Middle East Experience

Israel’s defense minister wants to shut down Galatz over political criticism, but the deeper issue is whether a democracy should run a military station broadcasting to civilians.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Army Radio must eventually be closed, but not now, and only under another government - opinion

Saudi Arabia’s construction sector is booming with a $1.7tn project pipeline, Turner & Townsend cites giga-projects and Vision 2030 as key drivers
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Saudi construction sector surges with .7tn pipeline of projects

Sharjah leads UAE in FDI growth with $1.5bn inflows in H1 2025, 74 new projects, and 2,578 jobs, marking its strongest investment performance yet
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Sharjah records .5bn FDI surge in H1 2025, fastest growth among UAE emirates

The European Union faces fresh tensions as Greece resists Turkey’s effort to tap into a $170 billion defense fund, highlighting long-standing regional disputes.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Ankara shrugs as Greece, Cyprus try to block Turkey from 0B EU defense scheme

By Olivia Le PoidevinGENEVA (Reuters) -The top U.N. expert on Palestinian rights, Francesca Albanese, said Israel was trying to make Gaza City unliveable in its assault on the enclave's largest urban area and was endangering the lives of Israeli hostages."Israel is bombing using unconventional weapons ... it is trying to forcibly evacuate Palestinians. Why? This is the last piece of Gaza that needs to be rendered unliveable before advancing the ethnic cleansing of that piece of land," Albanese told reporters in Geneva.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel seeks to make Gaza City unliveable, says UN expert Francesca Albanese

The conviction of the 22-year-old Jewish religious student comes as Iran expands efforts to recruit both Jews and Arabs in Israel.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israeli student found guilty of spying for Iran: What to know

Al Futtaim acquires a 49.95 per cent stake in Cenomi Retail for $672m, marking one of Saudi Arabia’s largest foreign retail investments
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Saudi retail: Al Futtaim acquires 49.95% stake in Cenomi for 2m

Sharjah real estate transactions surged 75.8 per cent in August 2025 to $1.33bn across 9,379 deals, highlighting strong investor demand and growth
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Sharjah property market surges 75.8% with .33bn transactions in August 2025

Saudi Central Bank launches Google Pay via mada, advancing Vision 2030 goals to boost digital payments, reduce cash reliance, and enhance inclusion
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Saudi Arabia launches Google Pay

By Steven ScheerJERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel needs to invest heavily in "influence operations" in traditional and social media to counteract economic isolation arising from negative publicity abroad, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday.Speaking at a Finance Ministry conference, Netanyahu said foreign investment into Israel had held up in the wake of a 12-day war against Iran in June, which he said removed an immediate threat of a nuclear-armed foe.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Netanyahu says Israel should invest in influence operations to counteract isolation