Columnist

Author

Talat Zaki Hafiz

Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. Twitter: @TalatHafiz

Latest published

PIF’s strategy is powering Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation

Since its landmark restructuring in 2015, the Public Investment Fund  has emerged as a central engine of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation. 

April 26, 2026

Saudi Arabia reasserts its role as global energy anchor

Amid regional tensions and their direct impact on critical energy infrastructure, recent attacks disrupted several key components of Saudi Arabia’s energy system. 

April 19, 2026

Saudi banking sector shows structural strength

Set against an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape and a tenuous ceasefire across parts of the Middle East, the resilience of Saudi Arabia’s financial architecture, most notably its banking sector,has come into sharper analytical focus. 

April 12, 2026

Evolving defense priorities in the Gulf region

Amid intensifying military confrontation in the Middle East, the Gulf Cooperation Council finds itself at a critical strategic juncture, increasingly exposed to evolving threats.

April 09, 2026

Safeguarding global energy amid turmoil

As tensions in the Middle East intensify, their effects are no longer confined to the region. They are increasingly reverberating across global energy markets, disrupting supply chains for critical goods, and adding to inflationary pressures worldwide.

April 05, 2026

Saudi Arabia safeguarding global energy stability

In times of uncertainty, nations are ultimately defined not only by their resilience, but by their capacity to lead with clarity, coordination, and strategic foresight. 

March 29, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s credit strength weathers regional risks

Amid persistent geopolitical tensions across the Middle East, Saudi Arabia continues to command strong confidence from regional partners and global financial markets. 

March 22, 2026

The economics of strategic restraint

The Middle East has once again entered a period of heightened geopolitical tension, as escalating military and political confrontations threaten to reshape the region’s security architecture and economic outlook. 

March 15, 2026

Strong fundamentals powering Saudi banking sector growth

Amid structural shifts in the global financial landscape, shaped by technological disruption in advanced economies and persistent geopolitical tensions, the Saudi banking sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience. 

March 08, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s calculated bet on long-term growth

Saudi Arabia’s fiscal and economic results for 2025 underscore a deliberate strategy: accepting short-term deficits in service of long-term resilience.

March 01, 2026