GCC Relations

Analysis

Gulf’s citizenship industry poised for growth amid new global uncertainty

Flexible visa programs have emerged in the Middle East, fueled by wealthy Gulf states competing to attract foreign investors and skilled professionals as part of their economic diversification strategies.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

UAE Middle East's most economically competitive country in 2024: IMD

In the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, the UAE climbed three places to seventh in the world, out of 67 countries. Saudi Arabia ranked at 16th, Bahrain at 21st, Kuwait at 37th, Jordan at 48th and Turkey at 53rd.

United Arab Emirates

Gulf states reach out to new Syrian leaders ahead of Jordan talks: What we know

Bahrain's King Hamad sent a letter to HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, while the UAE has held direct contact with opposition groups. Qatar is set to reopen embassy in Damascus soon.

Syria

Qatar to reopen embassy in Syria after 13 years

Doha is looking to engage with the Islamist-led government in Syria after severing relations 13 years ago over deposed President Bashar al-Assad's brutal crackdown.

Syria

Qatar says ‘renewed interest’ in Gaza talks, wants unified Arab stance on Syria

Doha, which had earlier suspended mediation efforts, says it supports a viable Palestinian governance model and is formulating a pan-Arab position on Syria that encompasses diverging Gulf views.

Qatar

Bahrain announces UK inclusion in key security pact with US

Bahrain signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement with the Biden administration in September 2023; Manama plans to turn it into a multilateral agreement with more members amid regional threats.

Bahrain

China embraces debt listings to tap into Gulf’s pool of wealth

As UAE stock markets hit $1 trillion in market capitalization for the first time last week, an increasing number of Chinese entities are choosing to list some of their debt on Gulf capital markets.

By Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Analysis

Saudi Arabia to pursue two-track approach for Trump presidency

Riyadh is likely to compartmentalize business dealings with incoming President Donald Trump separately from its foreign policy engagements, where there is likely to be disagreement.

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

After UAE visit, Qatari PM holds talks in Iran as Hamas officials depart Doha

A Gulf political official told Al-Monitor on Wednesday that the Qatari prime minister's visit to the UAE is designed to communicate Doha's new policy toward Hamas, where it seeks to be more in alignment with them regarding the group.

Qatar

Interview

EU escorted over 200 ships in Red Sea amid Gulf maritime threats, envoy says

The Gulf states are supporting the EU's Operation Aspides to counter the Houthi threat in the Red Sea region, as both seek greater cooperation on maritime security, said Luigi di Maio.

Luigi di Maio

EU Special Representative for the Gulf

Even with MBS absent, Saudi Arabia and UAE poised to make deals at G20

Gulf states will look for agreements and trade deals with partners from South America and elsewhere ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in January.

United States

From golf to the Gulf: Who is Trump’s new Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff?

Trump's long-time friend will face a tough job in trying to quell a regional war that has been raging since Oct. 7, 2023, between Israel, Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

United States