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Ras Al-Khaimah’s Ruler Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr travelled to Xiamen, Fujian province on 6 September to deliver a speech to a trade fair and meet officials and business executives, ahead of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UAE and China.

The issue leads with Iran, where President Masoud Pezeshkian and foreign affairs minister Abbas Araghchi have been holding talks with their international counterparts, in early efforts to try and reset Iran’s relations with regional and global powers. However, tensions with Israel could yet lead to further regional instability and undermine hopes of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, while domestic issues also hold the potential to create further difficulties for the new administration. Defence and security coverage leads with Saudi Arabia, where King Salman has issued a series of royal orders to replace several of the most senior military figures in the country. Finance and business coverage takes a closer a look at the UAE's anti-money laundering strategy. The UAE succeeded in being removed from money laundering watchdog FATF’s ‘grey list’ in February, but some doubts remain over its commitment to clamping down on money laundering and terrorist financing. Recent actions against gold refineries, bankers and others suggest a renewed effort by the UAE authorities to address the ongoing challenges to its reputation as a commercial hub. GSN also looks at Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF's shift in focus as overseas investments fade in importance. PIF's international assets have fallen from 29% of its overall portfolio in 2021 to around 20% in 2023, with a commensurate rise in investments in the Saudi economy. The Risk Management Report is on Yemen. The GSN View focuses on Doha's defence deal with Turkey. Qatar has set up a joint squadron with the Turkish Air Force, with at least six Turkish F-16 jets sent to the Gulf in late July. This cements an already close relationship with Ankara, which was vital in 2017 when Doha faced a stand-off with three neighbours. The latest developments have prompted speculation that Doha may now be trying to bolster its defences in case Donald Trump wins the US presidential election in November.

Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on 4 September led the funeral prayers for his aunt, Princess Latifa Bint Abdelaziz, who had died a day earlier.

The Daleel Petroleum partnership of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and an arm of the local MB Group has signed an oil and gas exploration and production concession for the block, adding to a portfolio which already includes Block 5.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company will acquire a 35% stake in ExxonMobil’s planned low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia facility, which would be one of the largest of its kind in the world.

King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa pardoned 457 inmates by royal decree on 4 September, to mark his silver jubilee on the throne.

In a series of royal orders issued on 29 August, the Saudi monarch replaced the Joint Forces commander and the chiefs of staff of the navy and land forces.

A year after the risk of a catastrophic accident at the abandoned oil storage vessel FSO Safer was finally resolved – after long periods during which Houthi rebels repeatedly blocked an international rescue mission – the Sanaa-based group’s actions are once again creating the risk of an environmental disaster is the waters around Yemen.  

The state-owned defence conglomerate is due to complete the development of the National Anti-Ship Missile (Mansup) by the end of 2025 and is also working on an extended-range version.

President Masoud Pezeshkian and foreign affairs minister Abbas Araghchi have been holding talks with their international counterparts, in early efforts to try and reset Iran’s relations with regional and global powers, with former foreign minister Zarif helping from the sidelines. However, tensions with Israel could yet lead to further regional instability and undermine hopes of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, while domestic issues also hold the potential to create further difficulties for the new administration.

The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority has signed a deal with Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power to develop the emirate’s first independent water project at Al-Hamriyah. 

Saudi Arabian Military Industries chief executive Walid Abukhaled resigned from his position in late August, after four years at the helm. The development was announced on the same day that King Salman ordered a significant reshuffle of senior military officers.

The UAE succeeded in being removed from money laundering watchdog FATF’s ‘grey list’ in February, but some doubts remain over its commitment to clamping down on money laundering and terrorist financing. Recent actions against gold refineries, bankers and others suggest a renewed effort by the UAE authorities to address the ongoing challenges to its reputation as a commercial hub.

Two former managers of PetroSaudi International – set up by Prince Turki Bin Abdullah in the early 2000s – were convicted of fraud and money laundering for their part in a $1.8bn scheme to extract funds from sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Since the latest civil war began in 2014, control of Yemen has been divided among several different groups.  The Houthis – also known as Ansar Allah – seized the capital Sanaa in 2014 and remain in control. They run much of the northwest corner of the country, including the port of Hodeidah. Abdulmalik Al-Houthi is the group’s leader, supported by figures such as interior minister Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi and Supreme Political Council leader Mahdi Al-Mashat.