US–Iran tensions escalate toward war as Gulf military buildup and Israeli preparations intensify
Indirect talks in Geneva have yielded what officials call “guiding principles” for a possible agreement, but the framework remains skeletal and major gaps still separate US demands from Iran’s red lines.
Geostrategy
The great tech reset: How the gulf turned sovereign capital into a tech ecosystem
The GCC has quickly moved from passive capital allocation into active ecosystem building, spurred on by heavy sovereign capital and large infrastructure bets, setting the region apart from Europe and US markets.
Economy
The GCC must deploy its ‘strategic advantages’ to lead the transition
Few regions in the world have the strategic advantages that the GCC holds today: financial strength, bold national visions, deep global connectivity, and leadership willing to think generationally rather than incrementally. But these advantages must now be deployed in new ways, writes Fredrik Galtung, Chief Facilitator CATALYST NOW.
The models that once governed aid, CSR, employment, and economic engagement are shifting, and the GCC has an opportunity to lead the transition rather than adapt to it.
How the Middle East is positioning itself at the crossroads of a changing world
AI, geopolitics, climate, and demographics are reshaping the Middle East’s growth model beyond oil.
Economy
GCC should focus on tech-enabled authentic, sustainable hospitality
AI fluency is not prioritized enough in schools today. If AI skills are not on your resume, you will have a very difficult time finding a job in the future, says Klaus Kohlmayr, Chief Evangelist and Development Officer at IDeaS.
Interview
Cybersecurity must evolve from blocking threats to safeguarding the innovation process
When businesses increasingly rely on AI to make decisions, a manipulated dataset can cause more harm than a ransomware attack,...
Interview
Building the New Creative Engine of the Knowledge Economy: Mark Penn
Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, explains how AI and global tech partnerships are reshaping marketing and the GCC’s knowledge economy.
Economy
UAE is converting talent, trust, and technology into a Knowledge Nation
Dr. Lolowa AlMarzooqi, Associate Vice Provost at New York University Abu Dhabi, tells TRENDS that the UAE’s real competitive edge lies in its people and how the country’s approach to talent, leadership, and lifelong learning is shaping its next phase of growth.
Interview
Susie Ellis
Chair & CEO, Global Wellness Summit and Global Wellness Institute
Industry: Wellness
Victor Abou-Ghanem
CEO, STORY Hospitality
Industry: Hospitality
The new knowledge economy belongs to super users: Michael Wolf
Activate Consulting CEO Michael Wolf tells TRENDS how AI, media and shifting consumer behaviour are driving the next knowledge economy.
Business
Liliana Paraipan
Wellness Director at ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea
Industry: Hospitality Industry
MENA must integrate research, enterprise, and leadership development
Over the next five years, knowledge and innovation will redefine the MENA region’s economic landscape, moving it beyond traditional resource dependence, says Mark Mortensen, Associate Dean and Professor of Organizational Behavior at INSEAD.
Interview
Saudi knowledge economy accelerates as Vision 2030 targets move within reach
The government has successfully implemented more than 900 reforms, including restructuring legal and labor frameworks, establishing new public authorities, and significantly expanding women’s participation in the workforce.
Economy
US–Iran tensions escalate toward war as Gulf military buildup and Israeli preparations intensify
Indirect talks in Geneva have yielded what officials call “guiding principles” for a possible agreement, but the framework remains skeletal...
Geostrategy
Company News
The great tech reset: How the gulf turned sovereign capital into a tech ecosystem
The GCC has quickly moved from passive capital allocation into active ecosystem building, spurred on by heavy sovereign capital and...
Economy
Latest News
Saudi Arabia’s UAE ‘mudslinging’ threatens new Gulf crisis
The United Arab Emirates is "investing in chaos and supporting secessionists" from Libya to Yemen and the Horn of Africa,...
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, six others accept Trump ‘Board of Peace’ invite: statement
Saudi Arabia and seven Muslim-majority countries including Gaza mediators Qatar and Turkey have agreed to join US President Donald Trump's "Board...
Iraq announces complete withdrawal of US-led coalition from federal territory
Iraq said on Sunday US-led coalition forces had finished withdrawing from bases within the country's federal territory, which excludes the...
Trump threatens European nations with tariffs over Greenland
Trump aimed his ire at Denmark, a fellow NATO member, as well as several European countries that have deployed troops...
AI promise uneven as economists flag debt and market vulnerabilities
In its latest Chief Economists’ Outlook, the WEF said 53 percent of surveyed economists expect global economic conditions to weaken...
The GCC must deploy its ‘strategic advantages’ to lead the transition
The models that once governed aid, CSR, employment, and economic engagement are shifting, and the GCC has an opportunity to lead the transition rather than adapt to...
How the Middle East is positioning itself at the crossroads of a changing world
AI, geopolitics, climate, and demographics are reshaping the Middle East’s growth model beyond oil.
Economy
EDITOR'S PICK
3 ways travel drives economic growth while enhancing global connections and sustainability
WTTC research shows that, having endured estimated losses of $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs...
EVs just the start, urban mobility needs a holistic approach
Cities must adopt EVs alongside shared transport, robust infrastructure, clean energy, and inclusivity, says Jamie...
Exclusive: Private military companies look at $366.8bn market as their demand, role in global conflicts rise
Rising security concerns, confrontational geopolitics, and chaotic global changes have fueled the demand for private...
TikTok under fire: Espionage claims, election influence campaigns and controversies
The platform faces accusations of espionage in the United States, while the European Union has...
Building the New Creative Engine of the Knowledge Economy: Mark Penn
Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, explains how AI and global tech partnerships are reshaping marketing and the GCC’s...
Economy
Latest News
AI promise uneven as economists flag debt and market vulnerabilities
In its latest Chief Economists’ Outlook, the WEF said 53 percent of surveyed economists expect global economic conditions to weaken...
WEF flags geoeconomic confrontation as top global risk for 2026
Experts warn economic warfare, misinformation and unchecked AI could amplify global shocks as cooperation weakens across political and trade blocs.
World Bank lifts 2026 growth forecast, warns of softer demand
The bank expects world GDP growth of 2.6 percent this year, according to its latest global economic prospects report. The...
Gold hits record high, dollar falls as US targets Fed
Fed Chair Jerome Powell confirmed the "unprecedented" subpoenas against the bank in a rare video address on Sunday, which he...
Trump reposts suggestion that Rubio become next Cuba leader
President Donald Trump reposted a social media message on Sunday suggesting that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, born to Cuban...
Company News
GCC should focus on tech-enabled authentic, sustainable hospitality
AI fluency is not prioritized enough in schools today. If AI skills are not on your resume, you will have...
Interview
MENA must integrate research, enterprise, and leadership development
Over the next five years, knowledge and innovation will redefine the MENA region’s economic landscape, moving it beyond traditional resource...
Interview
Cybersecurity must evolve from blocking threats to safeguarding the innovation process
When businesses increasingly rely on AI to make decisions, a manipulated dataset can cause more harm than a ransomware attack,...
Interview
UAE is converting talent, trust, and technology into a Knowledge Nation
Dr. Lolowa AlMarzooqi, Associate Vice Provost at New York University Abu Dhabi, tells TRENDS that the UAE’s real competitive edge...
Interview
The new knowledge economy belongs to super users: Michael Wolf
Activate Consulting CEO Michael Wolf tells TRENDS how AI, media and shifting consumer behaviour are driving the next knowledge economy.
Business
Saudi knowledge economy accelerates as Vision 2030 targets move within reach
The government has successfully implemented more than 900 reforms, including restructuring legal and labor frameworks, establishing new public authorities, and...
Economy
Economy
Battle of the Tech Hubs
The GCC is competing to build world-class technology hubs, investing heavily in AI, infrastructure, and sovereign capital to drive digital...
- The GCC smart cities and digital transformation market reached $145.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $907 billion by 2032.
- Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, for instance, was the largest sovereign-owned investor globally in 2024, deploying $29 billion across 52 deals, a 67 percent increase from the previous year.
Geostrategy
Israeli strikes kill 12 Palestinians in Gaza amid measures to ‘annex’ more West Bank land
Palestinian officials described the Israeli parliament's decision related to West Bank land as a “serious escalation,” while armed groups and...
- Several governments have renewed warnings that unilateral annexation or settlement expansion would violate international law and risk further destabilizing the region.
- The latest Gaza killings also comes as indirect negotiations and mediation efforts have struggled to gain traction.
Economy
‘Innovation takes time—The Gulf’s economic transformation requires patience and persistence’
In an interview with TRENDS, Josh Lerner says Gulf economies pursuing diversification must recognize that transformation takes time, patience, and...
- Innovation reforms take time, strong institutions, and market-aligned policies, Josh Lerner tells TRENDS
- Funding alone is not enough; follow-on capital and a culture that rewards risk are essential, he adds
Susie Ellis
Chair & CEO, Global Wellness Summit and Global Wellness Institute
Industry: Wellness
Victor Abou-Ghanem
CEO, STORY Hospitality
Industry: Hospitality
Liliana Paraipan
Wellness Director at ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea
Industry: Hospitality Industry