Geopolitics
“UAE Forms Investigation Team to Probe Flydubai Flight Incident.” Asharq Al-Awsat, October 1, 2026.
“UAE Public Prosecutor Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has ordered the formation of an investigation team comprising specialized members of the Public Prosecution to investigate an incident involving Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was traveling from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv yesterday and was diverted before landing safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.”
Go Deeper: “Plane to Israel Narrowly Averts Disaster After Pilot Stabbing.” New York Times, September 30, 2026.
“Saudi Grand Mufti tells troops to ‘stand united’ against Houthis, restore stability in Yemen.” Khaleej Times, September 25, 2026.
“The rare and strongly worded message by Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al Fawzan was addressed to soldiers stationed at the country’s borders and drew on Quranic verses and recorded sayings of the Prophet Muhammad related to sacrifice and struggle in defence of God.”
“Saudi coalition says it intercepts Houthi missiles, drones.” Reuters, September 25, 2026.
“Hours earlier, the military chiefs of Saudi Arabia and defence allies Pakistan and Turkey reviewed threats facing Saudi Arabia at a meeting in the Saudi capital.”
“The three signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement last month, saying they would regard an armed attack on any of them to be an attack on all. They said the pact aimed to strengthen collective deterrence and military cooperation.”
“UAE bars Iranian airlines as US sanctions squeeze Iran’s aviation sector.” Al Jazeera, September 25, 2026.
“The United Arab Emirates has halted flights operated by Iranian airlines, joining several other countries in adopting United States sanctions aimed at pressuring Tehran’s aviation sector.”
“Oman urges UN members to refrain from use of force.” Arab News, September 27, 2026.
“Al-Busaidi said negotiations and dialogue could have avoided the conflict in the region and its devastating effects on the Gulf, including the disruption of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a major artery for transporting oil.”
“Saudi Arabia pledges $6 million to UN Counter-Terrorism Center programs.” Saudi Gazette, September 27, 2026.
“The announcement came on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The Kingdom’s contribution will be distributed over four calendar years beginning in the 2027 fiscal year.”
“France to protect Saudi energy sites after Houthi attacks.” AGBI, September 25, 2026.
“France will provide military support to Saudi Arabia to help protect the port city of Yanbu, French president Emmanuel Macron said.”
Market & Economy
“Qatar Reshapes Wealth Fund Strategy With New Local Platform.” Bloomberg, September 20, 2026.
“The platform, Doha Investment, will seek to accelerate long-term value creation and boost private-sector participation in the Gulf nation’s economy, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said at the Qatar Economic Forum in New York Sunday.”
“UAE VAT Changes Indicate Broader Shift in Administration.” Bloomberg Tax, September 25, 2026.
“The United Arab Emirates has approved a significant overhaul of its value-added tax executive regulations. The changes affect how businesses calculate input VAT recovery, make payments, structure composite supplies, and document certain transactions.”
Go Deeper: “The Executive Regulation of the Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on Value Added Tax.” [UAE] Federal Tax Authority, 2026 [PDF].
“Microsoft doubles down on investment in the Gulf.” Semafor, September 24, 2026.
“Microsoft is accelerating investment in the Gulf, planning to spend at least $10 billion by 2030 to shore up the region’s digital resilience. While a drop in the bucket compared with global AI spending, the move to expand data centers and lay more subsea and overland cables for backup connectivity is a vote of confidence in a region whose tech ambitions were called into question by the Iran war. Amazon Web Services said this month it won’t restore one of its three UAE availability zones or its Bahrain network after damage from Iranian strikes.”
“Saudi Arabia contracts SLB to drill 450 wells.” AGBI, September 25, 2026.
“Following Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia shifted oil exports west to Yanbu, with the stated aim of shipping 5 million barrels per day (bpd).”
“This ambition has been hampered as conflict with the Iran-backed Houthi group prevents Saudi vessels from passing through the Bab al-Mandab strait, which connects the Red Sea to Asian oil markets.”
“Saudi-listed MIS says HUMAIN AI-focused data centre contract valued at $2.3bln.” Zawya, September 21, 2026.
“The agreement value exceeds 689 percent of the company’s total revenue in 2025, MIS said in a statement to the Saudi stock exchange. Revenue stood at 1.27 billion Saudi riyals (2.33 billion).”
“Saudi Arabia’s $1.3 billion biotech push following Riyadh summit.” Semafor, September 24, 2026.
“Saudi Arabia announced $1.3 billion in biotech deals following a Riyadh summit last week, part of its push to become a global hub for the industry by 2040. They include a $130 million vaccine manufacturing plant that would be the Gulf’s largest.”
Go Deeper: “MODON Signs SAR500 million Contract to Establish Vaccine Industrial Company.” SPA, September 21, 2023
“Saudi’s Ceer unveils first EVs in bid to build regional auto powerhouse.” Reuters, September 21, 2026.
“Ceer’s efforts to impress the market coincide with the greatest period of upheaval in the established car industry in the last century as Chinese automakers take share from traditional rivals and lead the world in developing flashy new EVs.”
Domestics
“Saudi government agencies adopt over 500 public proposals to improve regulations.” Saudi Gazette, September 27, 2026.
“The platform, operated by the Saudi Center for Competitiveness and Business (SCCB), enables the public and the government and private sectors to provide feedback on draft laws and regulations related to economic and development affairs before they are approved.”
“UAE launches new freight rail service connecting Fujairah with Abu Dhabi.” Semafor, September 24, 2026.
“Three times a week, Etihad Rail will move containers about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the port on the UAE’s Gulf of Oman coast to Abu Dhabi, where they can clear customs. Fujairah has become a crucial entry point since Iran began attacking ships in the strait early in its conflict with the US.”
“Kuwait to host 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup in December.” Saudi Gazette, September 14, 2026.
“The tournament will be played at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium and feature four clubs: Al Nassr, Al Kholood, Al Ahli and Al Qadsiah. The draw will take place on Oct. 14 to determine the two semifinal fixtures.”