Economics

Voices from the Arab press: Gulf tensions over Iran deepen regional fears

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

US President Donald Trump attends a GCC summit photo session in Riyadh, alongside Qatari, Saudi, and  Bahraini leaders, May 2025.
A container ship sails at the Suez Canal, in Ismailia, Egypt March 31, 2021. Suez Canal Authority/Handout via REUTERS

Israel needs a Suez alternative, the Ben-Gurion Canal offers one - opinion

Yasser Abbas, member of the Fatah Central Committee, attends the announcement of results of the 8th General Conference of Fatah during a press conference in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, May 18, 2026.

Europe’s applause for Abbas is failing Palestinian democracy - opinion

David Group founder Stella Cohen and Chairman Raanan Agus

Israeli private equity firm David Group launches to invest in mature businesses


US issues new sanctions over Iran's oil shipments to China as part of Economic Fury

The State Department also announced a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the disruption of the financial mechanisms of the IRGC.

Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz, December 21, 2018.

In double trouble: Iran’s oil crisis – opinion

Given that the Islamic Republic’s lifeblood – oil – is being squeezed, it should learn from history that collapse always begins with a warning sign such as this one

A Satellite image shows a likely oil spill covering dozens of square kilometers near Iran’s Kharg Island, earlier this month.

The Red Sea, Assab, and the possibility of a reimagined Horn of Africa - opinion

Ethiopia’s push for Red Sea access reflects economic necessity, not a call for war.

Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki and Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed at inauguration ceremony of reopening Eritrean embassy in Addis Ababa, 2018

Israel must reverse the loss of its top scientists and doctors - opinion

The loss of Israeli scientists abroad carries a high strategic cost; reversing brain drain is key to preserving national excellence.

ISRAELI SCIENTISTS who reside overseas visit the Teva factory as part of a new project to encourage their return to Israel.

The renewed struggle over the Falkland Islands, and implications for Israel - opinion

Argentina’s assertiveness under President Javier Milei and evolving US policy reopen dormant Falklands questions.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei attends a ceremony honoring victims of the 1982 Falklands War.

Israel–Iran energy infrastructure war signals a dangerous new escalation - opinion

Strikes on refineries and gas facilities signal a new phase in the Israel–Iran war with systemic risks beyond the battlefield.

Smoke rises from the oil refineries in Haifa, northern Israel, following a missile strike fired from Iran toward Israel, in March.

The scarcity doctrine and Israel’s historic weakness as a global strength - opinion

Israel is a nation that turned a lack of resources into a high-growth system defined not by what it has, but by how it survives.

Rises on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange – Green Screens.

Your Taxes: The Iran war’s commercial impact

The latest Iran war is having an economic impact on the world economy. If less fuel is available to the world through the Strait of Hormuz, it means less travel and fewer petroleum products.

 Oil, miniatures of oil barrels, oil pump jack and U.S. dollar banknote are seen in this illustration taken, June 6, 2023.

Political, economic pressures mount as US-Israel war with Iran continues - opinion

An extended conflict in Iran may shift control of the war away from Israel and the US.

 Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and US President Donald Trump (illustrative)

2026 market trends every MENA trader should watch

"The markets in 2026 will be influenced by a combination of macroeconomic forces, changes in monetary policies, and the continuation of geopolitical events."