Connecting Strategy and Operational Excellence in the Gulf

Israel reacted with alarm to both the U.S. choice to lift sanctions on Syria and President Trump's conference with Ahmed al-Sharaa. Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly asked President Trump not to lift Syria sanctions in advance of Trump's journey to the region. Given that the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Israel has been cautious of the former jihadist now in control in Damascus.

It has likewise deployed soldiers in southern Syria, occupying an increasing area beyond the demilitarized zone separating the two countries. Moving forward, Israel will stay cautious of the Sharaa federal government and will likely continue to use military pressure on Syria, consisting of an expanded profession of southern Syria and periodic air campaign.

Israel's openness to the Trump administration's efforts to broker a nonaggression pact between Israel and Syria stays an open question. Since the fall of Assad in December 2024, Saudi Arabia has lobbied hard for the United States to lift Syria sanctions, mentioning them as a key obstacle to the nation's restoration.

For MBS, the U.S. choice stood as an essential triumph emerging from Trump's trip. Going forward, Saudi Arabia will likely encourage the United States to continue along its path toward normalization with Syria. It might promote the repeal of the Caesar sanctions, which must be undertaken by Congress. Riyadh might likewise press the United States to control Israel, should it continue with aggressive military action in Syria.

Local Versus Global Strategy in the GCC Region

, with no tip of a shift in policy. Going forward, Netanyahu can be expected to continue along the same trajectory in Gaza, especially considering that a dramatic shift in U.S.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

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 most likely its position further, even more by strengthened prospect of continued U.S. support.

Riyadh immediately rejected Trump's proposal and repeated its rejection to stabilize relations with Israel in the lack of substantial development towards the development of a Palestinian state. The kingdom has also strongly criticized Israel for the lack of adequate aid flowing into Gaza. Following the August 22 famine declaration, Saudi Arabia, while not calling out the United States, faulted the Israeli occupation as the cause of the "humanitarian disaster" in Gaza.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Its leading role 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 pressure Israel to relent on these demands, holding out on any development towards normalization with Israel in the lack of motion on these concerns.

Key Advantages for Strategic Efficiency in 2026

Its engagement in the Middle East is shaping the contours of the emerging local orderwhether by default or design. Particularly, its choices on Iran, Syria, and Gaza all touch on core challenges in the region and hold the possible to move each in a favorable instructions. Danger and deepening conflict stand on the flip side of each chance.

As global trade patterns straighten, a new investment corridor is taking shape, linking capital from the Gulf to Latin America. Sovereign wealth funds, corporations, 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 rose more than 33% between 2021 and 2022, while non-oil trade with the UAE has actually almost folded the previous years.

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