Gulf Nashra Weekly Digest
Gulf Authors Celebrate International Women’s Day; Zelensky’s Visit to Saudi Arabia; and Gulf Markets End Mixed.
Media Coverage
“GCC inflation rises by 1.7%, Kuwait records highest rate.” The Arabian Strories, March 08, 2025.
“Among GCC nations, Kuwait recorded the highest inflation rate at 2.4%, followed by Saudi Arabia at 1.9%, Qatar at 0.9%, Oman at 0.8%, and Bahrain at 0.3%.”
Go Deeper: “General Gulf Inflation of the GCC for October 2024” GCC Statistical Center, March 06, 2025. [PDF].
“Ukraine proposes a partial ceasefire at talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia.” France 24, March 11, 2025.
“Ukraine said talks with the United States in Saudi Arabia were progressing "constructively" on Tuesday, with a partial ceasefire with Russia on the table hours after Kyiv conducted its largest drone attack on Moscow in three years of war.
Go Deeper: “From oil wealth to key diplomatic player: How Saudi Arabia emerged as a global mediator.” Euro News, March 07, 2025.
“Iran rejects nuclear talks as UAE delivers Trump's letter.” BBC, March 13, 2025.
“The IAEA said last month that Iran had stockpiled almost 275kg (606lb) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which is near weapons grade. That would theoretically be enough, if enriched to 90%, for six nuclear bombs.”
Go Deeper: “China, Russia, Iran to hold nuclear talks in Beijing on Friday.” Rueters, March 12, 2025.
“US envoy in Qatar for talks on extending fragile Gaza ceasefire.” BBC, March 12, 2025.
“This week, negotiators from both sides have begun meeting mediators for the first time since President Donald Trump took office on 20 January. The 42-day first phase of the Gaza deal and temporary truce came into effect on the eve of his inauguration.”
Go Deeper: “Israel’s Campaign against Qatar over Its Support for Gaza and a Ceasefire.” Arab Center in Doha, February 24, 2025. [PDF].
“Qatar begins supplying natural gas to Syria through Jordan.” Al Jazeera, March 10, 2025.
“In a statement issued on Thursday, Qatar said the initiative comes as part of a deal signed with Jordan and in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme.”
Go Deeper: Official Statment: “Qatar Begins Supplying Electricity to Syria” QNA, March 13, 2025.
“Gulf markets end mixed on Ukraine ceasefire hopes, tariff fears.” Reuters, March 12, 2025.
“Stock markets in the Gulf ended mixed on Wednesday, buoyed by Ukraine's readiness to support a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, but investor optimism was tempered by concerns over the economic fallout of U.S. tariffs.”
Go Deeper: “Trump threatens further tariffs as EU, Canada retaliate for those already in place.” Reuters, March 13, 2025.
“Saudi Residential Real Estate Market Expected to Attract $1.22 Billion in 2025.” Asharq Al-Awsat, March 12, 2025.
“Saudi Arabia’s private sector buyers are expected to spend $1.22 billion on residential real estate in 2025, with the NEOM megaproject emerging as the most attractive destination for home purchases, according to global real estate consultancy Knight Frank.”
Go Deeper: “Vision 2030 in the Home Stretch: Clear Achievements yet Limited Accountability.” Carnegie, March 10, 2025.
“UAE to push for easier access to US chip technology, Blooomberg News reports.” Reuters, March 13, 2025.
“Under the regulations, countries such as Japan, Britain, South Korea and the Netherlands would essentially be exempt from the rules while others, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, will face some caps.”
Go Deeper: “UAE: Global Chip Makers Evaluate Building Plants In The Gulf.” Global Finance, October 6, 2024.
“Oman: 10 projects underway to boost Oman’s gas transportation capacity, OQGN.” Zawaya, March 13, 2025.
“The ongoing initiatives come on top of four projects that were delivered by OQGN during 2024. They include the 17 km pipeline project in Duqm, and the Saib Project which added 208 km of 32-inch pipeline in the Dhofar Governorate to increase the south grid capacity by 60 per cent.”
Go Deeper: “Is the Oman Vision 2040 compatible with human rights?” Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain, November 18, 2024.
“UAE aluminium exports to US jump ahead of Trump tariffs, data shows.” Reuters, March 13, 2025.
“On average, the business costs of UAE producers are lower than for Canadian ones, according to CRU estimates, while Emirates Global Aluminium is the lowest-cost producer globally," Buchneva said, referring to figures from a consultancy. She added that the UAE would be able to profitably export the metal to the U.S. even with a tariff.”
Go Deeper: “Major Gulf markets ease on global trade war concerns” Reuters, March 10, 2025.
“Bahrain announces record $2bln housing budget for 2025-2026.” Zawaya, March 11, 2025.
“Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi revealed last month that there are 47,600 families waiting for housing services and homes across the kingdom.”
Go Deeper: Bahrain: “Total State Revenue & Expenditure for the Fiscal Years 2023 & 2024.” Bahrain Government [PDF].
Gulf Opinions
This week, Gulf commentators celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8. Bader Al-Modaires, a Kuwaiti writer, expressed his pride in Kuwaiti women, highlighting their active engagement not only in Kuwait’s social, scientific, and economic spheres but also in diplomatic and international affairs. From Saudi Arabia, Layla Al Jaber asserted that, unlike in many other nations, Saudi women have earned their rights “without” resorting to “revolution,” as they are considered fundamental partners in human development, national security, and the shaping of future leaders. From Bahrain, Yasir Jumaa commented on the speech delivered by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, noting that Bahraini women are not only recognized at the national level but are also being acknowledged “globally” through “initiatives” such as the Global Award for Women's Empowerment, which has become a model for promoting and supporting women's issues worldwide. From Qatar, Amal Abdulmalik asserted that Qatari women “enjoy more rights than women in the West,” who, she argued, are often subjected to “violations, domestic and workplace violence, and physical exploitation.” Finally, from Oman, Siham Al Harthi highlighted that although “no women secured a victory in the most recent Omani elections [at the Shoura Council], their influence remains undeniable.”
In addition, several Saudi commentators hailed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Jeddah, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in pursuit of a “diplomatic” resolution to the Ukraine-Russia war. Hamoud Abu Taleb emphasized that this step lays the groundwork for an “upcoming major peace summit” in the Kingdom, with the goal of ending the conflict. Similarly, Abdulaziz Al-Jarallah underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global affairs, particularly in promoting peace and stability. He pointed out that the most critical outcome of Zelensky’s visit was the “notable progress” achieved in the U.S.-Ukraine talks held in Jeddah, where Saudi Arabia’s “effective mediation” facilitated several agreements on peaceful solutions to the crisis. Additionally, Sultan Al-Qahtani praised Saudi Arabia’s global diplomatic efforts, reaffirming its position as a “neutral mediator” with “credible leadership” and “strong diplomatic ties” to key players in the conflict.
More Gulf Opinions
On International Women’s Day
“Saudi Arabia has adopted a different model, one that focuses on achieving true empowerment for women without compromising their natural role in building families and society.”
Lamia Al Ibrahim, Alyaum, (Saudi Arabia), March, 14, 2025.
“There is a phrase that I deeply love yet find profoundly painful: ‘When mothers depart, the needles that stitch wounds begin to rust.’ And let us not forget the father, for he is the one who supports this mother.”
Sheikha Abdulrahman Al-Houty, Aljarida, (Kuwait), March, 14, 2025.
“The contributions of Omani women in promoting voluntary work during the holy month of Ramadan are an integral part of building a cohesive and interconnected society.”
Noura bint Hammad, Oman Daily, (Oman), March 14, 2025.
On Zelensky Visit to Saudi Arabia
“The success of the Kingdom's foreign policy did not come by chance but stems from its belief that true strength lies not in stubbornness, but in flexibility; not in escalation, but in restraint; not in finding faults, but in offering opportunities.”
Mohammed bin Muflihh, Alwatan, (Saudi Arabia), March 12, 2025.
“While Kyiv was seeking new avenues for dialogue, Zelensky’s visit to the Kingdom reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia is not merely a mediator but also a secure platform for dialogue between conflicting parties, whether through direct or indirect negotiations.”
Firas Ibrahim Trabulsi, Okaz, (Saudi Arabia), March 13, 2025.
Other Topics
“Economic partnerships with Sub-Saharan African nations, which have witnessed an 87% growth in trade volume over five years, highlight the UAE’s strategic awareness of the importance of expanding into new markets beyond its traditional trading partners.”
Abdulah Alhashmi, Aletihad, (UAE), March 12, 2025.
“Expo 2020 Dubai was a living embodiment of this philosophy, where the UAE successfully transformed potential pessimism into tangible optimism, challenges into opportunities, and dreams into reality.”
Reem Al Hashimy, Albayan, (UAE), March 10, 2025.
“As a result, in principle, this escalation could push Trump toward military action against Iran—despite his reluctance—if he feels compelled or emboldened, particularly given his strong alignment with Israel, especially the right-wing ruling elite, and Iran's weakened position following the dismantling of its key proxies and strategic arms.”
Faten Al Dosari, Al Sharq, (Qatar), March 13, 2025.
“This significant shift in the U.S. administration underscores that Washington is under pressure from the families of hostages held by Hamas and that Israel has not effectively assisted the U.S. in securing the release of American detainees. Consequently, the United States chose to act independently, sending its envoy to Doha to engage in direct negotiations with Hamas.”
Ali Shaheen Aljazzaf, Al Watan, (Bahrain), March 10, 2025.
“The mission of the new [Syrian] authority should not be limited to establishing military control; rather, it must focus on building a state founded on justice and citizenship, rather than a logic of revenge. If the previous regime committed crimes against the Syrian people, the response should not be to repeat the same practices.”
Yousif Aldayni, Asharq Al-Awsat, (Saudi Arabia), March 12, 2025.
“The agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government was brokered through U.S. mediation. Similarly, the Gaza ceasefire agreement is being shaped by American diplomacy, and the United States also serves as the mediator in Lebanon-Israel border negotiations. It is evident that America is reasserting its influence in the region, holding a full set of strategic cards that allow it to dictate the course of war and peace. What stands out is that both allies and adversaries place their trust in the United States.”
Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, X, (UAE), March 14, 2025.
Gulf Nashra Picks
Book: Frederic Teboul, Thierry Pastor, Alan Dershowitz, and Ahdeya Ahmed Al-Sayed “The Builder: the role of the crown prince of Saudi Arabia as a leader in world peace.” Simon and Schuster, May 20, 2025. [Order].
Analysis: “Trump’s Middle East Policy and Its Impact on Saudi Arabia.” Sultan Alamer, New Lines Institute, March 07, 2025.
Paper: “Will Kuwait’s Parliamentary Democracy Be Restored, Reformed, or Repudiated?” Omar Al Jasser and Nathan Brown, Carnegie, March 13, 2025.
Podcast: “Questions on the Arab-Israeli Conflict.” Wa Ma Baad, interview with Kamel Al-Khatti by Layal Al-Ekhtiar, Mar 7, 2025. EN subtitle.
Analysis: “How Saudi Arabia and the US might reset the Middle East.” Lina Khatib, Chatham House, March 10, 2025.
Report: “The Gulf state purging tens of thousands of its citizens.” Financial Times, March 09, 2025.
Podcast: “Abu Hamad: The Bedouin Who Shunned Society” Podcast Dha Qal, Mar 11, 2025.
Analysis: “Saudi–Israel Normalization: Parameters for an Acceptable Deal.” Trita Parsi and Annelle Sheline, Quincy Institute, March 12, 2025.
Paper: “Vision 2030 in the Home Stretch: Clear Achievements yet Limited Accountability.” Andrew Leber, Carnegie, March 10, 2025.