Joy and Sorrow, Four Days Apart: A Love Letter to Saudi Resilience
Saudi Arabia won the Gulf Cup, then Riyadh's airport was attacked. Business carried on. What Saudi resilience teaches Western firms in the Kingdom.
Qatar’s 2036 Olympic Bid and Why Doha Plays a Different Game From Riyadh
Qatar is one of 7 countries interested in the 2036 Olympics as Saudi Arabia scales back sport spending. What the split means for Western suppliers in the Gulf.
Negotiating in the Gulf: What Centuries of Trade Taught the Region About a Good Deal
The Gulf traded across oceans for centuries before oil. Why negotiating in the Gulf is how trust is built, and why opening with your final price can cost you.
Saudi National Day: What Joyful National Pride Tells Western Business
Saudi National Day on 23 September is joyful, public national pride. What Western executives miss about it, from inside the Saudi Embassy celebration in London.
How to Read the Room in a Gulf Business Meeting
A Crown Prince turned back at Delhi airport to thank his driver. What that moment shows about reading a room — and what your own behaviour says in it.
While Western Firms Debate Saudi’s Giga-Projects, the Contracts Keep Moving
Saudi Arabia is reprioritising its giga-projects, not abandoning them. A $221m Qiddiya contract shows firms where commitment is still moving.
Saudi Arabia Is Becoming More Saudi. Gulf Experience Is No Longer Enough.
Saudi Arabia is becoming more Saudi. What that changes for doing business in Saudi Arabia in 2026 — the rules, the people in the room, and the rising bar.
The Gulf Customer Audit: 5 Questions Every Luxury Commercial Director Should Be Able to Answer
Your Middle East line hides six markets and a £774 gap. Five audit questions that show if you know your high-value Gulf customers, or just what they spend.
Emirati Women’s Day 2026: What the West Still Gets Wrong
Emirati Women's Day 2026 runs for a month from 28 August. What it signals about women in business in the UAE — and why most Western firms miss it entirely.
Why the Region’s Most Powerful People Still Answer Show Up On Social Media
Saudi, UAE and Qatari leaders communicate directly to millions, in real time. Why executive visibility in the Gulf decides trust before your first meeting happens.