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Former CIA official found with $40 million in gold bars for 'work-related expenses' reaches tentative plea deal 

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Trump’s tariffs slashed jobs and wage growth. Now companies are funneling $100 billion in refunds to supplement workers’ retirement

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Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, says he’s living in an Airstream trailer to oversee xAI’s biggest expansion yet

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Former CIA official found with $40 million in gold bars for 'work-related expenses' reaches tentative plea deal 

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Trump’s tariffs slashed jobs and wage growth. Now companies are funneling $100 billion in refunds to supplement workers’ retirement

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Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, says he’s living in an Airstream trailer to oversee xAI’s biggest expansion yet
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Middle East

Fortune Gulf Brief is Fortune's weekly Tuesday newsletter covering business, investment, and economic trends across the Middle East, written by Fortune writer Melissa Hancock. It delivers expert analysis on the deals, leaders, and policies shaping the GCC region for global executives. Sign up here.
The Gulf’s female startup ecosystem is flourishing. So, where’s the funding?  
The Gulf’s female startup ecosystem is flourishing. So, where’s the funding?  

In this week’s Fortune Gulf Brief.

By Melissa HancockSeptember 16, 2026
The Middle East’s female founders are on the rise. Why isn’t the funding following?
The Middle East’s female founders are on the rise. Why isn’t the funding following?
By Melissa HancockSeptember 16, 2026
Oil prices dive on signs of Hormuz diplomacy while Saudi Arabia is left hanging in fight against an Iranian ally threatening crude’s other chokepoint
Oil prices dive on signs of Hormuz diplomacy while Saudi Arabia is left hanging in fight against an Iranian ally threatening crude’s other chokepoint
By Jason MaSeptember 11, 2026
Saudi’s Humain turns to outside investment as the kingdom reins in fiscal spending 
Saudi’s Humain turns to outside investment as the kingdom reins in fiscal spending 
By Melissa HancockSeptember 9, 2026
Saudi’s Humain is planning an IPO and a $2.5 billion fund to fuel its expansion plans  
Saudi’s Humain is planning an IPO and a $2.5 billion fund to fuel its expansion plans  
By Melissa HancockSeptember 9, 2026
Even Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is worried about Iran’s economy and ‘social cohesion’ as U.S. pressure gets tougher to withstand
Even Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is worried about Iran’s economy and ‘social cohesion’ as U.S. pressure gets tougher to withstand
By Jason MaSeptember 6, 2026
Latest stories from Fortune
More Middle East
After hitting oil tankers, Iran targets Navy warships and U.S. retaliates with ‘higher economic cost’ in new escalation that could transform the war
Middle East
After hitting oil tankers, Iran targets Navy warships and U.S. retaliates with ‘higher economic cost’ in new escalation that could transform the war
By Jason MaSeptember 5, 2026
Saudi fires up Gulf AI race with $15 billion tech deals at LEAP 
Newsletters
Saudi fires up Gulf AI race with $15 billion tech deals at LEAP 
By Melissa HancockSeptember 2, 2026
War knocked Dubai’s airport traffic down 31%. Its CEO says its global hub ambitions haven’t changed
Middle East
War knocked Dubai’s airport traffic down 31%. Its CEO says its global hub ambitions haven’t changed
By Inzamam RashidSeptember 1, 2026
Iran’s president admits ‘we have many problems’ and missiles ‘are of no use’ as the U.S. chokes its economy while weakening Tehran’s grip on Hormuz
Middle East
Iran’s president admits ‘we have many problems’ and missiles ‘are of no use’ as the U.S. chokes its economy while weakening Tehran’s grip on Hormuz
By Jason MaAugust 30, 2026
New U.S. sanctions will hit ordinary Iranians hard. That may be the whole point as the crashing economy stirs fresh protests
Middle East
New U.S. sanctions will hit ordinary Iranians hard. That may be the whole point as the crashing economy stirs fresh protests
By Jason MaAugust 29, 2026
Why Dubai has become a city of retail traders
Newsletters
Why Dubai has become a city of retail traders
By Inzamam RashidAugust 26, 2026
Trump’s pronouncements are triggering instant trades in the Middle East as UAE investors place bigger bets
Middle East
Trump’s pronouncements are triggering instant trades in the Middle East as UAE investors place bigger bets
By Inzamam RashidAugust 25, 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent becomes the tip of the spear in the war on Iran and the bond vigilantes as the U.S. readies more financial firepower
Middle East
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent becomes the tip of the spear in the war on Iran and the bond vigilantes as the U.S. readies more financial firepower
By Jason MaAugust 24, 2026
The Iran war could last ‘deep into 2027’ as the Strait of Hormuz isn’t that closed, allowing more oil to leak out—but major escalation is likely soon
Middle East
The Iran war could last ‘deep into 2027’ as the Strait of Hormuz isn’t that closed, allowing more oil to leak out—but major escalation is likely soon
By Jason MaAugust 23, 2026
‘We will not endure’ — Top Iranian leaders signal they are running out of time as economy crumbles ahead of Trump’s next sanctions onslaught
Middle East
‘We will not endure’ — Top Iranian leaders signal they are running out of time as economy crumbles ahead of Trump’s next sanctions onslaught
By Jason MaAugust 22, 2026
Afghanistan’s grape harvest is turning into raisins — literally — as exports collapse
Politics
Afghanistan’s grape harvest is turning into raisins — literally — as exports collapse
By ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN and The Associated PressAugust 19, 2026
How the UAE has emerged as a ‘leading light’ for tokenization  
Middle East
How the UAE has emerged as a ‘leading light’ for tokenization  
By Melissa HancockAugust 19, 2026
Coinbase establishes Abu Dhabi tokenization hub  
Newsletters
Coinbase establishes Abu Dhabi tokenization hub  
By Melissa HancockAugust 19, 2026
Trump pivoted from bombs to an economic war against Iran. But Tehran is now ‘fully offensive’ and doesn’t think the real fighting has even started yet
Middle East
Trump pivoted from bombs to an economic war against Iran. But Tehran is now ‘fully offensive’ and doesn’t think the real fighting has even started yet
By Jason MaAugust 17, 2026
Iran’s oil is trapped while rivals’ exports from the Persian Gulf are poised to surge, but Tehran could do whatever it takes to break the choke hold
Middle East
Iran’s oil is trapped while rivals’ exports from the Persian Gulf are poised to surge, but Tehran could do whatever it takes to break the choke hold
By Jason MaAugust 16, 2026
Iran business leader admits U.S. blockade will inflict more economic damage than war, and the ‘worst thing that could happen’ is trying to evade it
Middle East
Iran business leader admits U.S. blockade will inflict more economic damage than war, and the ‘worst thing that could happen’ is trying to evade it
By Jason MaAugust 15, 2026
The Gulf’s AI boom is driving the race to control the data highways
Middle East
The Gulf’s AI boom is driving the race to control the data highways
By Melissa HancockAugust 12, 2026
The Gulf wants to break free from the world’s data chokepoints
Newsletters
The Gulf wants to break free from the world’s data chokepoints
By Melissa HancockAugust 12, 2026
Trump is betting that the U.S. naval blockade choking Iran’s economy can achieve what bombs and missiles couldn’t as more oil sneaks out of the Gulf
Middle East
Trump is betting that the U.S. naval blockade choking Iran’s economy can achieve what bombs and missiles couldn’t as more oil sneaks out of the Gulf
By Jason MaAugust 9, 2026
Iranian officials are worried the U.S. blockade will cause an economic collapse and admit sanctions relief is desperately needed
Middle East
Iranian officials are worried the U.S. blockade will cause an economic collapse and admit sanctions relief is desperately needed
By Jason MaAugust 8, 2026
The emerging deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz reportedly recognizes Iran’s control—and the U.S. may have to accept it
Middle East
The emerging deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz reportedly recognizes Iran’s control—and the U.S. may have to accept it
By Jason MaAugust 7, 2026
Qatar’s Ooredoo, Nvidia, and Nokia unveil multi-billion-dollar AI compute platform—and Southeast Asia is their target
Middle East
Qatar’s Ooredoo, Nvidia, and Nokia unveil multi-billion-dollar AI compute platform—and Southeast Asia is their target
By Melissa HancockAugust 6, 2026
Could a UN-backed plan to reopen Hormuz break the deadlock? 
Newsletters
Could a UN-backed plan to reopen Hormuz break the deadlock? 
By Melissa HancockAugust 4, 2026
As Trump balks again at escalating war, Iran smells ‘blood in the water’ and looks to exploit its newfound strategic advantage, experts say
Middle East
As Trump balks again at escalating war, Iran smells ‘blood in the water’ and looks to exploit its newfound strategic advantage, experts say
By Jason MaAugust 2, 2026
Welcome to the mega-war: Mideast and European conflicts merge, sucking in more countries along the way—even ones claiming neutrality
Middle East
Welcome to the mega-war: Mideast and European conflicts merge, sucking in more countries along the way—even ones claiming neutrality
By Jason MaAugust 1, 2026
Jeff Zucker is banking on the UAE to help build his new $8 billion entertainment empire
Middle East
Jeff Zucker is banking on the UAE to help build his new $8 billion entertainment empire
By Melissa HancockJuly 28, 2026
‘The UAE has been a fantastic investor’: Jeff Zucker hails UAE partnership after Banijay merger
Newsletters
‘The UAE has been a fantastic investor’: Jeff Zucker hails UAE partnership after Banijay merger
By Melissa HancockJuly 28, 2026
Record heat gives way to global winter gas shortage fears as Iran war rages on
Energy
Record heat gives way to global winter gas shortage fears as Iran war rages on
By Jordan BlumJuly 28, 2026
Mideast oil may soon have no way out amid ‘everything everywhere all at once’ wars, but the crisis in refined products is even worse
Middle East
Mideast oil may soon have no way out amid ‘everything everywhere all at once’ wars, but the crisis in refined products is even worse
By Jason MaJuly 26, 2026
Ukraine’s attack on an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea could signal a new battlefront as U.S. seeks to form ‘a ring of economic and military pressure’
Middle East
Ukraine’s attack on an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea could signal a new battlefront as U.S. seeks to form ‘a ring of economic and military pressure’
By Jason MaJuly 26, 2026
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Most Popular
Law
Former CIA official found with $40 million in gold bars for 'work-related expenses' reaches tentative plea deal placeholder alt text
By The Associated PressSeptember 12, 2026
Economy
Trump’s tariffs slashed jobs and wage growth. Now companies are funneling $100 billion in refunds to supplement workers’ retirementplaceholder alt text
By Sasha RogelbergSeptember 15, 2026
Big Tech
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, says he’s living in an Airstream trailer to oversee xAI’s biggest expansion yetplaceholder alt text
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezSeptember 15, 2026
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