Gulf Nashra Weekly Digest
Gaza Cease-Fire, Syria Talks in Saudi Arabia, and Former Kuwaiti Defense Minister's Imprisonment.
Media Coverage
“Qatar announces Israel and Hamas agreement on Gaza truce, captive exchange” Al Jazeera, 01/15/2025.
“Mediator Qatar says that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to halt the 15-month war in Gaza and exchange Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.”
“Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced the agreement in Doha on Wednesday. He said the ceasefire would take effect on Sunday, January 19.”
Go Deeper: “Israel-Hamas ceasefire: Why Qatar is such a good negotiator” DW, 01/17/2025.
“Riyadh hosts Arab, international diplomats for talks on support for Syria” AlArabiya News, 01/12/2025.
“An Arab-international meeting to discuss the situation for Syria and means of offering support to the country after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad was held in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday.”
“UAE, Egyptian Presidents discuss bilateral relations, regional developments” Emirates News Agency - WAM, 01/16/2025.
“President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks today with His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt to discuss ways to further strengthen the longstanding ties between the two nations.”
“Both leaders reaffirmed the need for continued efforts to implement the two-state solution, recognising it as the pathway to achieving lasting and comprehensive peace and stability in the region.”
“His Majesty declares Nov 20 as Oman’s National Day.” Muscat Daily, 01/11/2025.
“‘On this occasion, we honour our ancestors, and commemorate a glorious day in Oman’s history. We announce that November 20 will be a national day for the Sultanate of Oman,’ His Majesty said.”
“Former interior, defense minister jailed for 14 yrs” Arab Times Kuwait, 01/14/2025.
“The special court for ministers on Tuesday sentenced former interior and defense minister Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah to 14 years in jail after convicting him of misappropriation of public funds. The court convicted the former minister of embezzling KD 9.5 million from the ministry of defense and KD 500,000 from the interior ministry. The court asked the former minister to return KD 10 million to the two ministries and fined him KD 20 million.”
Go Deeper: “The Supremacy of Executive Power in Kuwait” Arab Center in Washington DC, 06/04/2024.
“Carrefour announces closure of Oman branches amid BDS boycott calls” Middle East Eye, 01/10/2025
“French retail giant Carrefour announced the closure of its branches in Oman on Tuesday, in the latest hit the company has suffered due to widespread boycott campaigns.”
“Over 80 Countries Convene in Riyadh to Advance Mining and Resource Sustainability” Saudi Press Agency, 01/16/2025.
“With representation from 89 countries, the event serves as a crucial platform to foster international collaboration and develop the mining sector, aligning with goals for sustainability and global economic growth.”
“Kuwait considers introducing VAT” Gulf News, 01/12/2025.
“Kuwait is weighing the introduction of value-added tax (VAT) as as Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations continue to reform their tax frameworks to diversify revenue sources and align with global standards, local media reported.”
“Qatar Airways to sponsor rugby’s Nations Championship” Doha News, 01/10/2025.
“Qatar Airways has struck a deal to become the title sponsor of the Nations Championship, rugby’s new international competition due to start in 2026, according to an exclusive Guardian report.”
“The deal is reported to be around QAR 359 million, equivalent to $98.5 million, which will see it become the biggest title sponsorship in rugby’s history.”
Go Deeper: “The Rise of Gulf States’ Investments in Sports: Neither Soft Power nor Sportswashing?” Middle East Political Science.
Gulf Opinions
This week, the majority of Gulf commentators expressed optimism and welcomed the Qatari-Egyptian efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire agreement. For instance, Faleh bin Huaasain Al Hajri, writing for Qatar’s Al Arab, emphasized that Qatar’s commitment to humanitarian principles, combined with its diplomatic proficiency, has significantly bolstered the ceasefire process. He highlighted Qatar's multilateral connections with key parties, including Hamas, Israel, Egypt, and the United States, as instrumental in facilitating this outcome. Similarly, Tareq Boursly, in Kuwait’s Al Anba, argued that while the ceasefire does not provide a comprehensive solution, it is crucial from a humanitarian perspective to alleviate Gaza’s suffering. He noted that the agreement enables the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and facilitates the reconstruction of homes destroyed by the conflict. From a different perspective, Khamis bin Obaid Al Katitiy, writing for Oman’s Al Watan, characterized the agreement as a testament to the resilience of Gaza's people in resisting Israeli “aggression.” He described it as a historic victory for the people of Gaza. Finally, Khalid bin Hammad Al Malik, in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jazirah, contended that neither Hamas nor Israel emerged victorious in the recent conflict, though he acknowledged that Israel achieved minor political gains in Lebanon.
More Gulf Opinions:
On Gaza:
“Reaching an agreement to end the Gaza massacres,” Al Watan (Oman), Jodat Musry, 01/15/2025.
“About the Gaza Agreement,” Al Bayan (UAE), Imad Al-Din Adeeb, 01/16/2024.
“Will Gaza change the region's fortunes?” Asharq Al-Awsat (KSA), Abdulrahman Al-Rashed, 01/16/2025.
Other Topics:
“Arab Accreditation Certificate,” Al Watan (Bahrain), Sawsan Al Shaer, 01/15/2025.
“Syria and the Challenges of the Stage,” Aletihad (UAE), Pascal Boniface، 01/17/2025.
“Western Powers.. and the Democratic Decline in the World,” Alqabas (KWT) Noura Saleh, 01/15/2025.
“The future of the East,” Al Riyadh (KSA), Mohammed al Haidar, 01/17/2025.
Gulf Nashra Picks
Book: Ruthven, Malise “Unholy kingdom : religion, corruption and violence in Saudi Arabia”, Verso, London, 2025.
Podcast: “Waqf: The Maker of Civilizations, with Dr. Ali Fahd Al-Zumai”, Bedoun Waraq, 01/16/2025, Arabic.
Podcast: “U.S.-Saudi Relations with Ambassador Ratney”, The Majlis Podcast, 01/12/2025, English,
Podcast: “Saify is a realistic movie that resembles our dreams, with the movie director” Thamnyah, 01/05/2025, Arabic with English subtitles.
Analysis: Giorgio, Cafiero, ”Syrian Regime Change: The View from Oman” Arab Center Washington DC, 01/09/2025, English.
Analysis: Chloe Cornish and Joshua Oliver “Donald of Dubai’: real estate mogul rubbing shoulders with Trump” Financial Times, 01/14/2025, English.
Analysis: “Five GCC economic themes to watch in 2025” PWC, 01/08/2025, English.
Research: Al Yahyai, Ahad and Soliman-Hunter, Tina “Shifting national interest in petroleum-producing countries during the energy transition: the Omani experience” The Journal of World Energy Law & Business, 12/18/2025.