Salman

US PR firm Edelman's contract with Masdar reconnects it with UAE 

The PR firm Edelman, which handles many PR contracts with Saudi Arabia, has been appointed to work for the UAE's renewables company Masdar during COP28. This deal strengthens its relationship with Abu Dhabi.

Nabil Barakat, ex-Thales agent in Gulf, courts Saudi conglomerate Ajlan & Bros 

Saudi Arabian conglomerate Ajlan & Bros's new subsidiary Scopa Industries is keen to carve a place for itself in the local defence market with the help of foreign partners who have already made their mark.

MbS banks on Washington's support to boost impact of international tourism platform  Free

Saudi firm Kafa'at, a subsidiary of Takahom, is trying to secure US backing to help develop an international tourism alliance set up by Mohammed bin Salman. These efforts highlight the company's many missions, which are central to the crown prince's Vision 2030 reform plans.

New ISR-oriented consulting firm Pinnacle Atlas launches in Middle East 

ISR technology firm Seven Technologies' insolvency last month has been swiftly followed by the creation of other firms, including Pinnacle Atlas, which is well-connected in Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh challenges Abu Dhabi for regional cyber hub role 

Saudi Arabia's efforts to develop its cyber capacities are starting to bear fruit, just as domestic business opportunities are starting to dry up for its neighbour and rival, the United Arab Emirates. The kingdom, which is determined to play a regional role, is using soft and hard power to boost its efforts to attract the latest technology.

Jean-Christophe Durand, the royal family and sovereign fund's French adviser 

As the Bahraini Crown Prince conducts his overhaul of the sovereign fund Mumtalakat, he is bidding farewell to key figures of the Bahraini economy after their years of loyal service. They include Frenchman Jean-Christophe Durand, long-time financial adviser to the Al Khalifa family and former director at BNP Paribas.

Abu Dhabi imposes its control of Red Sea on Aden 

Keen to gradually take control of strategic positions on the Red Sea, Abu Dhabi is speeding up its agenda in Yemen and is unhesitant about acting alone without consulting Riyadh.

• SYRIA/SAUDI ARABIA - Hossam Louka pops up in Riyadh.

• UNITED STATES/MOLDOVA - Chisinau biggest receiver of US fund to counter Russian influence.
  

• FRANCE/IRAN - Former pro-Iranian Centre Zahra France official fails to block asset freeze.

Naval Group's fight for Saudi Arabian combat ship deal sunk by Spain's Navantia 

Faced with the contract won by the Spanish Navantia to equip the Royal Saudi Navy, the French Naval Group has conceded defeat. Intelligence Online takes a look into the background of a competition that did not go well from the start.

National Iranian Oil Company's attempt to shrink $2.4bn Crescent Petroleum fine 

In its dispute with Crescent Petroleum, the National Iranian Oil Company presented a new line of defence before the British court handling the case. It was hoping to have the fee it owes the UAE junior oil company cut by half.

Bug bounty operators make beeline for Riyadh 

Bug bounty companies were recently in Riyadh to connect with potential local partners, essential if they want to get involved in the national programmes that are on the rise in the Gulf.

First economic diversification, now defence, MbS's trust in Nejd families grows 

Determined as ever to seal his future position as king, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been dishing out sovereign duties to families from the central region, the Nejd, and the east coast. In doing so, he is straying from the Sauds' long-standing ties with the great families of the historic west coast, the Hejaz.

MbS's reform of Saudi space sector homes in on Saudi Space Commission 

Tightening his grip on Saudi Arabia's space sector, Mohammed bin Salman ordered the restructuring of the Saudi Space Commission (SSC) into an agency at the expense of strategic prerogatives.