Gulf Nashra Weekly Digest
Saudi Arabia Can Survive Low Oil Prices; Two Arrests in Kuwait Spur Controversy; UAE Thwarts Arms Transfer to Sudan; A Book on GCC Security Politics.
Oman Hosts a New Phase of US-Iran Nuclear Talks
Media Coverage
“Saudi Arabia signals it can live with lower oil prices, sources say.” Reuters, April 30, 2025.
“Saudi Arabian officials are briefing allies and industry experts to say the kingdom is unwilling to prop up the oil market with further supply cuts and can handle a prolonged period of low prices, five sources with knowledge of the talks said.”
Go Deeper: “Is Saudi Arabia Preparing for Another Oil Price War?” Charles Kennedy, Oil Price, April 30, 2025.
“US-Iran talks planned for May 3 postponed for logistical reasons, Omani foreign minister.” Al Arabiya, May 1, 2025.
“Oman said on Thursday that the next round of US- Iran nuclear talks provisionally planned for Saturday, May 3 would be rescheduled for logistical reasons.”
Go Deeper: “Why Oman? Explaining the choice of venue for US-Iran talks.” Jonathan Campbell-James, The Interpreter, April 11, 2025.
“UAE has ‘thwarted an illegal attempt’ to transfer ammunition to Sudan's army.” Middle East Monitor, April 30, 2025.
“UAE state media reported on Wednesday that security services had thwarted an attempt by Sudanese military leaders and others to illegally transfer ammunition to Sudan’s army.”
Go Deeper: “Sudan army denies UAE arms claim, accuses Emirates of backing RSF militia” Sudan Tribune, April 30, 2025.
“US approves $425 mln Patriot equipment and support sale to Kuwait: Pentagon.” Al Arabiya News, April 30, 2025.
“The US State Department has approved the potential sale of Patriot missile systems equipment and support services to Kuwait for an estimated cost of $425 million, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.”
Go Deeper: “Beyond Post-Desert Storm: How to Elevate the US-Kuwait Security Partnership.” Bilal Y. Saab, Middle East Institute, September 14, 2022.
“Saudi Arabia, Qatar to settle Syria’s outstanding debt to the World Bank.” Al Jazeera, April 27, 2025.
“Saudi Arabia and Qatar have announced that they will settle Syria’s debt to the World Bank totalling roughly $15m, according to a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency, in the latest effort to help reverse the economic fortunes of a nation beset by years of war.”
Go Deeper: “Syria Becomes a Front Line in Protecting Saudi Security.” Hesham Alghannam, Carnegie, March 26, 2025.
“Exclusive: Trump poised to offer Saudi Arabia over $100 billion arms package, sources say.” Reuters, April 25, 2025.
“The United States is poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, six sources with direct knowledge of the issue told Reuters, saying the proposal was being lined up for announcement during U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom in May.”
Go Deeper: “Trump’s Upcoming Trip to Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Uncertainties.” Gregory Aftandilian, Arab Center Washington DC, April 25, 2025.
“Trump's stablecoin chosen for $2 billion Abu Dhabi investment in Binance, co-founder says.” Reuters, May 1, 2025.
“A stablecoin launched by Donald Trump's World Liberty Financial crypto venture is being used by an Abu Dhabi investment firm for its $2 billion investment in crypto exchange Binance, one of World Liberty's co-founders said on Thursday.”
Go Deeper: “New Mideast Project Is Latest Trump Company Deal Tied to a Foreign Government.” The New York Times, April 30, 2025.
“Crown Prince donates SR1 billion to support housing for eligible families.” Saudi Gazette, April 28, 2025.
“Prince Mohammed directed that the housing projects funded by this donation be completed within 12 months and executed by national companies..”
“He also ordered monthly progress reports to ensure that all residential units are delivered within one year.”
Go Deeper: “Vision 2030 in the Home Stretch: Clear Achievements yet Limited Accountability.” Andrew Leber, Carnegie, March 10, 2025.
“IMF official urges Bahrain to cut debt and spending.” Arabian Gulf Business Insight, May 1, 2025.
“The International Monetary Fund is urging Bahrain, the Gulf’s most indebted country, to do more to reduce liabilities, bring government finances under control and spur economic growth.”
Go Deeper: “IMF: Bahrain should continue efforts to lower government debt.” Kyle Fitzgerald, The National, November 27, 2024.
“Signing of 18 logistics agreements worth 100 million riyals to support smart and sustainable transformation of the sector.” Oman, April 30, 2025.
“He [Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Transport] affirmed that the logistics sector currently contributes more than 6% to the GDP, making it the second-largest contributing sector. Investment in the sector has exceeded 2.3 billion Omani rials, with a target of reaching 2.5 billion rials by the end of this year. There is also an ambition to raise the sector's contribution to 14% of the GDP in the future.”
Go Deeper: “The Role of Logistics Sector Reforms in Achieving Oman Vision 2040 Economic Goals.” Babatunde Sanni, Research Gate, February 11, 2025.
Gulf Opinions
Last week, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, led by Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, announced the arrest of two citizens in unrelated cases that have stirred widespread discussion. The first, Sultan Al-Fares, is known for operating several anonymous news accounts on social media platform X. The second is the prominent lawyer and influencer Mohammed Al-Mudhafer, reportedly apprehended in possession of illegal substances. Both were photographed by the authorities—kneeling, hands bound behind their backs, with confiscated items displayed in front of them. The images were shared publicly through the ministry’s official account, prompting mixed reactions online.
Reactions to Al-Mudhafer’s arrest were particularly polarized. While some users praised the ministry’s transparency and applauded law enforcement’s diligence, others expressed concern over the legality and ethics of circulating arrest photos prior to judicial proceedings. “We cannot accept this campaign against someone who has not yet been tried in court,” wrote lawyer Bashar Al-Nassar. “Public shaming is unacceptable. Please consider the feelings of his family and loved ones.” In contrast, Abdullah Fahad posted: “Every day brings a new achievement by the heroes of the Ministry of Interior. These arrests are commendable accomplishments that deserve our full appreciation.”
As for Al-Fares, he had reportedly managed more than eight anonymous accounts on X for years, significantly influencing Kuwait’s online political discourse. His platforms became known for disseminating news, commentary, and political messaging— without disclosing his identity. Since the Emir’s suspension of parliament on May 10, 2024, media and political speech have increasingly come under state oversight. According to Freedom House, Kuwait’s freedom score dropped from 37 ("Partly Free") to 31 ("Not Free") in the past year, reflecting growing concern over restrictions on political rights, and civil liberties.
More Gulf Opinions
Kuwait Constitutional Reform
“Since the 1980s, we have blamed all our setbacks on the government and the National Assembly. But I believe that 80% of these failures are rooted in the constitution itself, which we were raised to treat as untouchable.”
Jassem Boodai, Al Rai, April 26, 2025.
“But the fundamental question remains: Is our current government capable of undertaking a constitutional revision that addresses the flaws which have emerged over the long course of democratic practice? I would like to say yes, but—as I pointed out in a previous article—the constitutional practices I have witnessed prompt pause and reflection before making such a judgment. Moreover, the circulating reports about committees formed of lawyers, judges, and some politicians to study the matter raise several questions in my mind.”
Ali Al Sabah, X, April 27, 2025.
“There is an agreement between both parties—possibly even among members of the national elite—on the need to revise the constitution, whether from within or through an external process, to meet the demands and developments that have shaped the political landscape. Even some of the founding fathers, including those who participated in the Constituent Assembly, believed that the constitutional texts approved at the time required reconsideration after at least five years. Developments over the past years have only reaffirmed the need for change—not just now, but for more than 40 years, a revision should have already taken place.”
Nasser Alabdli, Al Qabas, April 30, 2025.
Other Topics
“The recent recordings revealed that Abdel Nasser was the one who led the shift, making a 180-degree turn away from the policy of confrontation. In the recording, the late leader did not change his belief in the Palestinian cause and their right to their occupied land, but he did change Egypt’s strategy in dealing with the conflict.”
Abdulrahman Al-Rashed, Asharq Al-Awsat, May 2, 2025.
“The Naksa was not merely a military defeat; it was the collapse of an entire political project built on illusions, wishful thinking, and dreams—without any real willingness for self-reflection or even political criticism. Whenever someone tried to speak the truth, they were labeled as suspicious or defeatist. In this way, slogans turned into shackles, and accusing others of betrayal became a substitute for critical thinking.”
Hani Mashour, X, May 1, 2025.
“We are facing a major sedition project that will burn everyone. As Syria’s new Grand Mufti, Sheikh Osama Al-Rifai, rightly said on his Facebook account: “If strife breaks out in our country… all of us—of every ethnicity, every religion, every sect—will be losers.”..”
Mshari Al-Zaydi, Asharq Al-Awsat, May 1, 2025.
“I believe these negotiations are merely a tactic to buy time, and the biggest beneficiary is Iran, as it continues to enrich more uranium. This is especially concerning after the report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency last February, in which it expressed concern over Iran's ability to enrich uranium to nearly 60%—far exceeding the 3.67% limit stipulated in the nuclear agreement..”
Ali Shaheen Al-Jazzaf, Al Watan, April 28, 2025.
“The crime they speak of never took place, and there is no evidence for it except in the literature and media of that military government. It amounts to nothing more than claims and allegations. The legal, political, and criminal responsibility lies with the Sudanese Armed Forces themselves, as they represent the de facto authority in Sudan—an authority that was supposed to protect civilians and ensure their safety.”
Aisha Al-Merri, Al Etihad, April 28, 2025.
“Within this framework, loans provided to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accounted for around 10% of total bank lending in 2024, thus achieving the target for the year. This reflects the efforts of financial institutions to increase financing for this sector and enhance its role in stimulating economic activity and developing the private sector.”
Murad Al-Zahrani, Al Eqtisadiah, May 1, 2025.
Gulf Nashra Picks
Book: David B. Roberts “Security Politics in the Gulf Monarchies: Continuity Amid Change” Columbia Studies in Middle East Politics, April 18, 2023.
Analysis: “Trump’s Upcoming Trip to Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Uncertainties.” Gregory Aftandilian, Arab Center Washington DC, April 25, 2025.
Podcast: “China Vs USA: Who Holds the Stronger Tools?” with Osama Al-Falah, Mahfoof, April 24, 2025. [English Subtitles].
Essay: “Manama Story: Preserving the Soul of the City.” Shifaa Alsairafi, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, Mar 27, 2025
Analysis: “The Abraham Accords After Gaza: A Change of Context.” Alexandre Kateb, Carnegie, April 25, 2025.
Webinar: “First Stop, Riyadh: Why Trump's Saudi Visit Will Be Nothing Like the Last.” With F. Gregory Gause, Middle East Institute, April 30, 2025.
Analysis: “Behavioral Insights for Vision 2030 and beyond.” King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, April 2025. [PDF].
Analysis: “100 Days of Trump: Gulf Experts’ Perspectives.” Gulf International Forum. May 1, 2025.
Webinar: “Iran, the Gulf and the Great Reset.” with Mehran Kamrava, Middle East Monitor Conversation, April 9, 2025.
Analysis: “Economic Ambitions Drive the Gulf’s Support for Diplomacy with Iran.” Giorgio Cafiero, Gulf International Forum, April 30, 2025.
Academic Paper: Elham Fakhro “The Gulf States in the Multipolar Transition.” Middle East Political Science, February 2025.