How Saudi Arabia’s bet on Iran backfired

18 March 2026 · 10m

FT News Briefing

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Show notes

The EU wants to make mergers a bit easier, Wall Street banks are offloading $18bn of debt tied to video game maker Electronic Arts, and investors are piling into cash at the fastest rate since the Covid-19 pandemic. Plus, the FT’s Ahmed Al Omran explains why Saudi Arabia’s recent truce with Iran has not paid off.

Mentioned in this podcast:

EU weighs curbs on national powers to block mergers

Banks prepare to offload $18bn in debt tied to EA take-private deal

Investors pile into cash at fastest pace since pandemic on Iran fears

How MBS’s bet on Iran backfired

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Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Saffeya Ahmed and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Michael Lello, and David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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