Gulf Nashra Weekly Digest
Gulf Authors Debate Hezbollah's Fate; Saudi PIF Bans Major Consultancy Firm, and Controversy Over a Saudi Ramadan TV Show.
Media Coverage
“Exclusive: US sanctions hold up Qatari support for Syria, sources say.” Reuters February 27, 2025.
“While the previous U.S. administration issued a sanctions exemption on January 6 to allow transactions with Syria's governing institutions for six months, Qatar does not see this as enough to cover payments it would need to make via the central bank to finance the salary increase, the sources said.”
Go Deeper: “Syria Transition: Nothing Left to Lose and Everything to Gain.” Arab Center for Research & Policy Studies, December 12, 2024. [PDF].
“Saudi Arabia Welcomes Ocalan’s Call to Dissolve PKK.” Asharq Al-Awsat، March 01, 2025.
“Ocalan’s historic declaration, made on Thursday in Istanbul, urged all armed groups to disarm and called for the complete dissolution of the PKK, marking a potential turning point in the long-running conflict.”
Go Deeper: “Looking Beyond the Mountains: Saudi-Iranian Interests in Iraqi Kurdistan.” Joshua Levkowitz, The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, July 07, 2025.
"7.5 billion riyals trade balance surplus for the Sultanate of Oman during 2024.” Oman, February 21, 2025.
“The total volume of commodity exports and re-export activities rose to 24.2 billion Omani riyals in 2024, reflecting a growth rate of 6.8% compared to 2023. Meanwhile, imports amounted to 16.7 billion Omani riyals, marking a 12.1% increase compared to 2023..”
“The rise in commodity exports was primarily driven by a significant increase of 18.4% in oil and gas exports, which grew from 13.8 billion Omani riyals in 2023 to 16.3 billion Omani riyals by the end of 2024.”
Go Deeper: “Analysis of Oman’s State Budget 2025." KPMG, January 2025.
“Saudi Arabia says Israel seeking to ‘destabilize’ Syria with airstrikes.” Al Arabiya, February 25, 2025.
“The Kingdom’s foreign ministry issued a statement on X saying that Israel was attempting “to destabilize [Syria’s] security and stability in repeated violations to the international agreements and laws.”
Go Deeper: “Don't Ruin Syria's Day After” Marc Lunch, Substack, February 28, 2025.
“Abu Dhabi financial centre posts 32% rise in annual company registrations” Reuters, February 27, 20251.
“Assets under management jumped over three-fold in 2024, ADGM said in a statement, adding that a total of 134 asset and fund managers managing 166 funds operated there as of the end of last year.”
Go Deeper: “Local Agency Is Shaping China’s Digital Footprint in the Gulf.” Carnegie, January 6, 2025.
"Saudi liberalization clashes with Al-Azhar's restrictions on depicting the Prophet’s Companions.. and the 'Muawiya' series stirs controversy." Arabi 21, February 25, 2025
“"[T]he depiction of senior companions in the production, including the three Rashidun Caliphs—Umar, Uthman, and Ali—as well as Muawiyah... contradicts the long-standing stance of Al-Azhar in Egypt, which has historically prohibited the portrayal of major companions in Egyptian and Arab cinema and drama. It also goes against the previous position of Saudi scholars before the wave of liberalization led by the General Entertainment Authority in recent years."
Go Deeper: “Mu'awiya's Rule & the Umayyad Caliphate.” History of Islam.
Bahrain: "Economic Development: Attracting Projects from Singapore Expected to Invest $380 Million.” Al Watan, February 25, 2025.
“The year 2024 was a record year for the Economic Development Board, which succeeded in attracting over $1.8 billion in direct investments from various global markets. Singaporean investments in Bahrain were the highest, accounting for 13% of the total, with a value of $234 million.”
Go Deeper: “Bahrain Report by MPO” October, 2024. [PDF]
“Qatar attracts six venture capital firms to set up regional hubs.” Reuters, February 23, 2025.
“Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Sunday that six venture capital firms the investment authority has invested in as part of its "fund of funds" programme will open offices or regional headquarters in Qatar.”
Go Deeper: “The GCC between competition and coordination amid regional instability.” Clingendael, January, 2025. [PDF].
“Saudi Arabia's PIF bans PwC advisory, consulting services: What to know.” Al-Monitor, February 27, 2025.
“Executives at the Public Investment Fund, which has more than 100 subsidiaries, have been told to stop granting consulting projects to PwC until February 2026, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The sources said PwC’s auditing projects would not be affected. The reason behind the decision is unclear.”
Go Deeper: “The Truth About Consultancy Companies in the Gulf”, Socrates Podcast, interview with Riyadh Alnajjar, the chairman of PwC Middle East, December 25, 2023. Arabic with English subtitle.
“Qatar signs deal with Scale AI to use AI to boost government services.” Reuters, February 24, 2025.
“The deal will allow Qatar's government to adopt tools such as predictive analytics, automation and advanced data analysis in an effort to streamline operations, said a statement by Qatar's communications and information technology ministry.
“Scale AI will develop more than 50 possible uses of artificial intelligence (AI) for Qatar's government over the next five years, the statement added.”
Go Deeper: “The Role of the Middle East in the US-China Race to AI Supremacy.” Middle East Institute, November 19, 2024.
“Saudi: Kingdom Leads in Venture Investment with 40%.” Al-Madina, February 24, 2025.
“Data from the MAGNiTT platform, which specializes in monitoring startup data in the Middle East and North Africa, shows that venture investments in Saudi Arabia amounted to about $750 million in 2024.”
“The report indicates that venture investment declined by about 44% from 2023, due to a significant decrease in the number and value of major deals, those exceeding $100 million.”
Go Deeper: “FY2024 Saudi Arabia Venture Capital Report” MAGNiTT, January, 2025.
“Egypt, Kuwait to announce major investment projects soon: Madbouly.” ZAWYA, February 27, 2025.
“Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that Egypt and Kuwait will soon reveal new joint economic and investment projects, following high-level discussions with Kuwaiti leaders, as per a statement.”
Go Deeper: “How the Gulf Uses Aid as Political Leverage.” Control Risks, April 18, 2025.
Gulf Opinions
Gulf commentators have focused on Lebanon’s Hezbollah as it bids farewell to its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed, a well-known Saudi commentator, raised several questions regarding the future of Hezbollah, as well as the fate of its weapons and resistance. He argued that this funeral marks the party’s demise, stating, “the funeral and burial of Hassan Nasrallah yesterday were nothing but a funeral for Hezbollah itself.” Hassan Al-Mustafa, also from Saudi Arabia, asserted that Hezbollah supporters, through their significant participation in the funeral of Nasrallah and Safieddine, sought to demonstrate their continued loyalty to the principle of resistance, despite the party’s diminishing capability to engage in conflict with Israel. Al-Mustafa remains optimistic about the role of the new Lebanese government and the prospects for Lebanon’s reconstruction—albeit without Hezbollah. Othman Al-Majed, a Bahraini commentator, emphasized that Hezbollah orchestrated this “unprecedented,” large-scale funeral for a party leader in an effort to convince its supporters that Nasrallah remains a formidable figure in Lebanese political life, however, he asserted that this significance is merely “symbolic.” Sawsan Al-Shaer, also from Bahrain, underscored the threat posed by Hezbollah not only in Lebanon but also in the Gulf region. She highlighted the presence of Bahraini nationals who remain loyal to Hezbollah, despite its designation as a terrorist organization. Conversely, Khamis Al-Qtaiti of Oman attributed responsibility to Arab leaders, arguing that “the absence of an Arab project and the lack of coordinated Arab action” have led to various undesirable consequences, further “burdening the nation-state” with crises. Finally, Kuwaiti commentator Abdullah Al-Shayji, writing for Qatar’s Al-Sharq, stressed the need for “a Gulf project that balances, deters, and protects.” He contended that such an initiative would bolster efforts to activate the Arab Peace Initiative, support international endeavors to achieve a just resolution to the Palestinian issue, strengthen internal capabilities, deepen regional and international partnerships, and combat terrorism and extremism.
More Gulf Opinions
On Hezbollah
“One of the most prominent campaigns of falsehoods at the moment, following the losses of the "adventure" axis and the Assad regime, is the claim that Lebanon is now under American guardianship. This is a lie. In reality, Lebanon was under Iranian guardianship, and it is now attempting to integrate into the international community, which is governed by systems and laws.”
Tariq Alhomayed, Asharq Al-Awsat, (Saudi Arabia), February 23, 2025.
“Iran has been defeated, and Hezbollah has been broken by superior military power on two fronts, along with the fall of the Assad regime. If we are to believe that Hezbollah has turned to the Lebanese state, then to whom will Iran turn?”
Radwan Al Sayed, Asharq Al-Awsat, (Saudi Arabia), February 28, 2025.
“Southern Suburb hypocrite Hassan Nasrallah will appear for the first time on the surface of the earth amidst the ruins of destruction caused by the terrorist militia #Hezbollah in #Lebanon. An appearance that comes after two decades spent in burrows and tunnels underground, only for the rat to return to its place beneath the feet.”
Sultan Saeed, X, (Oman), February 23, 2025.
“After 4 months of his killing..The funeral procession of the deceased terrorist Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has begun. Nasrallah remained hidden in sewers and tunnels for years, and when his role ended, he was crushed in his hole, and his followers could not retrieve his body until two days later.”
Jihad Alobaid, X, (Saudi Arabia), February 23, 2025.
Other Topics
“The launch of the Saudi Riyal symbol during the reign of King Salman strengthens the Kingdom’s economic position and continues efforts toward achieving the goals of Vision 2030. This reflects the Kingdom’s growing integration into the global financial system as a bridge for international trade.”
Resin Alresin, Al Jazirah, (Saudi Arabia), February 26, 2025.
“Prices are likely to stabilize at a level lower than current rates as supply risks fade in the coming period. U.S.-Russian negotiations are still ongoing and may lead to a settlement and an easing of sanctions on Russian oil exports, which would put downward pressure on oil prices.”
Fahad bin Juma, Al Riyadh, (Saudi Arabia), February 25, 2025.
“However, since 2024, the price of gold has risen to around $2,900 per ounce (a 45% increase), indicating that there is more than just the traditional hedging strategy followed by investors through shifting to safe-haven assets. Typically, gold prices move inversely with government bond yields.”
Fahad bin Abdulalrahman, Al-Sharq, (Qatar), February 24, 2025.
“But if debt is used only to cover the fiscal deficit and finance current expenditure, it will only lead to the accumulation of debt without achieving any economic growth.”
Saud Al Thaqib, Aljarida, (Kuwait), February 25, 2025.
“In a bold and historic step, the Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan calls on all armed Kurdish groups to lay down their weapons and confirms that the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which he founded, must dissolve itself. This is an era of peace and political action, not a time for armed military struggle that has brought tragedies to the countries and peoples of the region.”
Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, X, (UAE), February 27, 2025.
“His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al-Faisal speaks about integrating Yemen into a Gulf or Peninsula union framework after stabilizing its current situation.”
Ahmed Alfifi, X, (Saudi Arabia), February 26, 2025.
Gulf Nashra Picks
Book: Zhang, Chuchu. “China’s Changing Role in the Middle East: Filling a Power Vacuum?” Routledge, March 4, 2025.
Essay: Doaiji, Nora. “How a Saudi Atheist Became a Killer” Newlines Magazine, February 26, 2025. [Arabic, Alpheratz Magazine]
Issue Brief: “Lost in the Mix: The EU and the Complexities of an Evolving GCC-ASIA Relationship.” February 16, 2025. [PDF].
Interview: “Gregg Fray discusses his Journey from The National to PR in the GCC.” MJP Podcast, February 13, 2025. [English].
Analysis: “Can Gulf States Help End the War in Sudan?” Anna Jacobs, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, February 26, 2025.
Podcast: “What is the UAE's philosophy in building its economy?” Arab Cast podcast, February 25, 2025. [Arabic with English Subtitle]. Interview with UAE Minister of Economy.
Analysis: “Economy Middle East: The GCC’s Digital Leap is Setting the Bar for Smarter Immigration.” Haider Hussain, Fragomen, February 25, 2025.
Podcast: "National manufacturing.. How will it change the future of industry?" Mics Podcast, February 26, 2025. [Arabic with English Subtitle]. Interview with Fawaz Al Fawaz, the CEO of TASNEE.
Analysis: "EU-GCC Relations in 2025: Will Actions Speak Louder Than Words?" Bader Al-Saif, Arab Reform Initiative, February 27, 2025.
Analysis: “What’s Behind the Arab Alternative to Trump's Gaza Proposal.” Hussein Ibish, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, February 21, 2025.