Essential GCC Business Research Insights in 2026

Israel reacted with alarm to both the U.S. choice to raise sanctions on Syria and President Trump's meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa. Given that the fall of the Assad program in December 2024, Israel has actually been cautious of the previous jihadist now in control in Damascus.

It has also deployed soldiers in southern Syria, occupying an increasing location beyond the demilitarized zone separating the 2 countries. Moving forward, Israel will remain wary of the Sharaa federal government and will likely continue to use military pressure on Syria, consisting of a broadened profession of southern Syria and occasional air strikes.

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

For MBS, the U.S. choice stood as an essential triumph emerging from Trump's journey. Moving forward, Saudi Arabia will likely motivate the United States to continue along its path towards normalization with Syria. It might promote the repeal of the Caesar sanctions, which should be carried out by Congress. Riyadh may also push the United States to rein in Israel, ought to it continue with aggressive military action in Syria.

Leading Organizational Excellence for the 2026 Economy

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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

On the contrary, as the international outcry worldwide ProtestVersus 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, even more by boosted prospect of continued U.S. support.

Riyadh right away turned down Trump's proposal and reiterated its refusal to normalize relations with Israel in the lack of significant progress toward the development of a Palestinian state. The kingdom has actually also highly slammed Israel for the lack of adequate help streaming into Gaza. Following the August 22 starvation statement, 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 pressing for a two-state service 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.

Middle East Business Outlook and Strategic Realities

Its engagement in the Middle East is forming the shapes of the emerging local orderwhether by default or design. Specifically, its choices on Iran, Syria, and Gaza all touch on core obstacles in the area and hold the possible to move each in a favorable direction. Peril and deepening dispute 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 family offices from the Gulf Cooperation Council ("") are investing billions across Latin America's energy, farming, fintech, and facilities sectors. Trade between Mexico and GCC states increased more than 33% in between 2021 and 2022, while non-oil trade with the UAE has actually nearly folded the past years.

3 Company sentiment reflects this momentum64% of Latin American executives prepare to broaden engagement with the Gulf, especially in agriculture, renewable resource, and digital services. 4 Underscoring this momentum, Saudi Arabia just recently opened its very first Chamber of Commerce workplace in Miami, additional indicating the growing links between Gulf capital and the Americas.