The Gulf Nashra Weekly Digest
The UAE Launches a New Vision to Empower Emirati Women for Next 50 Years; Qatar and Saudi Invest in a Lebanon Without Hezbollah Arms; and Kuwait Shuts Down a Newspaper Critical of the Government.
Media Coverage
Geopolitics
“US envoy: Saudi Arabia, Qatar to invest in Lebanon economic zone for disarmed Hezbollah.” AP News, August 26, 2025.
“We have to have money coming into the system. The money will come from the Gulf,” Barrack told reporters after meeting President Joseph Aoun. “Qatar and Saudi Arabia are partners and are willing to do that for the south (of Lebanon) if we’re asking a portion of the Lebanese community to give up their livelihood.”
Go Deeper: “Saudi Arabia and Lebanon: A Love-Hate Relationship.” The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, September 12, 2023.
“Sisi meets UAE leader in Egypt’s coastal city of Alamein.” Arab News, August 26, 2025.
“Sheikh Mohamed was received upon his arrival at El Alamein International Airport by his counterpart Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.”
Go Deeper: “A Partnership of Paradoxes: Analysing the Latent Potential in Egypt-UAE Trade.” Samriddhi Vij, Ahmed Dawoud, and Ahmed Habashy, ORF Middle East, August 12, 2025.
Market & Economy
“Qatari Sheikh pledges to invest $102B in Africa.” SEMAFOR, August 29, 2025.
“His latest stop [Sheikh Mansour] in Mozambique produced a $20 billion pledge, pushing total promised investments across six countries to $102 billion — about half of Qatar’s GDP, or one-fifth of its sovereign wealth fund’s assets.”
Go Deeper: “Qatar’s Sheikh Mansour jets into Zim...unveils US$19bn investment package.” Business Times, August 24, 2025.
“Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports rise 17.8% in Q2 2025.” Gulf Business, August 28, 2025.
“The ratio of non-oil exports, including re-exports, to imports rose to 37.3 per cent in the second quarter from 35.8 per cent in the same quarter of 2024..”
“This was driven by the 17.8 per cent growth in non-oil exports, which outpaced a 13.1 per cent increase in imports during the period.”
Go Deeper: “Saudi Economic Outlook Amid Regional Conflict.” Tim Callen, Arab Gulf States Institute, June 20, 2025.
“Dubai launches $1-million global AI film award, Dh50-million initiative for influencers.” Khaleej Times, August 27, 2025.
“A $1-million award for films generated by artificial intelligence, the largest and first of its kind, was announced by Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, on Wednesday. He also unveiled a Dh50-million Influencers Accelerator Programme designed to support creators and accelerate their global growth during the preparatory meetings for the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026 at Creator HQ in Dubai.”
Go Deeper: “The United Arab Emirates’ AI Ambitions.” CSIS, January 24, 2025.
“Saudi brands to push $30bn franchise sector at Moscow expo.” Arab News, August 27, 2025.
“Saudi Arabia’s franchising sector is the largest in the Middle East, with more than 1,000 local and international brands. It is expanding about 15 percent annually and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, making it a key pillar of the Kingdom’s non-oil diversification strategy.”
Go Deeper: “Saudi’s view of Russia, cooperation opportunities and prospects.” Samyar Rostami, New Eastern Outlook, June 29, 2025.
“Pakistan to ask Qatar to defer LNG deliveries on weak demand.” Arab News, August 26, 2025.
“Government officials are in Qatar this week to request a delay for delivery of two LNG shipments per month in 2026, Bloomberg reported, adding that the deliveries would be rescheduled to after 2031. It cited people familiar with the matter.”
Go Deeper: “Strategic Risks and Opportunities in Pakistan's LNG Supply Chain Amid Contract Renegotiations.” AInvest, August 25, 2025.
“Oman joins Gulf’s golden visa push to attract foreign capital.” SEMAFOR, August 25, 2025.
“Oman is the latest Gulf nation to roll out a golden visa in the race to attract foreign capital and diversify its economy. The initiative offers five- and 10-year visas to investors who put significant money into real estate, commercial investment, or long-term bank deposits — at least 250,000 Omani rials ($650,000), with more details expected to be announced on Aug. 31.”
Go Deeper: “Oman to launch golden visa scheme for investors.” The National, August 24, 2025.
Domestic Issues
“The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka celebrates 2 million visitors.” Zawya, August 28, 2025.
“The Pavilion has welcomed over two million visitors since opening on April 13, hosting 1,546 VIP delegates and conducting over 2,400 events. On June 17, 2025 the Pavilion recorded its highest visitation of 24,142 visitors in a single day. With over 18,000 guests dining at the Irth Restaurant and 120,000 cups of coffee served at the Irth Café, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion continues to be a crowd favorite for visitors at Expo 2025 Osaka.”
Go Deeper: “Inside the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025: Stories Rooted in Connection.” SeGD, August 6, 2025.
“Kuwait shuts down a newspaper critical of the government.” SEMAFOR, August 25, 2025.
“Kuwait revoked the licenses of Al-Sabah newspaper and its affiliated TV station after stripping owner Barakat Hudaiban Al Rashidi of citizenship.”
Go Deeper: “'Stateless overnight': Kuwait strips tens of thousands of citizenships.” The Economic Times, May 25, 2025.
Gulf Opinions
This week, Emirati commentators highlighted the launch of the “Mother of the Nation 50:50 Vision” which seeks to empower Emirati women for the next 50 years and coincides with the celebration of Emirati Women’s Day. Dr. Hamda Al Hashemi emphasized that the UAE’s commitment to women’s empowerment is not new. Since the establishment of the General Women’s Union in 1975, Emirati authorities have advanced a wide range of policies and initiatives to strengthen women’s roles in both society and the professional sphere. Under this year’s theme, “Hand in Hand We Celebrate the Fiftieth” she added, Emirati women are celebrated for their contributions to preserving “heritage, fostering national identity, and shaping the country’s future through cultural leadership, education, and creativity”. Building on this, Latifa Al Hammadi noted that Emirati women have also achieved remarkable success in the technology sector. She pointed to Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Education and former Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency as a role model whose leadership in major scientific projects has advanced the use of artificial intelligence in data collection and analysis. Similarly, Dr. Aisha bint Bishr distinguished herself by spearheading Dubai’s transformation into a global smart city, driving strategic initiatives that applied AI and big data to improve quality of life. Dr. Hanan Al Darmaki further contributed through her academic and research work, developing intelligent solutions for society and advancing pioneering studies in machine learning and data processing. In the medical field, Dr. Farida Al Hosani reflected on her own experience, noting that Emirati women in healthcare faced significant challenges, particularly in proving themselves in what was once “a male-dominated” environment. They also navigated cultural differences, as many colleagues came from backgrounds unfamiliar with the unique responsibilities Emirati women shoulder beyond the workplace. Despite these obstacles, Emirati women today hold “leadership positions” in healthcare, shaping national health policies, contributing to global research, and driving innovation in medical practice. They work with distinction in critical fields such as emergency care and complex medical specialties, all while balancing family and social obligations. Culturally and artistically, Emirati women have also made a strong mark. Dr. Badiaa Al Hashemi highlighted their growing presence in literature, particularly since the establishment of the first association of female Emirati writers in 1990, which paved the way for broader participation in the cultural sector. Finally, Dr. Shaikah Nasir stressed that Emirati Women’s Day should not be seen merely as a symbolic celebration. Instead, it represents a moment of pride, recognition, and reflection—an opportunity to acknowledge how far Emirati women have come and to envision the greater roles they will continue to play in shaping the nation’s future.
More Gulf Opinions
“Entrepreneurs in Riyadh enjoy vast opportunities through both local and global platforms. This affirms Riyadh’s role as a global technology hub that fosters an innovative environment and provides a solid infrastructure for tech companies operating in e-commerce. Through initiatives such as Digital City, along with technology clusters, numerous stimulating events and conferences are held. Among them is the Saudi International Digital Marketing and E-Commerce Exhibition (SIDMC), which will take place at King Saud University in September 2025, serving as a gateway for innovation and the strengthening of international partnerships in the sector.”
Al Hanouf bint Hassaan, Al Riyadh, (Saudi Arabia), Aug 29, 2025.
“#Turkey cuts its economic ties with #Israel. A belated step, but it gains importance if it stabilizes as a transformation, not as a passing maneuver.”
Dawood Al Shirian, X, (Saudi Arabia), Aug 29, 2025.
“This is the truth [US Envoy Tom Barrack: There is no alternative plan for Syria. We must support the legitimate president and his team]. And the rest is nonsense.”
Tariq Alhomayed, X, (Saudi Arabia), Aug 28, 2025.
“It can be said that Israel’s current moves in the city of As-Suwayda stem from its broader strategic objective in the region, linked to what it calls the ‘New Middle East’ and its expansionist project known as the ‘David Corridor,’ which in turn lays the foundation for the idea of Greater Israel. This corridor represents a land route starting from the occupied Golan Heights, passing through southern Syrian territories such as As-Suwayda, Daraa, and Quneitra, then extending into Iraq and Jordan, and reaching the Kurdistan region of Iraq. In doing so, it connects the areas occupied by Israel in a way that enables it to extend its political and economic influence across the Arab region.”
Reem Al Sameai, Al Sharq, (Qatar), Aug 28, 2025.
“What is happening is a profound penetration into the social and demographic structure of these states, which has produced a large influx of expatriate cadres on whom these countries now rely. The influence of this workforce is growing day by day in key sectors of the Gulf states, often at the expense of the citizen, particularly in the economic sphere.”
Rashid bin Humaid Al Rashidi, Al Roya, (Oman), Aug 27, 2025.
“In both countries [Syria and Lebanon], it has become clear that the youth are the true asset for change. They are the ones who rejected being dragged into sectarianism and division, and instead began to speak the language of citizenship, social justice, and productive work. In universities, workshops, and even in the diaspora, one finds young minds working to innovate solutions rather than merely repeat complaints.
Dr. Khalid Alsaleh, Al Rai, (Kuwait), Aug 27, 2025.
“The new tariffs may prompt some exporters to consider relocating their production operations to the United States, which is, in fact, one of the objectives of these tariffs—namely, to attract more investment and production into the U.S. in order to create more businesses and jobs for the American economy. Undoubtedly, such a goal may be achievable; however, it will not be as easy or straightforward as it may seem. The attempt to shift production of goods and commodities to within the U.S. will still require importing at least some raw materials and intermediate goods from abroad, and the tariffs imposed on these imports will inevitably be reflected in the final price of the product.”
Dr. Jassim Al Mannai, Al Bilad, (Bahrain), Aug 22, 2025.
Picks
Book: Mogielnicki, Robert, “A Political Economy of Sovereign Wealth Funds in the Middle East and Asia.” Springer Nature, May 28, 2025.
Analysis: “Strategic GCC-EU Partnership: Opportunities and Challenges in a Complex Geopolitical Landscape.” Emirates Policy Center, August 22, 2025.
Analysis: “In an Uncertain Era, Bahrain Hedges Its Bets.” Courtney Freer, Gulf International Forum, August 19, 2025.
Analysis: “Russia Eyes Oman as a Gateway to the Region.” Emil Avdaliani, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, August 15, 2025.
Analysis: “Saudi Arabia’s Response to Israel’s New Security Doctrine in the Levant.” Arab Center in Washington, August 14, 2025.
Analysis: “Saudi Public Opinion in a Changing Middle East: Great Powers, the Gaza War, Pathways for the Kingdom.” Catherine Cleveland, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, August 13, 2025. [PDF].
Analysis: “Gulf Arabs fear Israel is becoming Goliath.” Mohammed Baharoon, Alex Vatanka, Middle East Institute, August 12, 2025.
Analysis: “Saudi Campaign for Palestinian State Recognition.” Kristin Smith Diwan, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, August 11, 2025.
Research: “The Immediate Context Of The Saudi Arabia-Iran Deal: Strategic Postures And Geopolitical Catalysts.” Mansour Almarzoqi, Algerian scientific journals, August 14, 2025.
Research: “Narratives of Sino-Middle Eastern Futures.” Mohammed Alsudairi and Andrea Ghiselli, Cambridge University Press, August 8, 2025.
Podcast: “Why the Gulf Advanced While Yemen Fell Behind.” Diaa Al-Saeedi, Finjan Podcast, August 13, 2025. [Arabic].
Podcast: “Saudi Is About to Change the World in AI.” Interview with Tareq Amin, CEO of HUMAIN, The Mo Show Podcast, July 23, 2025. [English].