Gulf Nashra Weekly Digest
Gulf Authors Discuss Trump’s Visit; Gulf Market Turmoil; Israel Labels Qatar a ‘Terror-Supporting State’; and a Book on The Making of Kuwait
Media Coverage
Gulf
“Gulf bourses in red as oil prices fall.” Reuters, May 22, 2025.
“Oil prices, a catalyst for the Gulf financial markets, had dropped 1.6% by 0651 GMT after a Bloomberg News report that OPEC+ is discussing another super-sized increase in output in July.”
Go Deeper: “Study on influencing factors and forecast of global crude oil prices based on the hybrid model.” Science Direct, 15 May 2025.
Geopolitics
“Trump: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE turning to Washington instead of Beijing.” Middle East Monitor, May 21, 2025.
“Trump added that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are among the “strongest and richest” countries in the region claiming that Washington had abandoned these countries under the administration of his predecessor Joe Biden, and therefore they turned to China.”
Go Deeper: “President Trump’s Gulf Trip: Post-Visit Observations.” Arab Center Washington DC, May 20, 2025.
“Saudi airline resumes flights for Iranian pilgrims for first time in a decade.” Middle East Monitor, May 19, 2025.
“The official said the Saudi airline will operate approximately 225 flights until 1 July, carrying more than 35,000 Iranian pilgrims, stressing that the flights are “for pilgrims only and not commercial”.”
Go Deeper: “The Hajj and Iran’s Foreign Policy towards Saudi Arabia.” Journal of Asian and African Studies, October 5, 2011.
“Coalition backs bill to label Qatar ‘terror-supporting,’ amid hostage talks in Doha.” The Times of Israel, 18 May 2025.
“If passed, it would establish a legal category of “terror-supporting states” for the first time, with its preamble explicitly naming Qatar as the world’s leading financier of terrorism.”
Go Deeper: “Israel’s Campaign against Qatar over Its Support for Gaza and a Ceasefire.” Arab Center for Research & Policy Studies, February 24, 2025.
“Sudan accuses UAE of May 4 drone attacks on Port Sudan.” Reuters, May 20, 2025.
“Sudan said the United Arab Emirates was responsible for an attack on Port Sudan this month, accusing the Gulf state for the first time of direct military intervention in a war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.”
Go Deeper: “Sudan is caught in a web of external interference. So why is an international response still lacking?” Atlantic Council, December 17, 2024.
“Syrian President Al-Sharaa to visit Kuwait end of May.” Arab Times Kuwait, May 19, 2025.
“Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa is scheduled to visit Kuwait at the end of this month, marking his first official trip to the country since assuming leadership during the transitional period, reports Al-Seyassah daily quoting Syrian sources. In an exclusive statement to the daily, sources said this visit will conclude Al-Sharaa’s Gulf tour, which included stops in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Bahrain. Sources added he will visit the Sultanate of Oman before arriving in Kuwait.”
Go Deeper: “The Gulf Shifts Policies in Response to the “New” Syria.” Carnegie, January 31, 2025.
“Oman confirms new round of US-Iran talks despite enrichment dispute.” Al Jazeera, May 21, 2025.
“Tensions began to ease in April as the US and Iran began to hold talks mediated by Oman, but it is not clear how the two sides will bridge the disagreement over Tehran’s enrichment programme.”
Go Deeper: “Diplomacy in Muscat: How Oman Created Room for Iran-U.S. Talks.” Iran Wire, May 13, 2025.
Domestic
“Saudi Arabia poised to increase summer crude burn for power” Energy News Beat, May 20, 2025.
“Saudi Arabia burns significant volumes of crude oil and petroleum products for electricity, particularly during summer months (May–August) when air conditioning demand spikes.”
Go Deeper: “Saudi Arabia’s Renewable Energy Initiatives and Their Geopolitical Implications.” Center Global Energy Policy, October 29, 2024.
“UAE launches Arabic-language AI to compete with Meta, Alibaba.” Tech In Asia, May 22, 2025.
“The focus on both Modern Standard Arabic and regional dialects in Falcon Arabic demonstrates an understanding that capturing linguistic diversity is essential for widespread adoption across different Arabic-speaking populations.”
Go Deeper: “UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031.” UAE National Program for Artificial Intelligence, 2018. [PDF].
“Invest Qatar unveils $1 billion incentives programme to boost foreign and local investment.” Invest Qatar, May 21, 2025.
“The incentives programme is guided by a transparent set of eligibility criteria, including a minimum investment size of QAR 25 million over five years, job creation targets and a track record of operation in relevant sectors. These parameters ensure a streamlined and transparent evaluation process, expediting application reviews and approvals. Investors can access more information and apply for the incentive packages through the Invest Qatar Gateway, the country’s first digital investor platform, offering a seamless application submission.”
Go Deeper: “Third Qatar National Development Strategy.” Qatar’s National Council, 2024, [PDF].
“OpenAI, Oracle and NVIDIA will help build Stargate UAE AI campus launching in 2026.” CNBC, May 22 2025.
“The project, in collaboration with Emirati firm G42, will span 10 square miles and include a 5-gigawatt capacity..”
“As part of the deal, OpenAI and Oracle are slated to manage a 1-gigawatt compute cluster built by G42. The project will include chips from Nvidia, while Cisco Systems will provide connectivity infrastructure.”
Go Deeper: “AI Arrives In The Middle East: US Strikes A Deal with UAE and KSA 5 GW Datacenter, HUMAIN, G42, Diversion and Misuse Risks, Security Requirements, American AI Wins.” Semi Analysis, May 16, 2025.
“Bahrain, Russia Mull Short-Term LNG Deal.” Energy Intelligence, May 21, 2025.
“Bahrain Energy Minister Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Dainah met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak this week to discuss the potential supply agreement for 1.5 million tons — or about 20 cargoes — per year, the source tells Energy Intelligence.”
Go Deeper: “Bahrain - Gas Supply or Production Meters - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.” Index Box, May 1, 2025.
Gulf Opinions
This week, Gulf commentators reflected on the economic significance of President Trump’s recent regional tour, emphasizing the shift in focus from political tensions to strategic economic cooperation. From Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Alraddadi underscored the transformative impact of the visit, asserting that its value lies in producing “deals not wars.” He described the Kingdom’s approach as one of “economic diplomacy,” noting that during Trump’s visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia announced over $600 billion in investments across U.S. sectors including defense, technology, energy, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and advanced industries. This, he argued, signals a fundamental shift toward a “knowledge-based” and strategic partnership between the two countries. Fellow Saudi analyst Abdullah Al Faraj echoed this sentiment, observing that both nations appear eager to “make up for lost time” and accelerate efforts to further strengthen economic ties. In the United Arab Emirates, Ali bin Salem Al Kaabi described the visit to Abu Dhabi as a turning point in UAE-U.S. relations, with cooperation now extending “beyond defense” into cutting-edge technologies and future industries. According to Al Kaabi, the relationship now represents a mature and mutually beneficial model of “international economic integration.” Supporting this view, UAE’s Mohammed Al Ali highlighted the establishment of “the largest Emirati-American AI complex outside the U.S.,” to be built in Abu Dhabi with a capacity of 5 gigawatts. He emphasized the significance of the “UAE-U.S. AI Acceleration Partnership,” with both initiatives announced during Trump’s visit. From Kuwait, Essa Al Amiri emphasized the broader regional benefit of leveraging U.S. expertise through these agreements. He pointed to Qatar’s major “aviation deal” to upgrade its air fleet and Saudi Arabia’s initiatives to modernize its military industries. Most notably, he highlighted the UAE’s unprecedented $1 trillion commitment to build the world’s largest AI hub over the next decade. In Bahrain, Nora Al Faihani commented on the outcomes of the recent Gulf-American Summit in Riyadh, describing the announced economic deals as indicative of a shift toward “technology-driven” collaboration. She emphasized that while some agreements are still in early stages, they reflect a shared commitment to long-term economic diversification in the Gulf and the enhancement of the U.S. manufacturing and tech sectors. Finally, from Oman, Ahmed bin Salem summed up the nature of this new chapter in GCC-U.S. relations: “Trump is looking for oil and gas, while the Gulf needs weapons, modern industries, technology, and healthcare. Therefore, everyone shares common interests and ideas, and our Gulf cards are strong.”
More Gulf Opinions
On the Gulf Economic Shifts After Trump Visit
“That moment was not a mere protocol gesture, but a sincere expression of Qatar's approach to building its relationships, an approach rooted in mutual respect, genuine generosity, and honest intentions. In Qatar, politics does not begin behind closed doors, but through open, human connections built on understanding and appreciation, sustained by a solid foundation of trust.”
Maryam Alhamadi, Alarab, (Qatar), May 17, 2025.
“This approach has elevated the status of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), making it one of the most ambitious and active sovereign wealth funds globally. Participating in high-profile deals with major American corporations provides the Fund with an opportunity to strengthen its international influence while gaining managerial and technological expertise that supports the domestic economy through planned future projects within the Kingdom.”
Resini Alresini, Aljazirah, (Saudi Arabia), May 21, 2025.
“Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have become prime destinations for advanced global investments, offering vast opportunities across various vital sectors. The strength of the Gulf economies is increasingly recognized as a successful model for the economy of the future.”
Hammad Mado, Annahar, (Kuwait), May 20, 2025.
Other Topics
“Although Pakistan possesses American F-16 fighter jets, their use is restricted by a U.S. condition: they must only be used in counterterrorism operations. This limitation prompted Pakistan to pursue military cooperation with China, including the development of its air force and the purchase of Chinese-made fighter jets and missiles. These systems proved their superiority in the recent confrontation with the Indian Air Force, which largely relies on Western-made weaponry.”
Sultan Al Khalaf, Alrai, (Kuwait), May 20, 2025.
“The remarkable and wide-reaching transformation taking place in the Kingdom, touching every sector and field, requires a concentrated focus on enhancing Saudi Arabia's unparalleled soft power. This soft power is a powerful and captivating symbol of the nation's uniqueness and distinction, reflecting its rich history, deep-rooted civilization, and inspiring identity.”
Fadel Al Omani, Alriyadh, (Saudi Arabia), May 21, 2025.
“US sanctions on the Sudanese military for its use of chemical weapons against its own civilians put the record straight: There is no solution except an immediate cessation of hostilities and a political process leading to an independent civilian government.”
Anwar Gargash, X, (UAE), May 23, 2025.
“Member of the US Congress: Gaza must be hit with a nuclear bomb. Imagine...If an Arab or Muslim official called for a nuclear attack on Israel, what would be the response?
Note.. That ‘Israel’ was established on land that is not its land, and its inhabitants came from all over the world, while the people of Gaza live on their land and defend their homeland.”
Jaber Alharmi, X, (Qatar), May 23, 2025.
Picks
Book: Edited By Mahjoob Zweiri and Sinem Cengiz “The Making of Contemporary Kuwait: Identity, Politics, and its Survival Strategy.” Routledge, June 3, 2024.
Analysis: “Back to reality: Gravity remains in place after Trump’s trip.” Brian Katulis, Middle East Institute, May 21, 2025.
Analysis: “Saudi Arabia Changes its Tune on Nuclear Negotiations with Iran.” Alexander Langlois, Gulf International Forum, May 13, 2025.
Analysis: Charles W. Dunne, Dana El Kurd, Imad K. Harb, Khalil E. Jahshan, Assal Rad, Annelle Sheline “President Trump’s Gulf Trip: Post-Visit Observations.” Arab Center Washington DC, May 20, 2025.
Issue: “Water Ways: Critical Studies in the Gulf and Arab History.” Fahad Bishara and Amna Sadiq, The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, 04 May, 2025.
Analysis: “Turkish-Saudi Convergence in the New Middle East.” Ömer Taşpınar, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington,May 21, 2025.
Podcast: “Trump's Middle East Approach, the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, and the Future of US Statecraft – with Amb. Dennis Ross” Brian Katulis hosts Dennis Ross, Middle East Institute, May 20, 2025.
Analysis: “Will Trump’s Gulf Trip Exacerbate or Mitigate the Arab World’s Three Plagues?” Rami G. Khouri, Arab Center in Washington, May 22, 2025.
Analysis: “Beyond Oil: India and Saudi Arabia’s Bid for a Multipolar Global Future.” Emil Avdaliani, Gulf International Forum, May 22, 2025.
Commentary: “In the GCC, Today’s Fossil Fuel Workers are Tomorrow’s Green Engineers.” Hind Al Ansari, Gulf International Forum, May 22, 2025.
Analysis: “It’s Official: Trump and the Gulf Arab Countries Deeply Love Each Other.” Hussein Ibish, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, May 19, 2025.
Analysis: “Deals Without Guarantees: Trump’s Gulf Visit and the Future of US–Saudi Relations.” Arab Center Washington DC, May 22, 2025.
Webinar: “Saudi Arabia’s Sports Ambitions: Diversification and Sustainability?” Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, May 27, 2025.
Analysis: “The Future of Cryptocurrency in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.” Ala’a Kolkaila, Carnegie, May 21, 2025.
Analysis: “How Trump's Gulf visit could transform the Middle East.” Paul Salem, The National, May 16, 2025.
Podcast: “AI, Tech, and the Future of US-Gulf Relations.” Hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj speak with Mohammed Soliman, Middle East Institute, May 22, 2025.
Analysis: “Key Role of Gulf States in India-Pakistan Mediation.” Umer Karim, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, May 16, 2025.