Essential GCC Market Analysis Insights for 2026

Israel responded with alarm to both the U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Syria and President Trump's meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa. Prime Minister Netanyahu apparently asked President Trump not to lift Syria sanctions in advance of Trump's journey to the region. Given that the fall of the Assad routine in December 2024, Israel has been wary of the previous jihadist now in control in Damascus.

It has actually also released soldiers in southern Syria, occupying an increasing location beyond the demilitarized zone separating the two nations. Going forward, Israel will remain cautious of the Sharaa government and will likely continue to apply military pressure on Syria, consisting of an expanded 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 concern. Rather, Syria might become a locus of regional power competition in between Israel and Turkey as both look for to apply their impact over Syria's trajectory. Because the fall of Assad in December 2024, Saudi Arabia has lobbied hard for the United States to raise Syria sanctions, mentioning them as a key barrier to the nation's restoration.

For MBS, the U.S. choice stood as an essential success emerging from Trump's journey. Going forward, Saudi Arabia will likely encourage the United States to continue along its course towards normalization with Syria.

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

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On the contrary, as the international outcry worldwide IsraelVersus actions in Gaza grows and with an increasing number of U.S. allies moving to declare a State state, Israel is likely to entrench its position further, even more by the prospect of possibility U.S. ongoing.

Riyadh right away declined Trump's proposal and reiterated its rejection to stabilize relations with Israel in the lack of significant progress towards the creation of a Palestinian state. The kingdom has also strongly slammed Israel for the absence of appropriate help flowing into Gaza. Following the August 22 starvation statement, Saudi Arabia, while not calling out the United States, faulted the Israeli profession as the cause of the "humanitarian disaster" in Gaza.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Its leading function in promoting a two-state solution at the 80th UN General Assembly stands as its most popular 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 demands, holding out on any progress toward normalization with Israel in the lack of motion on these problems.

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Its engagement in the Middle East is forming the contours of the emerging regional orderwhether by default or design. Specifically, its choices on Iran, Syria, and Gaza all discuss core obstacles in the region and hold the potential to move each in a favorable direction. Hazard and deepening conflict stand on the flip side of each chance.

As worldwide trade patterns realign, a brand-new investment passage is taking shape, linking capital from the Gulf to Latin America. Sovereign wealth funds, conglomerates, and household offices from the Gulf Cooperation Council ("") are investing billions across Latin America's energy, farming, fintech, and infrastructure sectors. Trade in between Mexico and GCC states increased more than 33% between 2021 and 2022, while non-oil trade with the UAE has nearly doubled over the previous years.

3 Company belief shows this momentum64% of Latin American executives prepare to broaden engagement with the Gulf, especially in farming, eco-friendly energy, and digital services. 4 Highlighting this momentum, Saudi Arabia recently opened its first Chamber of Commerce workplace in Miami, additional indicating the growing links between Gulf capital and the Americas.