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Lebanon feels the economic shock of war

Jan 16, 2024
After weathering an economic meltdown, Lebanon's restaurants and hotels face the challenge of staying open amid the Israel-Hamas war.
During the first month of the war, the Lebanese restaurant sector suffered an 80% drop in business. Above, a restaurant worker waits for customers in Byblos in November.
Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images

The war in Ukraine is pushing bread prices higher in the Middle East. That could lead to unrest.

Mar 28, 2022
High bread prices have helped topple governments in the region.
Egyptian men work in a bakery at a market in Cairo on March 17, 2022. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused wheat prices to soar — necessary for bread, an important food staple in the Middle East.
Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images

Israel-UAE deal draws ire, praise and the potential for an economic boost

Aug 14, 2020
There are a lot of opportunities for investment and technology, tourism and trade, Middle East researcher Sanam Vakil says.
The U.S.-brokered deal could lead to an increase in trade and travel for both Israel and the UAE, says Sanam Vakil at Chatham House.
Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images

Oil-rich countries have been hit hard by the pandemic. How can they move on?

Oil prices are still far below the break-even point for many producers in the Middle East.
Transitioning away from oil, for countries that depend on the industry, is easier said than done.
Joe Raedle/Newsmakers

What if the U.S. stopped protecting the Strait of Hormuz?

Jun 24, 2019
It wouldn't change much at the pump — at least here at home.
An oil tanker is protected by the U.S. guided missile frigate USS Gallery in the Strait of Hormuz in 1988. In a tweet Monday, President Donald Trump questioned the United States' decadeslong protection of the strait.
NORBERT SCHILLER/AFP/Getty Images

Russia plays oil diplomacy card in Middle East

May 10, 2019
Russia has leveraged its oil and gas market power to enhance its influence in the Middle East, just as the U.S. is pulling back from the region.
Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images

Mnuchin heads to Middle East focused on disrupting terrorist financing

Oct 25, 2017
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks in Saudi Arabia today at the launch of what’s being called the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center. Mnuchin’s leading a weeklong delegation to the Middle East to meet with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar to talk about ways to combat terrorist financing.  Click the audio player above to hear […]

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Saudi allies ramp up sanctions on Qatar

Jun 12, 2017
Qatar is promising not to surrender in the face of sanctions imposed on it last week. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain halted land, air and sea traffic to Qatar and blacklisted several Qatari-linked organizations and individuals. They accuse the small oil-rich nation of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and other groups they […]

5 Mideast countries cut ties with Qatar

Jun 5, 2017
Simon Henderson of The Washington Institute says a major political crisis could affect the supply and price of oil.
Some nations are cutting off air and sea traffic with Qatar, above.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

What Trump's dealmaking is up against on his visit to Israel

May 16, 2017
'The reality is that the sides are a long way apart,' says David Horovitz, editor of The Times of Israel.
President Donald Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands following a joint news conference at the White House in February.
Win McNamee/Getty Images