Saudi and UAE: The Cold Gulf War

Feb 11, 2026

They break down a sharp WYNDEX plunge and why Israeli SaaS names were hit hardest. AI’s credibility test for software and a surprising biotech bright spot get attention. A deep dive traces the growing Saudi–UAE rivalry, Abu Dhabi’s quiet power plays in capital, energy and infrastructure, and what that shift means for regional economics and Israel’s strategic options.

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INSIGHT

SaaS-Mageddon Hits Israeli Tech

The WYNDEX plunged 5.41% in one week, driven by a SaaS-focused selloff dubbed the "SaaS-mageddon."
Israeli tech's concentration in SaaS makes it more vulnerable to AI-driven market credibility resets.

INSIGHT

Earnings Are Now Credibility Tests

Earnings season has become a credibility test for SaaS firms claiming AI moats.
Companies must demonstrate clear, fast paths to AI differentiation or face market skepticism.

ADVICE

Pivot When Margins Compress

Follow Tesla's playbook: stop fighting commoditization and pivot to the next S-curve when margins compress.
Shift resources to higher-value future bets like robotics and AI instead of defending legacy products.

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📈 Our WYNDEX (What’s Your Number Index) update for today:

The WYNDEX had its worst week since launch, falling 5.41% and underperforming both the S&P and the NASDAQ. Yonatan and Yael break down why Israeli SaaS names were hit hardest, how AI is accelerating a credibility reset across software markets, and why biotech emerged as a rare bright spot amid the selloff.

🔎 Our Long Play today Yael and Yonatan examine the growing rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE and how it may define the economic future of the Middle East. As MBS’s Vision 2030 fails to meet its KPIs, Abu Dhabi has been quietly building power through capital, energy infrastructure, and global partnerships. From India and Central Asia to gas pipelines and ports, Yael and Yonatan follow the money to explain what this strategic shift means for Israel’s economic future, regional influence, and the limits of headline diplomacy.

Also, a bit of housekeeping: On a bittersweet note, Michal Lev-Ram, who launched WYN with Yonatan, has accepted a role at Morgan Stanley and will step down as co-host. Michal joins Yonatan today to pass the torch to Yael, who'll take over as our official co-host.

In this episode:

00:00 - Numbers of the Week
05:53 - The WYNDEX
11:16 - Big Short #1: Netafim and Chinese capital
14:47 - Big Short #2: Israel’s airspace crunch and El Al’s fine
19:10 - Long Play: Saudi Arabia vs. the UAE and the real power map of the region
33:23 - Words of the Week

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This podcast offers general business and economic information and is not a comprehensive summary for investment decisions. It does not recommend or solicit any investment strategy or security.

CREDITS:

Hosts - YONATAN ADIRI & YAEL WISSNER-LEVY

Executive Producer - ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY

Production Manager - BRITTANY COHEN

Community Manager - AVA WEINER

Sound and Video editing - MARTIN HUERGO AND PATRICIO SPADAVECCHIA

Music - MIDNIGHT GENERATION