WEAK LINK

The U.S. is examining whether to rebuild its large network of Gulf military bases after Iranian attacks exposed vulnerabilities in an American regional footprint built up since the 1990s, the Financial Times reports. Africa correspondent Jacob Judah cites the widening gap between Gulf political confidence in Washington’s security commitments and its deepening military ties with the individual governments. He quotes Dana Stroul, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, who says a delicate balance will be required between U.S. operational requirements and Washington’s commitments to partners, noting the need to assess the assets and troop presence to backstop the security of Gulf states. “It will be important to avoid the perception that we are abandoning them,” Stroul said.

SPACE RACE

Saudi Arabia’s space economy is projected to nearly quadruple to $31.6 billion by 2035 as the kingdom invests in satellites and digital technologies. Key areas of satellite use will be climate monitoring, agriculture, water management and disaster response, according to a report by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission and the International Telecommunication Union.  The expansion is part of a broader push to develop digital infrastructure and space-based services while using technology to address environmental challenges, Arab News reports. “Saudi Arabia is committed to unlocking the full potential of artificial intelligence and digital innovation as powerful enablers of sustainable development,” Abdullah Al-Swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said in the report.

ADNOC: ADNOC Drilling plans to expand in Egypt through partnerships with state-backed oil companies as Cairo seeks investment to boost domestic oil and gas production.

Public Investment Fund: Flynas, the low-cost Saudi airline partially owned by the sovereign wealth fund, received a new Airbus A320neo aircraft, boosting its fleet to 68 planes.

LIV Golf: The struggling PGA rival, which the PIF said it will no longer support, is cutting tournaments and payouts while facing a $1.2 million lawsuit from an unpaid vendor, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Ma’aden: The Saudi mining giant, majority controlled by the PIF, secured its first $1 billion in international syndicated credit facilities in an oversubscribed deal that drew banks from the U.S., Canada, Europe, China and Japan.

Qatar Investment Authority: California Attorney General Rob Bonta canceled settlement talks with Paramount over its proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition, accusing the company of bad faith, the New York Times reports. Paramount’s sovereign backers for the bid include the QIA, PIF and Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad Holding Co.

🇪🇬 China complex: Egypt is considering a $2 billion Chinese-backed industrial complex in the Suez Canal Economic Zone that would create more than 3,000 jobs, while supplying the domestic market and producing goods for export.

🛡️ Drone Defense: Florida startup Powerus has opened a UAE production line assembling low-cost Guardian drone interceptors, part of its push to manufacture weapons closer to where they are needed amid Iranian attacks on the U.S.’s Gulf allies, The New York Times reports.

✈️ Destination Kuwait: Emirates has resumed Dubai-Kuwait flights after an extended suspension, though services remain significantly below previous levels.

🇪🇬 China complex: Egypt is considering a $2 billion Chinese-backed industrial complex in the Suez Canal Economic Zone that would create more than 3,000 jobs while supplying the domestic market and producing goods for export.

🛡️ Drone Defense: Florida startup Powerus has opened a UAE production line assembling low-cost Guardian drone interceptors, part of its push to manufacture weapons closer to where they are needed amid Iranian attacks on the U.S.’s Gulf allies, The New York Times reports.

✈️ Destination Kuwait: Emirates has resumed Dubai-Kuwait flights after an extended suspension, though services remain significantly below previous levels.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a two-day trip to France, where he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron about economic and defense issues, later attending the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup in Paris on Sunday.

Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad, Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Monday.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, reviewed progress on 104 real estate projects worth $30 billion in the first half of 2026.

Khaldoon Al Mubarak, CEO of Mubadala and Chairman of the U.K.’s Manchester City football club, unveiled a mosaic at the team’s headquarters dedicated to former captain and Club legend Steph Houghton.

Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade and Chairman of the UAE International Investment Council, chaired a board meeting to review developments. 

Mashail Mohammed Alkarni was appointed as the spokesperson of the Saudi Tourism Development Fund.

Pedro Uria-Recio was appointed as Chief AI Officer of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. He was previously Chief Data & Artificial Intelligence Officer at CIMB Bank in Malaysia.

🇦🇪 Moscow Majlis: Abu Dhabi brought Emirati culture to the heart of Moscow with a five-day festival near Red Square featuring traditional Al-Ayyala dancing, handicrafts, Arabic coffee, local food and displays highlighting the emirate’s pearl-diving and seafaring heritage. Organized by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism and the UAE Embassy in Russia, the free event at Manezhnaya Square ran through Sunday as part of Moscow’s summer festival program.

📷 Photo of the Day

August 28-Sept. 6, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. An annual event celebrating traditional Emirati heritage and culture. ADNEC center.

August 30-Sept. 2, Riyadh. Big 5 Construct. The event connects construction industry stakeholders with suppliers in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

August 31-Sept. 3, Riyadh. LEAP Expo Riyadh. A major tech trade show for the Middle East, which includes a global startup live pitch event. RECC Malham.

Sept. 1-3, Dubai. Middle East Energy.  A three-day energy exhibition in Dubai brings together utilities, developers, manufacturers and industry professionals. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 1-3, Doha. Qatar Event Show. Brings together the events industry through a three-day program featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops and networking opportunities. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Sept.7-8, Abu Dhabi. Hili Forum. The events bring policymakers and leading experts to examine the future of regional security, trade and energy corridors and technology. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Sept. 7-9, Dubai. AIM Congress. The global investment platform’s annual meeting brings together investors, governments, businesses and policymakers. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles. ADNEC Centre.  

Sept. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC Centre.

Sept. 14-16, Riyadh. Money 20/20. The event brings together banks, Big Tech, fintechs, regulators, startups and investors. Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre. 

Sept.14-17, Bangkok. Gastech.  The global energy event brings together global energy leaders, policymakers and industry experts to explore natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, low-carbon solutions, electrification and AI. Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

Sept. 14-18, Dubai. Arabian Travel Market. The flagship global travel trade show, which was postponed in May, returns, bringing 55,000+ travel professionals, 2,800+ exhibitors and representatives from 166 countries. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Forum. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 16-18, Dubai. GISEC Global. MENA’S largest cybersecurity event brings together governments, CISOs, technology companies and cybersecurity experts to explore emerging threats, AI security, and other technologies. Dubai Exhibition Centre. 

Sept. 17-19, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show 2026. An event targeting investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. ADNEC Centre.

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg: UNGA Special Edition 2026. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 UNGA in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abu Dhabi. LIVEX 2026. Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 6-7, Abu Dhabi. AiEverything.The AI Summit brings together policymakers, innovators and business leaders. ADNEC.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21-24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. 

TANKER SCRAMBLE

Soaring demand for oil tankers is driving costs to record highs as Gulf producers struggle to keep crude flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. Prices for supertankers have topped $130 million, the highest since 2008, while charter rates are also soaring, the Financial Times reports. Meanwhile, ADNOC and Kuwait Petroleum have set up shuttle operations through the war-disrupted strait, and Iraq is offering bigger discounts to buyers willing to risk the passage. The scramble has sent daily rates on some Hormuz-to-China voyages above $550,000, with just 29 tankers now accounting for more than half of all trips through the strait.

EXTREMIST PURGE

Saudi Arabia’s Etidal, a government-backed center that tracks and analyzes extremist propaganda online, worked with Telegram to remove some 34 million pieces of content and shut down 1,275 channels in the first half of 2026. The material – including videos, audio files, documents and other propaganda – was posted on Telegram, the popular messaging app whose public channels can reach large audiences, Arab News reports. Etidal identifies material linked to groups such as ISIS and Al Qaeda and flags it for Telegram, whose moderators decide what to remove. Since the partnership began in 2022, Telegram has removed nearly 293 million items and closed more than 20,000 channels identified through the effort. 

Public Investment Fund: Cenomi Centers is teaming up with the Saudi sovereign wealth fund to develop a shopping mall in Medina’s Al Madinah Downtown project.

Oman Investment Authority: Oman Investment Authority President Abdulsalam Al Murshidi led a delegation visiting Solidcore Resources’ Kyzyl mine and processing plant in Kazakhstan.

ADNOC: The UAE national oil company’s ADNOC Distribution unit agreed to sell a minority stake in Shell Downstream South Africa to Reatile Group after it completes a planned $1 billion acquisition of the company in 2027.

✈️ Jet Fuel: The U.S. State Department approved a possible $4.5 billion sale to Qatar of as many as four Boeing KC-46A aerial refueling tankers, with Boeing, RTX and Northrop Grumman serving as the principal contractors.

🚧 Construction Phase: Sharjah-based Arada won a contract to develop a $1.4 billion residential project in Broadbeach on Australia’s Gold Coast.

💵Capital Takeover: Exits MENA, an investment advisory firm, is acquiring Avanz Capital Egypt, which will be rebranded as Exits Manara.

⚡Energy Sector: Saudi Arabia is developing four battery energy storage projects with a combined capacity of 2,000MW and a four-hour storage duration, backed by $1.2 billion in investment to strengthen grid reliability amid rising electricity demand.

🚨Finance Crackdown: Two Binance employees were briefly detained by UAE authorities over inquiries into possible financial crimes, but the crypto exchange said they were cleared and released, Reuters reports.

⛳ Golf Reset: The PGA Tour will adopt a two-tier structure in 2028 with at least $20 million in prize money for elite events, cementing changes made to fend off Saudi-backed LIV Golf, whose challenge to the U.S. tour has effectively collapsed after five years of upheaval, the Financial Times reports.

🕸️ Air Connection: Qatar Airways said it will become the first airline to operate a fleet of Boeing 787-9 aircraft equipped with onboard Wi-Fi provided by Starlink.

📉 Declining Assets: Moody’s expects Qatari banks’ net profits to decline in 2026 as higher credit costs put pressure on asset quality amid the Middle East conflict.

Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmed, met with Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, on Tuesday at Al Bayan Palace in Kuwait.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with Omar Bula Escobar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of northern emirate Ras Al Khaimah, met with UAE Government Cyber Security Council on Tuesday.

Nasser Al Sharji was named as Oman Air’s new CEO starting Sept. 1, replacing Con Korfiatis, who oversaw a two-year restructuring of the national carrier.

Khalid Alia was appointed Chief Digital and Customer Experience Officer at stc Bahrain, a digital enabler.

Mohammad Al Sari was appointed as CEO of HRE Development, a Dubai-based real estate developer. 

🎨 Kids’ Canvas: Abu Dhabi is preparing to stage what organizers call the Arab world’s first outdoor art biennale devoted to children. The one-month show, scheduled to start Nov. 6, will fill the capital city’s Umm Al Emarat Park with works designed to be experienced through touch, sound, movement and light, The National reports. Among the featured artists will be Alia AlShamsi of the UAE, Hana El-Sagini from Egypt and Indonesia’s Eko Nugroho. 

📷 Photo of the Day

August 28-Sept. 6, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. An annual event celebrating traditional Emirati heritage and culture. ADNEC center.

August 30-Sept. 2, Riyadh. Big 5 Construct. The event connects construction industry stakeholders with suppliers in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

August 31-Sept. 3, Riyadh. LEAP Expo Riyadh. A major tech trade show for the Middle East, which includes a global startup live pitch event. RECC Malham.

Sept. 1-3, Dubai. Middle East Energy.  A three-day energy exhibition in Dubai brings together utilities, developers, manufacturers and industry professionals. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 1-3, Doha. Qatar Event Show. Brings together the events industry through a three-day program featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops and networking opportunities. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Sept.7-8, Abu Dhabi. Hili Forum. The events bring policymakers and leading experts to examine the future of regional security, trade and energy corridors and technology. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Sept. 7-9, Dubai. AIM Congress. The global investment platform’s annual meeting brings together investors, governments, businesses and policymakers. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles. ADNEC Centre.  

Sept. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC Centre.

Sept. 14-16, Riyadh. Money 20/20. The event brings together banks, Big Tech, fintechs, regulators, startups and investors. Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre. 

Sept.14-17, Bangkok. Gastech.  The global energy event brings together global energy leaders, policymakers and industry experts to explore natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, low-carbon solutions, electrification and AI. Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

Sept. 14-18, Dubai. Arabian Travel Market. The flagship global travel trade show, which was postponed in May, returns, bringing 55,000+ travel professionals, 2,800+ exhibitors and representatives from 166 countries. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Forum. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 16-18, Dubai. GISEC Global. MENA’S largest cybersecurity event brings together governments, CISOs, technology companies and cybersecurity experts to explore emerging threats, AI security, and other technologies. Dubai Exhibition Centre. 

Sept. 17-19, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show 2026. An event targeting investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. ADNEC Centre.

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg: UNGA Special Edition 2026. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 UNGA in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abu Dhabi. LIVEX 2026. Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 6-7, Abu Dhabi. AiEverything.The AI Summit brings together policymakers, innovators and business leaders. ADNEC.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21-24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. 

SQUEEZING IRAN

Iran is losing one of its biggest economic lifelines as the UAE cuts off financial and commercial transactions with Tehran. Dubai has long served as a gateway for Iranian imports, foreign currency and access to the global financial system, The Wall Street Journal reports. The cutoff could give U.S. President Donald Trump a powerful tool in his campaign to squeeze Iran economically by closing channels Tehran has used to work around international sanctions. Enforcement may prove difficult, however, after Iranian businesses spent years building networks of shell companies, money exchanges and other workarounds in Dubai, the Journal said.

KUWAITI REBOUND

Kuwait Petroleum Corp.’s scorched waterfront headquarters has become a symbol of the Iran war’s impact on the Gulf nation. The government is trying to reassure businesses that the country remains open for business despite the April drone strike that forced employees to relocate while operations continued, Bloomberg reports. After seven months of conflict, Kuwait is focused on maintaining oil exports, electricity and desalination supplies and normal economic activity, including a $16 billion pipeline deal with North American firms. The response reflects a resilience shaped by the 1990 Iraqi invasion, with many Kuwaitis seeing the latest conflict as another chapter in the country’s struggle to preserve its independence, the news agency said.

Aramco: Saudi Aramco will supply at least three European refiners with their full requested crude volumes for September, using export routes including Egypt’s Sidi Kerir and Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu as disruptions continue in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, Bloomberg reports.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Arabia spent more than $50 billion on the construction of its NEOM megaproject, with the PIF now paying billions more to wind down contracts, leaving partially built structures in the desert, The Wall Street Journal reports.

DP World: DP World is expanding its Southeast Asian logistics network, opening a warehouse in Malaysia and planning facilities in Kuala Lumpur, the Philippines and Thailand by year-end.

🚕 Bolt Boost: Dubai Taxi Co. and Bolt are adding Arabia Taxi’s 1,607 vehicles to the Bolt ride-hailing platform, expanding their Dubai fleet to boost availability and cut passenger wait times.

📦 Indian Logistics: Bahrain-based Investcorp acquired India’s 20Cube 3PL Solutions for about $58 million and plans, together with 20Cube, to invest up to another $78 million buying logistics businesses as it expands in the fast-growing Indian market.

🚚 Building Blocks: Egypt’s EDECS Group won a contract from DP World to redevelop seven cargo and material handling yards at Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Port, expanding its logistics footprint in East and Central Africa.

☀️ Tight Deadline: Saudi Arabia must accelerate renewable energy development to meet its 2030 target of generating half its electricity from green sources, despite war-related supply-chain disruptions and tighter financing, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports.

💻 Tech Allies: Dubai and India have deepened cooperation on agentic AI through a preliminary agreement between Dubai Chambers and Nasscom to help UAE businesses adopt the technology and Indian AI firms expand into the Emirates.

💵 Targeting Investors: The Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park is aiming to commercialize products in water, food, energy, sustainability and advanced manufacturing.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, met with Toshimitsu Motegi, Japanese Foreign Minister, who said that the kingdom is seeing “promising opportunities to expand cooperation” in investment, energy, resources, supply chains, defense, and technology.

Prince Faisal also met with Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman in Riyadh. 

Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber of Kuwait received a letter from Sudan’s President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan.

Dr. Anwar Gargash, Adviser to the UAE President, said several media outlets circulated “false information” about alleged loopholes in the country’s financial sanctions against Iran.

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral Group, the company bringing Disney World to Abu Dhabi, attended D23, an event for Disney fans in Anaheim, Calif.

Gianni Infantino: The Qatar Football Association expressed concerns over the lack of consultation with members before the Asian Football Confederation signed an open letter criticizing Infantino, the FIFA President, Reuters reports.

Abdulaziz Alobaidli, Director General for Regulatory Affairs at the Department of Energy in Abu Dhabi, told The National that the city’s power demand is expected to double by 2050.

Yevgeny Dibrov, the co-founder of cybersecurity firm Armis, is profiled in Fortune, which recounts his start in an elite Israeli military technology unit before selling Armis to ServiceNow for $7.75 billion in April.

📚 Back to Books: The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair returns Sept. 13 after the Iran war forced organizers to postpone it from April. The six-day event will also host the delayed Sheikh Zayed Book Award, one of the Arab world’s biggest literary prizes, with $2.1 million in prize money. Taking center stage will be the classic novel Don Quixote, with talks exploring Miguel de Cervantes’ tale of the would-be knight and his sidekick Sancho Panza, and how their adventures found an audience in the Arab world, The National reports.

📷 Photo of the Day

August 28-Sept. 6, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. An annual event celebrating traditional Emirati heritage and culture. ADNEC center.

August 30-Sept. 2, Riyadh. Big 5 Construct. The event connects construction industry stakeholders with suppliers in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

August 31-Sept. 3, Riyadh. LEAP Expo Riyadh. A major tech trade show for the Middle East, which includes a global startup live pitch event. RECC Malham.

Sept. 1-3, Dubai. Middle East Energy.  A three-day energy exhibition in Dubai brings together utilities, developers, manufacturers and industry professionals. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 1-3, Doha. Qatar Event Show. Brings together the events industry through a three-day program featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops and networking opportunities. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Sept.7-8, Abu Dhabi. Hili Forum. The events bring policymakers and leading experts to examine the future of regional security, trade and energy corridors and technology. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Sept. 7-9, Dubai. AIM Congress. The global investment platform’s annual meeting brings together investors, governments, businesses and policymakers. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles. ADNEC Centre.  

Sept. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC Centre.

Sept. 14-16, Riyadh. Money 20/20. The event brings together banks, Big Tech, fintechs, regulators, startups and investors. Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre. 

Sept.14-17, Bangkok. Gastech.  The global energy event brings together global energy leaders, policymakers and industry experts to explore natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, low-carbon solutions, electrification and AI. Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

Sept. 14-18, Dubai. Arabian Travel Market. The flagship global travel trade show, which was postponed in May, returns, bringing 55,000+ travel professionals, 2,800+ exhibitors and representatives from 166 countries. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Forum. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 16-18, Dubai. GISEC Global. MENA’S largest cybersecurity event brings together governments, CISOs, technology companies and cybersecurity experts to explore emerging threats, AI security, and other technologies. Dubai Exhibition Centre. 

Sept. 17-19, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show 2026. An event targeting investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. ADNEC Centre.

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg: UNGA Special Edition 2026. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 UNGA in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abu Dhabi. LIVEX 2026. Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 6-7, Abu Dhabi. AiEverything.The AI Summit brings together policymakers, innovators and business leaders. ADNEC.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21-24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. 

BANKING RIFT

Saudi Arabia is treating financial transfers to the UAE with the extra scrutiny generally applied to countries suspected of money laundering. The Saudi central bank notified key banks earlier this year to apply the additional checks, Reuters reports, citing three people with direct knowledge of the policy and six who said transfers to the UAE have been delayed or returned. The Saudi central bank said there are “no direct restrictions on specific countries,” while a UAE official said the government had received no reports of unusual transfer delays. One Saudi insider told the news agency that the measures are a “subtle message” to Abu Dhabi amid widening tensions between the two Gulf powers. 

REAPING REWARDS

A potential $2 trillion IPO by Anthropic this autumn could reward Gulf sovereign wealth funds for investing early in the AI developer. Anthropic counts the Qatar Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi’s MGX – a joint venture between Mubadala and G42 – and Alpha Wave, which is majority-owned by International Holding Co.’s Judan Financial, among its startup backers, with the funds committing an estimated $7.5 billion, Arabian Gulf Business Insight writes. Institutional investors interviewed by the Financial Times last week expect Anthropic to reach a $2 trillion valuation when it goes to market. The San Francisco-based company’s preliminary second-quarter revenue exceeded $11.5 billion, up from $787 million a year earlier and $4.7 billion in the first quarter.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Aramco and PIF-owned mining company Maaden are forming a joint venture to explore for copper and other critical minerals across a 100-kilometer area of the kingdom.

LIV Golf: The upstart golf league that was founded by the PIF – which is now withdrawing support – has canceled its final event of the season, moving the team championship to Indianapolis this week.

Red Sea Global: The Saudi tourism developer has opened the Rosewood AMAALA at Triple Bay resort on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast, which it is pitching as a “wellness destination.”

💰 Asia Expansion: The Abu Dhabi Investment Council is committing about $1 billion to Singapore-based hedge fund firm Dymon Asia Capital to support its expansion from London to Hong Kong, while ADIC increases its exposure to hedge funds, Bloomberg reports.

📈 Raising Stakes: Saudi Arabia’s holdings of U.S. Treasuries rose by approximately $2.2 billion to $142.5 billion in June 2026, compared with the previous month, according to data from the U.S. Treasury Department.

☀️ Energy Boost: Saudi Arabia’s cumulative investment in operating renewable energy projects reached $9.6 billion by the end of 2025, with 15 projects providing more than 12,000 megawatts of capacity, up 88% year-on-year after five new solar projects came online.

⚜️ Gold Diggers: Saudi Gold Refinery Co. has applied for exploration licenses in Egypt’s Eastern Desert and aims to secure a mining license and begin gold production before 2030, Chairman Suliman Al-Othaim said.

👓 Seeing AI: Blind Egyptian entrepreneur Mark Morad, 20, developed ScribeMe, an AI-assisted app that describes the world to visually impaired users through smartphones and Meta glasses and is now used by thousands of people in 140 countries, Reuters reports.

🚢 Tanker Premium: Daily earnings for supertankers carrying Persian Gulf crude to China have surged to nearly $510,000, a two-month high, as Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the UAE scramble for vessels to move promised supplies through the still-dangerous Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reports.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on Tuesday with UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed over security issues, including Lebanon coordination in the region.

Prince Turki Al-Faisal, former head of Saudi Arabia’s General Intelligence Presidency, spoke at the closing ceremony of the Gulf Academy for Leadership and Innovation in the U.K. for budding government and business leaders across the GCC.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, advisor at the Saudi Royal Court and supervisor-general of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, met with Ghazi Al-Enez, Saudi Ambassador to Syria, in Riyadh.

Afra Al Hameli, Director of Strategic Communications at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran have been halted until further notice.

David Petraeus, former Director of the CIA, said 15% of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas “is out” for the next three to five years as a result of Iranian strikes and that Saudi oil facilities have also been damaged, speaking to The Cipher Brief.

Ayesha Bin Kalban, the Dubai International Financial Centre’s Courts Registrar, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight that the volume of cases filed is expected to grow this year, driven by more cross-border litigation and disputes related to the Iran conflict.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, is expected to lose his role as President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for international investment within the year, as Russian prosecutors and the FSB prepare an audit of the sovereign wealth fund amid signs that Dmitriev’s influence in Moscow is fading, Intelligence Online reports.

🏰 Emirati Magic: Disney is working to give its planned Abu Dhabi theme park a distinctly Emirati identity, with its Imagineers studying the UAE’s heritage, architecture and culture as they develop the Yas Island resort. Footage shown at Disney’s annual D23 convention in California featured the design team visiting Al Ain Oasis and Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi’s oldest surviving building, The National reports. Disney hasn’t revealed what will make it into the park, but former CEO Bob Iger has said the resort will be “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.”

📷 Photo of the Day

August 18-19, Dubai. Middle East Event Show. Bringing together professionals from the events industry. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

August 28-Sept. 6, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. An annual event celebrating traditional Emirati heritage and culture. ADNEC Centre.

August 30-Sept. 2, Riyadh. Big 5 Construct. The event connects construction industry stakeholders with suppliers in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

August 31-Sept. 3, Riyadh. LEAP Expo Riyadh. A major tech trade show for the Middle East, which includes a global startup live pitch event. RECC Malham.

Sept. 1-3, Dubai. Middle East Energy.  A three-day energy exhibition in Dubai brings together utilities, developers, manufacturers and industry professionals. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 1-3, Doha. Qatar Event Show. Brings together the events industry through a three-day program featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops and networking opportunities. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Sept. 7-9, Dubai. AIM Congress. The global investment platform’s annual meeting brings together investors, governments, businesses and policymakers. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles. ADNEC Centre.  

Sept. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC Centre.

Sept. 14-18, Dubai. Arabian Travel Market. The flagship global travel trade show, which was postponed in May, returns, bringing 55,000+ travel professionals, 2,800+ exhibitors and representatives from 166 countries. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Forum. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 17-19, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show 2026. An event targeting investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. ADNEC Centre.

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg: UNGA Special Edition 2026. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 UNGA in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abu Dhabi. LIVEX 2026. Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21-24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center.