Essential GCC Market Analysis Trends 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. Considering that the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Israel has been careful of the former jihadist now in control in Damascus.

It has likewise released soldiers in southern Syria, inhabiting an increasing area beyond the demilitarized zone separating the two countries. Moving forward, Israel will remain wary of the Sharaa government and will likely continue to apply military pressure on Syria, including 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 concern. Rather, Syria could end up being a locus of local power competition between Israel and Turkey as both look for to exert their impact over Syria's trajectory. Considering that the fall of Assad in December 2024, Saudi Arabia has actually lobbied hard for the United States to lift Syria sanctions, mentioning them as a key challenge to the country's reconstruction.

For MBS, the U.S. decision stood as an essential victory emerging from Trump's journey. Going forward, Saudi Arabia will likely encourage the United States to continue along its path toward normalization with Syria. It might push for the repeal of the Caesar sanctions, which need to be carried out by Congress. Riyadh might also press the United States to rein in Israel, ought to it continue with aggressive military action in Syria.

Connecting Policy and Business Performance in the Middle East

, with no tip of a shift in policy. Going forward, Netanyahu can be expected to continue along the exact same trajectory in Gaza, specifically given that a significant shift in U.S.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

On the contrary, as the international outcry global ProtestVersus 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, bolstered by strengthened prospect of continued U.S. ongoing.

Trump's proposition and repeated its rejection to stabilize relations with Israel in the absence of significant progress toward the development of a Palestinian state. The kingdom has actually also strongly slammed Israel for the lack of adequate help flowing into Gaza.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Its leading function 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 pressure Israel to relent on these needs, holding out on any progress toward normalization with Israel in the absence of movement on these problems.

Future-Focused Corporate Excellence for 2026 Ecosystems

Its engagement in the Middle East is shaping the contours of the emerging regional orderwhether by default or style. Specifically, its choices on Iran, Syria, and Gaza all touch on core obstacles in the region and hold the possible to move each in a positive instructions. Hazard and deepening conflict stand on the flip side of each opportunity.

As global trade patterns realign, a brand-new financial investment corridor is taking shape, connecting capital from the Gulf to Latin America. Sovereign wealth funds, corporations, and family offices from the Gulf Cooperation Council ("") are investing billions across Latin America's energy, agriculture, fintech, and facilities sectors. Trade 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 past years.

3 Company belief shows this momentum64% of Latin American executives plan to expand engagement with the Gulf, particularly in farming, renewable resource, and digital services. 4 Highlighting this momentum, Saudi Arabia recently opened its very first Chamber of Commerce workplace in Miami, additional signaling the growing links between Gulf capital and the Americas.