Gulf Nashra Weekly Digest
Gulf Authors Debate Arab Summits on Gaza; Kuwait Continues Revoking Citizenship from Thousands; Saudi Hosts US-Russia Negotiation.
Media Coverage
“More than 9,000 people lose their nationality in Kuwait in a single batch.” Arabi 21, February 16, 2025.
“More than 34,000 people, excluding their dependents—who number in the tens of thousands—have lost Kuwaiti nationality, according to unofficial estimates.”
“Arab Leaders Scramble to Counter Trump’s Gaza Plans.” New York Times, February 21, 2025.
“Mr. Trump appeared to concede on Friday that his efforts at persuasion had failed and that refusals by Egypt and Jordan to accept displaced Gazans would make the idea unworkable.”
Go Deeper: “Insight: The Geopolitical Consequences of the Gaza War for the Gulf States.” Gulf Nashra, February 20, 2025.
“US-Russia Talks: Saudis host Ukraine meeting without Ukraine, Zelenskiy says no decisions 'behind our backs'.” Reuters, February 19, 2025.
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he postponed a visit to Saudi Arabia planned for Wednesday until next month.”
Go Deeper: “Kingdom of Change: Saudi Arabia’s Evolving Foreign Policy.” RUSI, June 5, 2023.
“Saudi Arabia to Begin Implementation of Personal Status Law System.” Asharq Al-Awsat, February 22, 2025.
“The law sets the legal age for marriage at 18. It grants women the right to annul a marriage unilaterally if the right conditions are met. Other articles are in line with the demands of the modern era and are designed to resolve problems that had been persistent in families and marriages, effectively elevating the status of the Saudi woman in society.”
Go Deeper: “Saudi Arabia: Law Enshrines Male Guardianship.” Human Rights Watch, March 3, 2023.
“Zelensky lands in UAE as US and Russia prepare for Ukraine peace talks.” France 24, February 16, 2025.
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky touched down in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for an official visit ahead of planned talks between US and Russian officials, expected to take place in Saudi Arabia in the coming days. The UAE has been an important mediator between Kyiv and Moscow throughout the conflict.”
Go Deeper: “UAE: Zelensky's diplomatic push and MBZ’s strategic support.” Tactical Report, February 18, 2025.
“The number of tourists in the Gulf countries grew by 42.8%.” Al Watan, February 18, 2025.
“The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States… emphasized… that this significant leap enhances the region's stature as a global tourist destination. This achievement is part of the Gulf Tourism Strategy 2023 - 2030, which aims to increase revenues to $188 billion.”
Go Deeper: “Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Destination Tourism Trends” Global Data, September 24, 2024.
“Qatar’s emir holds talks with Iran’s supreme leader in Tehran.” Al Jazeera, February 19, 2025.
“The leaders discussed “the unity of the Syrian territories and the participation of all categories in Syria to determine their future”, Sheikh Tamim said.”
Go Deeper: “Iranian-Qatari Relations After Al-Ula.” Carnegie, February 1, 2021.
Oman: “Salalah hosts the first factory in the Gulf for manufacturing semiconductors and chips.” Asharq Al-Awsat, February 17, 2025.
“In a landmark agreement for the Gulf region, Oman signed a memorandum of understanding today with "EO NH Private Holdings" to develop an advanced semiconductor and artificial intelligence chip project, in collaboration with a consortium of regional and international investment funds.”
Go Deeper: “The Great Power Tech Race in the Persian Gulf: A Western Perspective” Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. 20 February, 2025.
“Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference kicks off in Manama Wednesday.” WAM, February 19, 2025.
“The Conference is attended by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, along with more than 400 prominent scholars, thinkers, and stakeholders from across the globe.”
Go Deeper: “Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference concludes with a call for unity.” BNA, February 20, 2025.
“Saudi Arabia seeks to mediate between Trump and Iran on new nuclear deal” CNN, February 16, 2025.
“The kingdom is concerned that Iran may be more inclined to pursue a nuclear weapon now that its regional proxies – long viewed as a deterrent against Israeli attacks – have been significantly weakened. Saudi Arabia hopes to leverage its close ties with President Donald Trump to provide Iran with a diplomatic bridge to the White House.”
Go Deeper: “Iran’s Difficult Choices.” Carnegie, February 28, 2024.
“Oil heads for weekly gain on supply jitters” CNBC, February 21, 2025.
“Oil prices fell on Friday but were still poised for a weekly gain on supply disruption in Russia while uncertainty looms over a potential peace deal in Ukraine.”
Go Deeper: “Unveiling the impact of geopolitical conflict on oil prices: A case study of the Russia-Ukraine War and its channels” Energy Economics.
“Death of two Kuwaiti soldiers during joint training.” SABA, February 20, 2025.
“The Kuwaiti army announced, today, Thursday, the formation of a joint technical team with the American side to investigate the circumstances of an accident that resulted in the death of two Kuwaiti soldiers and the injury of others during a joint training on Wednesday.”
Go Deeper: “Kuwait Press Release on X.”
Gulf Opinions
The Gulf commentators focused on the Cairo summit that is scheduled to take place on March 4th, and yesterday's mini-summit in Riyadh. Both summits are in reaction to Trump’s proposed displacement plan for Palestinians in Gaza. Saudi commentator Abdullah Faisal Alrebh asserts that Saudi Arabia has consistently supported the Palestinians' right to their land. He emphasizes that while President Jimmy Carter managed to persuade the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to sign the Camp David Accords “under the pretext of personal friendship,” Prince Mohammed bin Salman remains resolute in his stance, which is rooted in Saudi Arabia’s long-standing commitment to “supporting the Palestinian cause.” From Kuwait, Abdulrahman Almesfer argues that the Riyadh mini-summit will go “beyond protocol” to establish a “foundation for collective Arab action” in confronting mounting regional challenges. He stresses the urgency of halting Israeli violations against Palestinians and expresses confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to address this destabilizing issue. In contrast, Qatari commentator Ahmed Al Saai expresses skepticism about the upcoming Arab summits, contending that Israel has long “deceived” the region and led some Arab states into normalization without real concessions. He warns of signs indicating imminent normalization between Israel and “the largest Arab country.” Meanwhile, Anwar Gargash, an Emirati diplomat and special advisor to UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed, reiterates the UAE’s commitment to “fair rights, reducing human suffering, and supporting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.” From Oman, Khamis Alqtaiti expresses optimism about the Cairo summit, viewing it as a “historic opportunity” for Arab leaders to stand with their people and take a firm stance against Israeli actions. Similarly, Bahraini commentator Ali Shaheen Aljazzaf calls for unprecedented “Arab unity,” urging nations to “set aside” differences and focus on countering efforts to forcibly displace the Palestinians.
More Gulf Opinions
On The Two Arab Summits
“And no rational or irrational person would accept it except for Israel, which dreams of it so that America can accomplish what it has failed to do. However, this is impossible to implement. If the U.S. administration truly seeks to extinguish the escalating turmoil in the region, it must refine its policies and support the United Nations and the international community in establishing peace."
Mohammed bin Faraj Al Shehri, Al-Jazirah, (Saudi Arabia),February 17, 2025.
“And in everyone's minds, there are questions, astonishment, and disbelief! How can such illogical statements be made—statements that will lead to global instability and turmoil—by the President of the United States, a country that claims to uphold global peace, defend the independence of nations, respect state sovereignty, and pride itself on being a protector of human rights?”
Mohammed Al Moqatei, Aljarida, (Kuwait), February 19, 2025.
“The flood has arrived, despite the lies and claims spread by many and the efforts of others to halt its advance and restrain it. It has come by divine will for the purpose of striking down the false Zionist project, marking the beginning of its end, God willing. This is not only from our perspective as believers in God's victory but also from their own perspective—the Zionists and their supporters—who recognize that its demise is near.”
Abdulla Alamadi, Al-sharq, (Qatar), February 20, 2025.
“The target is not just Gaza, nor merely Palestine or the illusion of peace, but the entire Middle East—not only the present but also the past and future through their reshaping. This is the Middle East they seek to create, and it would not be surprising if we were to see Israel as a member of the Arab League, with its Secretary-General being Israeli.”
Naser Al Mangi, Alwatan, (Oman), February 16, 2025.
“Key Arab states categorically reject President Trump's indecent proposal for Gaza.”
Abdulkhaleq Abdullah, X, (UAE), February 21, 2025.
“In short: If Trump's plan to displace the people of Gaza fails, it will be thanks to Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the grandson of kings. If it succeeds, it will be due to the obstinacy of Hamas and its leadership.”
Abdulaah Al-Jedai, X, (KSA), February 21, 2025.
Other Topics
“Saudi Arabia is hosting the fourth edition of the LEAP 2025 International Tech Conference, not only to establish itself as a regional hub but also to position itself as a global destination for investment in artificial intelligence. The event features strategic investments exceeding $17 billion.”
Abdul-Hafeez Abdul Rahim Mahboob, Al-jazirah, (Saudi Arabia), February 17, 2025.
“Kuwait's financial situation requires serious measures to rationalize expenditures, particularly in light of the significant increase in salary spending, which has risen from 12 billion dinars in 2020 to over 15 billion dinars in the upcoming 2025 budget—an increase of 25% over the past six years. Additionally, there has been a notable rise in subsidy expenses, particularly for electricity and petroleum derivatives, which remain among the cheapest in the Gulf region.”
Kamel Abdullah Al Harmi, Al Rai, (Kuwait), February 17, 2025.
“Cybersecurity challenges are increasing, as threats evolve rapidly, requiring new strategies to address them.”
Amal Almohannadi, Al Raya, (Qatar), February 20, 2025.
“The unified Gulf tourist visa. This initiative aims to facilitate the movement of tourists between the GCC countries. Expectations indicate that this visa may start operating during the first half of this year, which will contribute to increasing tourist flows and enhancing economic integration between member states.”
Madreen Al Maktomya, Alroya, (Oman), February 18, 2025.
“These two exhibitions played a pivotal role in supporting local defense industries, by providing an ideal environment for establishing strategic partnerships between international companies and their Emirati counterparts.”
Amal Abdullah, Albayan, (UAE), February 19, 2025.
“Two soldiers from the Kuwaiti army were martyred today during a live-fire night training exercise. May Allah have mercy on them, forgive them, and grant patience to their families.”
Ahmed Al Maimoni, X, February 21, 2025.
Gulf Nashra Picks
Book: Fakhro, Elham “The Abraham Accords: The Gulf States, Israel, and the Limits of Normalization.” Columbia University Press, November 2024.
Analysis: “Trump’s diplomatic gambit in the Middle East at one month.” Brian Katulis, Middle East Institute, February 19, 2025.
Podcast: “Why did we fail to broadcast the Saudi League? With Fahad Al-Ahmed.” Socrate, February 15, 2025. Arabic. [English Subtitle].
Analysis: “Oman’s Bid to Attract Investment.” Robert Mason, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, February 4, 2025.
Analysis: “Normalization and Displacement: Saudi Arabia and Trump’s Gaza Proposal.” Arab Center Washington DC, February 20, 2025.
Podcast: “Saudi-Canadian Relations with Ambassador Jean Philippe Linteau” The Majlis, February 16, 2025.
Analysis: “The Trump Effect: The Potential Impact of the U.S. President on the Saudi Economy.” Tim Callen, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, February 5, 2025.
Podcast: “Vice Minister of Municipalities and Housing - H.E Ihab Hashani.” Mo Show, February 9, 2025.
Analysis: “Discovering New Gold: Culture and the Future of Saudi-U.S. Relations.” Hatem Alzahrani, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, February 19, 2025.