this year is narrowing, as any moves would need to take effect by late October to be reflected in MSCI’s November review of its global equity indexes.”
Climate, Renewable and Green Energy
“Saudi’s Alfanar Group backs Indian wind turbine maker’s global expansion.” Zawya, August 26, 2026.
“Saudi Arabia-based Alfanar Group will inject $100 million in capital into Senvion, an Indian wind turbine manufacturer, to drive global and local expansion.”
“The first tranche of $34 million was received this month, while the remaining amount will be invested in a couple of weeks, Senvion said in a statement.”
“Kuwait’s Action Energy to acquire Warah Environmental Consultants.” Zawya, August 26, 2026.
“Kuwait-listed Action Energy Company is set to acquire consultancy firm Warah Environmental Consultants.”
“Warah offers environmental and technical consultations, including environmental and social impact assessments, technical advisory and professional and specialised training services.”
Other
“Kuwait continues to tighten citizenship rules.” Semafor, August 25, 2026.
“.. in May 2024 before embarking on a regulatory overhaul that has stripped at least 50,000 people of citizenship. Authorities say some of them held dual nationality, which is illegal for Kuwaitis, while others had obtained citizenship through fraud; rights groups say the government’s political opponents have also been targeted.”
“Saudi Arabia real estate gigaproject developer replaces chief executive.” Zawya, August 28, 2026.
“New Murabba, owned by the country’s wealth fund PIF, has appointed Sabah Barakat as acting chief executive, according to the company’s website and was mentioned in that role in a company statement this week about an investment partnership. He replaces British manager Michael Dyke, chief executive since 2024.”
“Saudi Arabia backs Infantino amid fallout from failed FIFA investment plan.” Arab News, August 27, 2026.
“In a statement, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) welcomed FIFA’s acknowledgement of mistakes, its apology and the decision to scrap the proposal, while calling for direct dialogue among football’s stakeholders to restore unity.”
“Abu Dhabi to host first Euroleague Basketball SuperCup.” Arab News, August 25, 2026.
“The SuperCup is an exciting addition to Euroleague Basketball’s competition portfolio, creating an annual event featuring elite European club basketball while further expanding the league’s global footprint. Hosting the first competition in Abu Dhabi highlights the emirate’s growing involvement in international basketball.”
“Formula One confirms Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to take place in December.” Arab News, August 23, 2026.
“President and CEO of Formula One Stefano Domenicali has confirmed the 2026 season will conclude as planned with the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.”
“Domenicali expects remaining tickets to be sold and said that preparations for the Dec. 3-6 event were nearing completion.”
Go Deeper: “From Shakira to F1: How Iran war is disrupting Gulf economy.” First Post, August 21, 2026.
“2026 Saudi Toyota Championship Time Attack gets underway at Jeddah Corniche Circuit.” Arab News, August 27, 2026.
“The championship is being held under the supervision of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, the owner of the competition, managed by Bakhashab Motorsport, and in partnership with Jameel Motorsport, the official partner.”
Go Deeper: “‘It’s come at the wrong time’: how Iran war has floored the Gulf as a sports hub.” The Guardian, March 21, 2026.