Corporate Strategy in a Changing GCC Market thumbnail

Corporate Strategy in a Changing GCC Market

Published Aug 16, 26
4 min read


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

Connecting Policy and Business Performance in the Gulf

It has also released soldiers in southern Syria, occupying an increasing location beyond the demilitarized zone separating the two nations. Going forward, Israel will stay 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.

Israel's openness to the Trump administration's efforts to broker a nonaggression pact in between Israel and Syria stays an open concern. Instead, Syria might become a locus of regional power competition 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 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. decision stood as an essential victory emerging from Trump's trip. Moving forward, Saudi Arabia will likely encourage the United States to continue along its course toward normalization with Syria. It might press for the repeal of the Caesar sanctions, which should be carried out by Congress. Riyadh might likewise press the United States to control Israel, ought to it continue with aggressive military action in Syria.

Emerging Strategic Shifts Defining the 2026 Regional Market

Expert Tips Regarding Managing GCC Market Complexity

Regardless of widening domestic and global criticism of Israel's approach, the prime minister has not wavered in his expanding occupation of Gaza in the absence of any U.S. pressure. Indeed, the prime minister appears to bask in U.S. support, with no hint of a shift in policy. Going forward, Netanyahu can be expected to continue along the same trajectory in Gaza, especially given that a significant shift in U.S.

On the contrary, as the global outcry against Israel's actions in Gaza grows and with an increasing number of U.S. allies moving to state a Palestinian state, Israel is most likely to entrench its position further, bolstered by the prospect of ongoing U.S. support. The Trump administration announced its decision to deny visas to the Palestinian Authority leadership ahead of the UN General Assembly, apparently in action to installing calls for stating a Palestinian state.

Riyadh immediately rejected Trump's proposition and repeated its refusal to normalize relations with Israel in the absence of significant progress towards the creation of a Palestinian state. The kingdom has actually also strongly slammed Israel for the lack of adequate aid streaming into Gaza. Following the August 22 scarcity declaration, Saudi Arabia, while not calling out the United States, faulted the Israeli profession as the cause of the "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+


Its leading role in promoting a two-state option 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 press Israel to relent on these demands, holding out on any development towards normalization with Israel in the lack of movement on these concerns.

Accelerating Regional Industrial Expansion Strategies

Its engagement in the Middle East is forming the shapes of the emerging local orderwhether by default or style. Specifically, its choices on Iran, Syria, and Gaza all touch on core obstacles in the area and hold the prospective to move each in a positive instructions. Peril and deepening conflict stand on the flip side of each opportunity.

As worldwide trade patterns straighten, a brand-new investment corridor is taking shape, connecting capital from the Gulf to Latin America. Sovereign wealth funds, corporations, and household offices from the Gulf Cooperation Council ("") are investing billions throughout Latin America's energy, agriculture, fintech, and infrastructure sectors. Trade in between Mexico and GCC states increased more than 33% in between 2021 and 2022, while non-oil trade with the UAE has almost folded the past decade.

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

Share us on...