Opinion People & Lifestyle How many Russians in Dubai? Let’s ask them The official number of Dubai's Russians is almost impossible to obtain, but 25,000 seems low Whether 25,000 or 300,000, it's not called Marinagrad for nothing Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Economy How GCC investors should prepare for the coming US recession Housing is the true US economy indicator, and it's sending out a loud recession SOS The troubled US housing market signals a clear warning for the global economy Matein Khalid, Investor
Opinion Aviation Syria’s fragile flightpath: Can aviation rebuild after a lost decade? It would be a powerful signal that Syria’s aviation sector is on a path to sustainable growth If confidence continues to build, daily services to European cities are entirely possible John Grant, Partner, Midas Aviation
Opinion Finance The UAE’s debut stablecoin has real-world significance Government-backed stablecoins should be safer by design, offering regulatory clarity Stablecoins have hitherto operated in a regulatory grey zone, hindered by vague and inconsistent rules Justin Harper, Business journalist and editor
Opinion Markets Looming ‘5 on 10’ crunch will concentrate minds in the Gulf Most view with trepidation the implications of the ominous '5 on 10' level The yield on 10-year US Treasury bills is creeping up towards 5% Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Trade Turkey can turn crisis into catalyst for global trade power Syria's reconstruction, geoeconomic shifts and trade wars could enhance Turkey's global position Success requires abandoning traditional approaches for bold, decisive action Nicolas Michelon, Managing partner, Alagan
Opinion Markets From petrostate to deal state: Gulf IPO markets mature GCC capital markets are no longer an illiquid sideshow in the emerging markets universe The Gulf's regional exchanges are defying the global slowdown and outperforming their Western peers Matein Khalid, Investor
Opinion Oil & Gas Imagine Texas in Opec+ and you see Kazakhstan’s predicament The extent to which Kazakhstan relies on foreign capital creates a problem in Opec+ In energy diplomacy, Astana wants to be a reliable partner to both East and West Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Entrepreneurs What can GCC startups learn from Africa? Africa presents a chance for GCC startups to expand into an underserved consumer base It would benefit both regions to build stronger ties with one another Triska Hamid, Angel investor
Opinion Leisure & Hospitality Peak Dubai: Jumeirah’s Marsa Al Arab draws the crowds Peak Dubai it may be, but like any peak, it comes with the challenge of getting there Whilst setting a new standard for Dubai luxury, the hotel's popularity is creating a traffic nightmare Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Business of Sport Final whistle for Ronaldo in Riyadh: was it worth it? Ronaldo has never been just a footballer. He is a brand, billboard and model rolled into one A sporting icon departs Al Nassr after raising the profile of Saudi football Gavin Gibbon, Senior editor, AGBI
Opinion Banking and Finance Saudi Arabia’s troubled Swiss banking connection Failure to consult on bank governance can damage, even rupture, international relations Gulf anger simmers as Swiss and US bailouts burn sovereign billions Matein Khalid, Investor
Opinion Media & Advertising Diriyah’s new branding is far from black and white Diriyah Tan 'instantly connects people to Saudi Arabia’s cultural soul'. For others, it’s just brown Owning a colour is a shady business Austyn Allison, Middle East advertising expert
Opinion Media & Advertising Tech, governance and a careful ‘no comment’ at the Arab Media Summit Lebanon and the Lebanese continue to have a huge influence in Arab media It was well worth the wait to dive into the latest trends shaping the media industry Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Business of Sport Gulf states get serious with sports spending Critics who dismiss Gulf nations as frivolous spenders in sport should take a second look The likes of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi are fast becoming more strategic about their commitments Simon Chadwick, Professor of AfroEurasion sport
Opinion Aviation The quiet rise of Middle East low-cost carriers Once marginal, low-cost airlines now make up more than a third of the Gulf's scheduled flights The budget air travel revolution is challenging the airline status quo across the region John Grant, Partner, Midas Aviation
Opinion Logistics With sanctions lifted, Syria’s supply chain is cranking back into life Rebuilding its transport sector is critical for Syria to re-enter the world’s economic system The GCC was quick to recognise the opportunities John Manners-Bell, CEO, Transport Intelligence Insight
Opinion Trade A Gulf perspective on Trump’s ‘palace in the sky’ Gift-giving is a deeply embedded part of government and business culture in the Gulf Congressmen should perhaps ask themselves: is this so unusual, at least by standards in the Arabian Gulf? Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Energy Gulf welcomes Trump’s hands-off approach to energy policy When Opec considers its next move, Trump’s stance is unlikely to be an influencing factor Trillions were pledged in AI and energy, but Opec stayed out of the spotlight Amena Bakr, Head of ME energy, Kpler
Opinion Trade Trump in the Gulf: There’s substance behind the hype Whatever you think of Trump, him saying nice things about you plays well with domestic audiences Was it all just for show? The investment agreements 'signed' during the trip are clearly ludicrous Andrew Cunningham, Middle East banking consultant
Opinion Trade In the Gulf, the US outpaces China where it counts US companies are considered best in class and the Gulf wants to deal with global leaders Gulf states know there is more to gain from denser cooperation with US defence and tech companies Jonathan Fulton, Associate Professor, Zayed University
Opinion Artificial Intelligence The UAE has a mighty backer in AI, but the US gets something too This agreement signals US endorsement of UAE AI ambitions. That’s one mighty backer The two countries have laid the foundations for a long-term AI partnership that will benefit them both Justin Harper, Business journalist and editor
Opinion Oil & Gas Missing from Trump’s Gulf tour: energy dominance American energy leaders must be wondering exactly what their donation dollars were spent on Could it be that Trump doesn’t actually care very much about the oil industry? Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
Opinion Finance How the UAE can build the world’s most modern pension system If the UAE can create a fair and efficient pensions system, it will offer a model for others Reforms offer portability, tech integration and equity for expatriates Guy Opperman, Former UK pensions minister
Opinion Trade Trump’s Gulf visit was grand – but the real test starts now At times Trump's trip was like an episode of 'Wheel of Fortune' – only with a lot more zeros Pledges and deals may change when reality hits Valentina Pasquali, Senior editor, AGBI
Opinion Artificial Intelligence Riyadh moves to rewire its global role with AI The kingdom intends to achieve its data kingpin vision by capitalising on cheap energy Saudi Arabia aims to translate its hydrocarbon wealth into computational power Andreas Krieg, Founder, MENA analytica
Opinion Trade Lesson from Trump in Riyadh: Sleep is for losers Despite the razzamatazz, most agreed there was some substance to the president’s address The Trump show had it all – razzamatazz, politics and a moment of affection for the crown prince Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI
