MENA Brief: Key Geopolitical, Defence, and Innovation Updates – June 11, 2025
Regional tensions, high-stakes defence deals, and new innovation-led collaborations defined the Middle East and North Africa landscape on Wednesday. Here’s...
Analysis
Israel-Gaza conflict creates global economic ripples
As Israel grapples with the surprise Hamas action and global community gauges economic ramifications, the future of Israel's relations with...
Analysis
Death toll mounts in Iran protests as online services cut
Amini, 22, died last week after her arrest by the Islamic republic's feared morality police for allegedly wearing a hijab...
- Protesters have been heard shouting "death to the dictator" and "woman, life, freedom" in video footage shared widely online
- The US Treasury placed the morality police on its sanctions blacklist, holding it responsible for Amini's death
Analysis
Uncertainty rules even as MENA crypto market grows
Crypto investors fear a possible global recession, especially amidst weak economic activity data, Wael Makarem, Senior Market Strategist - MENA...
- Crypto investors fear a possible global recession, especially amidst weak economic activity data, Wael Makarem, Senior Market Strategist - MENA at Exness, tell TRENDS
- As cryptos are revolutionizing the financial industry, many institutions drafting regulations are trying to make the currency fit into the existing financial regulations
Analysis
Gulf construction market builds on KSA-UAE rivalry
As Saudi Arabia is all set to become the largest construction site in the world, the competition between Dubai and...
- As Saudi Arabia is all set to become the largest construction site in the world, the competition between Dubai and Riyadh to attract investments will intensify further
- Over the last seven years, $1.1 trillion worth of real estate projects have been announced in Saudi Arabia, says a recent research by Knight Frank
Analysis
US Fed Reserve may remain hawkish in coming months
Despite the recent slowdown, the US economy remains robust, which allows for more aggressive monetary policy tightening. The US consumer...
- The US Federal Reserve will lean "hawkish," raising rates by 75 bps in September and 50 bps both in November and December, before a final 25 bps hike in early 2023
- Despite the recent slowdown, the US economy remains robust, which allows for more aggressive monetary policy tightening, Qatar National Bank says in its weekly report
Analysis
Dribbling cost of bringing forward the start of FIFA Cup
The sudden move to bring forward Qatar's match against Ecuador -- to make it the opening match – may put...
- The decision to bring forward Qatar's match against Ecuador -- to make it the opening match – may put pressure on Doha's public relations team, add to the costs and confuse fans
- The organising committee of the key sports event says "huge excitement" is building for the World Cup, which will now start on November 20
Business
Retaining customers rattles retailers as sales drop
From optimizing the purchasing ecosystem to driving personalization and developing schemes that help consumers with finance management, retailers must work...
- From optimizing the purchasing ecosystem to driving personalization and developing schemes that help consumers with finance management, retailers must work harder
- During the pandemic, nearly 40 percent switched brands or retailers, and more than 80 percent developed new shopping habits, says a recent McKinsey study
Geostrategy
“US lives in solipsistic fantasies”
Diminished leverage in the Gulf region makes Washington a less compelling partner than it once was, says Chas W Freeman,...
- Diminished leverage in the Gulf region makes Washington a less compelling partner than it once was, says Chas W Freeman, Former US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
- West Asia is a region in which abundant policy failures offer a veritable cornucopia of insights into warfare and diplomacy, the former diplomat highlights
Business
‘Mobile-first mindset’ rules companies in Middle East
With an average of 40 percent of sales taking place via mobile, a growing number of enterprise-sized brands see mobile...
- With an average of 40 percent of sales taking place via mobile, a growing number of enterprise-sized brands see mobile as a highly strategic acquisition and retention channel
- However, it’s not just about having a mobile app, it’s also about delivering an exceptional user experience and being able to integrate mobile with any other channels seamlessly
Analysis
Crises put Gulf investments in Sri Lanka at stake
The region has invested billions of dollars across sectors in the South Asian nation as recent past witnessed an expansion...
- The region has invested billions of dollars across sectors in the South Asian nation in the recent past
- Sri Lanka has been enduring shortages of food, fuel, medicines and other essentials for months
Science
Are EVs driving towards greener world or uncertainty?
Studies suggest the electric vehicles may not eliminate all emissions even by 2050, particularly those related to mining and battery...
- Recent studies suggest the electric vehicles may not eliminate all emissions even by 2050, particularly those related to mining and battery production.
- Wider adoption of EVs will hinge on affordability which, in turn, is reliant on battery production and robust charging infrastructure
MENA Brief: Key Geopolitical, Defence, and Innovation Updates – June 11, 2025
Regional tensions, high-stakes defence deals, and new innovation-led collaborations defined the Middle East and North Africa landscape on Wednesday. Here’s...
Analysis
Company News
Latest News
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YEARBOOK 2023
US Jews battle new ‘mainstreamed’ anti-Semitism
One day after hip-hop and fashion mogul Kanye West voiced a "love" for Nazis and 10 days after ex-president Donald...
Over 200 days of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed as UAE President: Decisions, contributions and meetings
The UAE's policy will always support peace and stability in the region and the entire world, based on wisdom and...
Analysis
It’s time to recount UAE’s achievements across sectors as the country celebrates its 51st National Day
Beside successfully addressing COVID-19, the country created a distinguished development model covering all political, economic, social, scientific and cultural areas...
Analysis
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Geostrategy
As Ukraine war grinds on, Saudi influence grows
Saudi Arabia's unexpected role in brokering the release of foreign fighters detained in Ukraine was just the latest example of...
- The release of the 10 foreign fighters, including two from the United States and five from Britain, came alongside a broader prisoner-of-war swap, brokered by Turkey
- Expressions of gratitude for Saudi Arabia immediately poured in from Washington, London and beyond, with officials highlighting the personal involvement of Crown Prince
Death toll mounts in Iran protests as online services cut
Amini, 22, died last week after her arrest by the Islamic republic's feared morality police for allegedly wearing a hijab...
- Protesters have been heard shouting "death to the dictator" and "woman, life, freedom" in video footage shared widely online
- The US Treasury placed the morality police on its sanctions blacklist, holding it responsible for Amini's death
Analysis
Uncertainty rules even as MENA crypto market grows
Crypto investors fear a possible global recession, especially amidst weak economic activity data, Wael Makarem, Senior Market Strategist - MENA...
- Crypto investors fear a possible global recession, especially amidst weak economic activity data, Wael Makarem, Senior Market Strategist - MENA at Exness, tell TRENDS
- As cryptos are revolutionizing the financial industry, many institutions drafting regulations are trying to make the currency fit into the existing financial regulations