Morning Drive

Tim Elliott analyses the latest property headlines with Allegiance Real Estate’s Senior VP Mario Volpi. They examine the surge in local listings as residents increasingly prioritise flexibility and competitive pricing. The discussion also covers developer delays and the evolving landscape for institutional investors.

Film director and producer Ammar Galal joins Tim Elliott to discuss the impact of regional instability on the UAE's creative industry. From cancelled projects to the struggle of freelance communities, they explore how shifting client priorities and economic pressure are reshaping the future of storytelling in the region.

The UAE is under a relentless digital siege, with new figures revealing up to 700,000 cyberattacks every single day. Cybersecurity expert Stephen Marriott joins Tim Elliott to analyse the surge in AI-powered deepfakes and state-sponsored threats targeting critical regional sectors. They discuss how businesses are adapting their security playbooks to survive this evolving landscape of automated hacking and alert fatigue.

While some are stepping away, the Dubai property market is actually entering a more mature and professional era. Ajay Menon, CEO of Luxe Vista Properties, joins Tim Elliott to discuss the "Broker Exodus"—a shift that is clearing the way for high-quality, ethical experts to shine. They explore how this transition is stabilizing the market, protecting investors, and creating a more reliable landscape for those looking to call Dubai home.

As regional tensions and environmental shifts intensify, the GCC’s reliance on desalination faces its ultimate test. Tim Elliott explores the invisible architecture of water security with Professor Rabee Rustum, Professor of Water and Environmental Engineering, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, uncovering how advanced engineering and strategic reservoirs safeguard the desert’s most precious resource against modern geopolitical and climate-driven disruptions.

With geopolitical tensions tightening around the Strait of Hormuz, the security of power grids and water supplies has become a priority for the Middle East.

In this episode, Tim Elliott and MEED Editor for Power and Water Mark Dowdall analyse the high-stakes race to fortify the GCC’s infrastructure. From the "high-octane" shift toward renewables and desalination to the massive investments fueling Saudi Vision 2030, we explore how the region is navigating a landscape where energy security and geopolitical stability are now inseparable.

Dr Jelena Janjusevic (Associate Professor & Deputy Global Head of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, Dubai) joins Tim Elliott to explore why current pauses in the UAE’s vibrant events scene are merely a prelude to a powerful rebound.

Global food security hangs by a thread as the Strait of Hormuz becomes a critical flashpoint. Frida Youssef, Chief of the Transport Section - UN Trade and Development, joins Tim Elliott to unpack how disrupted trade routes and soaring fertiliser costs threaten harvest yields worldwide.

As the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, global energy markets are on a knife-edge. With oil trading well over $100 a barrel, Qamar Energy CEO Robin Mills joins Tim Elliott to analyse the escalating recession risk. They discuss the tightening supply crunch and the urgent emergency measures countries are now forced to adopt.

As geopolitical tensions rise, the Middle East’s construction industry has shifted from a "build fast" mindset to one of cautious protection. Tim Elliott interviews Gilbert Boustany (VP, 3D Consultants — part of the Chalhoub Group) on how developers and contractors are adapting to supply chain chaos and revising budgets to ensure project delivery in an increasingly volatile environment.