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Melissa Hancock

Melissa Hancock

Fortune

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Jeff Zucker is banking on the UAE to help build his new $8 billion entertainment empire

The $8bn Banijay-All3Media merger has created a global media and entertainment powerhouse—and Jeff Zucker believes the Gulf has a starring role to...

yesterday 0

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

‘The UAE has been a fantastic investor’: Jeff Zucker hails UAE partnership after Banijay merger

In this week’s Fortune Gulf Brief.

yesterday 3

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

Shipping transits slow to a trickle as Strait of Hormuz faces “worst-case scenario”

From shipping lane to battleground: Hormuz crisis forces industry rethink.

21.07.2026 3

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

Money talks—as the Iran war continues, options for the Strait of Hormuz are coalescing around one solution – tolls

With missiles replacing merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, activity in the world's most critical energy corridor is grinding to a halt—and a...

21.07.2026 4

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

Amid the Gulf’s increasingly competitive investment landscape, Bahrain is carving out a distinct investment strategy

As Gulf states compete through scale and headline-grabbing mega-projects, Bahrain EDB’s CEO H.E. Noor is pursuing a different path—leveraging...

14.07.2026 10

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

Bahrain EDB’s CEO H.E. Noor is doubling down on growth amid mounting regional headwinds

As Gulf states compete through scale and headline-grabbing mega-projects, Bahrain is pursuing a different path—leveraging regulatory innovation,...

14.07.2026 3

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

Bahrain EDB bids to win investors despite mounting headwinds

As the race for Gulf capital intensifies, Bahrain is competing on its own terms

14.07.2026 4

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

OPEC+ to pump more oil as market fears shift from shortage to glut

OPEC is opening the taps again, extending its production increases as Gulf oil flows recover and prices cool. But with supply rising faster than...

07.07.2026 9

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

From missiles to malware: Why the Gulf is stepping up its operational resilience

As cyberattacks intensify and AI reshapes the digital battlefield, Gulf states are racing to strengthen the defenses protecting their most critical...

07.07.2026 20

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

Gulf bond markets extend their rally despite uncertain outlook

GCC debt markets have rallied since the ceasefire, but tight liquidity remains a key hurdle

30.06.2026 10

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

GCC debt markets have rallied since the ceasefire, but tight liquidity remains a key hurdle

The easing of geopolitical tensions has fueled a surge in GCC bond and sukuk issuance. But with the Federal Reserve expected to keep rates on hold,...

30.06.2026 9

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

Saudi Aramco’s chairman calls for “energy realism”

As the world grapples with the greatest oil shock in history, Saudi Aramco's Chairman calls for "energy realism"

23.06.2026 10

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund wants the kingdom to become a global investment center

After deploying billions in capital around the world, Saudi now wants to attract global investment to the kingdom

23.06.2026 7

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

Gulf private credit opportunities shine amid global volatility

The Gulf is no longer just a source of capital for private credit. Increasingly, it is becoming one of the industry's most important markets.

16.06.2026 10

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

U.S.-Iran interim deal: What could a Gulf bounce back look like?

The U.S.–Iran peace deal has sparked relief across global markets, but investors are still waiting to see whether the breakthrough can translate...

16.06.2026 9

Fortune

Melissa Hancock

Saudi economy redraws ambitions—‘going local’ is the new buzz phrase

After a decade of dizzying investments, Saudi Arabia is now focused on domestic priorities.

10.06.2026 10

Fortune

Melissa hancock

The Gulf states are betting big on AI: who’s investing where?

Gulf states are now frontrunners in the AI race but competition will only intensify.

09.06.2026 10

Fortune

Melissa hancock

The Big Story: SpaceX IPO means more to the Gulf than you might expect

The windfalls Gulf sovereign wealth funds are poised to receive will offer a nicely timed boost to their balance sheets.

09.06.2026 10

Fortune

Melissa hancock

The U.S. and Europe feared the Iran conflict would curtail the Gulf’s appetite for global investments. The opposite is true

The five biggest spenders–split across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar–collectively spent almost $26 billion during March, April and May.

02.06.2026 10

Fortune

Melissa hancock

Property prices are down in Dubai. Is it a war-induced blip, or something more serious?

Dubai’s real estate market has often defied expectations.

01.06.2026 20

Fortune

Melissa hancock

The Iran conflict has disrupted oil supply. Gulf states are now looking to multi-billion-dollar investments in renewables

The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has triggered the largest oil supply disruption in history, accelerating Gulf diversification efforts and promoting...

01.06.2026 10

Fortune

Melissa hancock