International Monetary Fund
4 stories from Middle East Affairs.
AI spending boom cushions global economy against multiple shocks
A surge in spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure is helping the global economy absorb shocks from trade conflicts, energy disruptions, and rising borrowing costs, according to analysis from the Wall Street Journal and economists.
Global bond yields spike to multiyear highs on debt concerns
Major government bond yields have surged to their highest levels in years, driven by rising inflation, swelling budget deficits, and increasing borrowing needs among developed economies.
Fitch affirms Qatar's AA rating, expects LNG exports to recover by mid-2025
Fitch Ratings affirmed Qatar's AA credit rating and removed the country from its negative watch list, projecting liquefied natural gas exports will recover to pre-war levels by the second half of 2025.
Iraq spent $34B on wages and welfare in first half of 2026, exceeding revenue
Iraq spent $34.1 billion on public-sector salaries and social welfare in the first half of 2026, accounting for 82 percent of federal spending and exceeding total revenue.
