UAE President Meets Saudi Defence Minister Amid Regional Tensions; Flydubai Pilot Recounts Daring Mid-Air Attack; Macron Begins Gulf Tour

In this episode of Trending Middle East, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed convened with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to address pressing regional security and stability concerns, particularly in light of ongoing Houthi attacks targeting the Kingdom. In a dramatic exclusive with The National, flydubai captain Smit Machchhar detailed how he heroically thwarted an axe attack in the cockpit by his co-pilot, which led to a steep dive. The aircraft, carrying 172 individuals, was ultimately secured thanks to the intervention of passengers and crew. Meanwhile, Egypt's National Defence Council has pledged its full support to Saudi Arabia, as President Abdel Fattah El Sisi contemplates a potential defensive military mission, though a parliamentary vote on authorizing assistance has been postponed. French President Emmanuel Macron has commenced a four-nation visit to the Gulf, including the UAE, with discussions slated to cover the Strait of Hormuz, energy security, and regional stability. Separately, Dubai's economy experienced a contraction of 2.3 per cent in the first half of 2026, attributed to disruptions in travel and trade caused by the Iran war. Despite downturns in transport, retail, and other sectors, financial services and healthcare demonstrated growth.

Trending Middle East is an AI-assisted production, leveraging original reporting from The National, curated and edited by human professionals.