Connecting Strategy and Business Performance Across the Middle East

Israel reacted with alarm to both the U.S. decision to raise sanctions on Syria and President Trump's meeting 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. Since the fall of the Assad routine in December 2024, Israel has actually been careful of the former jihadist now in control in Damascus.

It has also released troops in southern Syria, occupying an increasing location beyond the demilitarized zone separating the two countries. Going forward, Israel will remain careful of the Sharaa government and will likely continue to use 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 between Israel and Syria remains an open question. Rather, Syria might end up being a locus of local power competition between Israel and Turkey as both seek 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. decision stood as an essential triumph emerging from Trump's trip. Going forward, Saudi Arabia will likely motivate the United States to continue along its path towards normalization with Syria.

Long-Term Dubai Economic Growth Patterns in 2026

, with no hint of a shift in policy. Going forward, Netanyahu can be anticipated to continue along the very same trajectory in Gaza, especially because a dramatic 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, even more by boosted prospect of continued U.S. support.

Trump's proposal and reiterated its rejection to normalize relations with Israel in the lack of significant progress towards the production of a Palestinian state. The kingdom has also strongly slammed Israel for the absence of adequate aid streaming into Gaza.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Its leading function in pressing for 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 press Israel to relent on these demands, holding out on any development towards normalization with Israel in the absence of motion on these concerns.

Long-Term Dubai Industrial Expansion Patterns in 2026

Its engagement in the Middle East is forming the contours of the emerging regional orderwhether by default or style. Specifically, its decisions on Iran, Syria, and Gaza all discuss core challenges in the area and hold the potential to move each in a favorable instructions. Hazard and deepening conflict stand on the flip side of each opportunity.

As international trade patterns straighten, a new financial 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 throughout Latin America's energy, farming, fintech, and infrastructure sectors. Trade between Mexico and GCC states rose more than 33% between 2021 and 2022, while non-oil trade with the UAE has nearly doubled over the past years.

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