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Intelligence for the New World Economy

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Intelligence for the New World Economy
Semafor World Economy

Semafor Gulf

Gulf states are rearming rapidly as Iran war reignites

The US recently approved a $2 billion Saudi order for weapons guidance systems, launchers, warheads, and other equipment.
UAE Armed Forces helicopters.
Amr Alfiky/Reuters

US-Iran conflict is becoming a testbed for the future of warfare

The US this week said it had carried out its first offensive combat mission using unmanned surface vessels.
Saronic’s Corsair unmanned surface vessels. Courtesy of Saronic Technologies.

Iran threatens Red Sea gateway as US launches more strikes

Tehran told the Houthis in Yemen to shut down a key oil route through the Red Sea if the US targets Iranian power infrastructure, a report said.
A view of a village on the coast of Bab el-Mandeb, Yemen
Reuters

Ultra-rich pull back from Dubai real estate

Home sales above 10 million dirhams fell 54% in the second quarter compared to the first, according to real-estate brokerage Savills.
General view of the Burj Khalifa and the downtown skyline in Dubai.
Mohammed Salem/File Photo/Reuters

UAE developer Alabbar to invest $20B in Syria developments

The proposed projects, part of a wave of Gulf capital being poured into Syria’s reconstruction, align with a broader effort to keep the country out of Iran’s orbit.
A view of Damascus.
Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters

Ras Al Khaimah growth stalls ahead of Wynn casino opening

The low-profile emirate has been reinventing itself around Wynn Resorts’ Al Marjan Island resort, which will house the Gulf’s first legal casino, but the Iran war has caused delays.
A rendering of the planned Wynn resort on Al Marjan island. Courtesy of Wynn.

Energy will cost more in a ‘low-trust world’: IEA’s Faith Birol

With inventories falling and ships under fire in Hormuz, “it’s too optimistic to believe that the global economy is off the hook,” Birol told the Aspen Security Forum.

Depleted stockpiles stoke global oil supply anxiety

Energy markets had some slack to absorb the first shock, but renewed fighting jeopardizes oil shipments.

Trump turns to commercial diplomacy in Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s warm welcome from Trump buoyed by billions in expected deal announcements

Abu Dhabi’s oysters outnumber expectation

A three-year effort to map the oyster population in Abu Dhabi’s waters yielded more than expected, according to the emirate’s environmental agency.

Revived Iran conflict dims Gulf’s economic recovery hopes

The collapse of the interim peace deal between the US and Iran is delaying recovery in crucial economic sectors, including aviation, energy, tourism, and real estate.

Saudi World Cup fans forced to pirate games after BeIN blackout

The host of the 2034 World Cup has blocked access to the Qatar-controlled network that holds regional media rights for this year’s tournament.

Gulf brands wade into gaming

A Dubai agency says one gaming stream outperformed months of traditional advertising for a carmaker — and more brands are listening.

Trump abandons Hormuz toll plan, restarts naval blockade

Analysts were skeptical about the toll proposal, as it would double the cost of moving oil through the strait.

Saudi economy proves resilient to Iran war fallout

A decades-old oil pipeline to the Red Sea and prudent fiscal policy are helping the kingdom, according to Tim Callen, former IMF mission chief to the kingdom.

Asian buyers cool on Gulf LNG

Around 83% of the Gulf’s LNG exports head to Asia, but the Iran war is changing dynamics, prompting importers to cut demand, switch to other suppliers, or turn to other fuels.

OPEC trims oil demand forecast

The producer group cut its growth forecast for world oil demand this year by 20% — its third straight downward revision.

Saudi AI champion HUMAIN to supply compute to Canada startup Cohere

The deal follows a thawing of bilateral relations after a years-long diplomatic rift over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.