GCC Economic News and Growth Planning

Israel responded with alarm to both the U.S. choice to raise sanctions on Syria and President Trump's conference with Ahmed al-Sharaa. Prime Minister Netanyahu apparently asked President Trump not to lift Syria sanctions in advance of Trump's journey to the area. Because the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Israel has been cautious of the previous jihadist now in control in Damascus.

It has likewise deployed soldiers in southern Syria, occupying an increasing location beyond the demilitarized zone separating the 2 nations. Moving forward, Israel will stay wary of the Sharaa government and will likely continue to apply military pressure on Syria, consisting of a broadened occupation of southern Syria and periodic air campaign.

Yet, Israel's openness to the Trump administration's efforts to broker a nonaggression pact in between Israel and Syria stays an open question. Rather, Syria might become a locus of regional power competitors between Israel and Turkey as both look for to exert their influence over Syria's trajectory. Because the fall of Assad in December 2024, Saudi Arabia has actually lobbied hard for the United States to raise Syria sanctions, mentioning them as a key barrier to the country's restoration.

For MBS, the U.S. decision stood as an important success emerging from Trump's journey. Moving forward, Saudi Arabia will likely motivate the United States to continue along its course toward normalization with Syria. It might push for the repeal of the Caesar sanctions, which need to be carried out by Congress. Riyadh might likewise press the United States to check Israel, ought to it continue with aggressive military action in Syria.

Key Advantages for Operational Efficiency in 2026

, with no hint of a shift in policy. Going forward, Netanyahu can be expected to continue along the exact same trajectory in Gaza, especially because a significant shift in U.S.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

On the contrary, as the international outcry worldwide Protest's actions in Gaza grows and with an increasing number of U.S. allies moving to declare a Palestinian state, Israel is likely to most likely its position further, bolstered by strengthened prospect of continued U.S. support.

Trump's proposal and reiterated its rejection to normalize relations with Israel in the lack of considerable progress towards the production of a Palestinian state. The kingdom has also highly criticized Israel for the absence of sufficient help streaming into Gaza.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Its leading role in promoting a two-state service at the 80th UN General Assembly stands as its most prominent effort in this regard. The kingdom will likely continue its behind-the-scenes lobbying of the United States to push Israel to relent on these needs, holding out on any progress towards normalization with Israel in the lack of motion on these problems.

Bridging Policy With Operational Performance in the Middle East

Its engagement in the Middle East is shaping the contours of the emerging local orderwhether by default or style. Specifically, its choices on Iran, Syria, and Gaza all discuss core challenges in the area and hold the possible to move each in a favorable direction. Yet, danger and deepening conflict base on the flip side of each chance.

As global trade patterns straighten, a new investment passage is taking shape, linking capital from the Gulf to Latin America. Sovereign wealth funds, conglomerates, and family workplaces from the Gulf Cooperation Council ("") are investing billions across Latin America's energy, farming, fintech, and facilities sectors. Trade in between Mexico and GCC states increased more than 33% between 2021 and 2022, while non-oil trade with the UAE has almost folded the previous years.

3 Organization belief shows this momentum64% of Latin American executives plan to expand engagement with the Gulf, particularly in agriculture, renewable resource, and digital services. 4 Underscoring this momentum, Saudi Arabia recently opened its first Chamber of Commerce office in Miami, further signifying the growing links between Gulf capital and the Americas.