Qatar and the U.S., 2 of the world’s largest exporters of LNG, have joined hands to challenge the EU’s “Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive,” which imposes net-zero and labor rules they contend would threaten Europe’s energy security. – Kate Dourian agsi.org/analysis/lng...

Qatar Investment Authority and Japan's ORIX Corporation establish a $2.5 billion private equity fund. #GulfEconomicBarometer agsi.org/gulf-economi...

Without mutual recognition mechanisms, Gulf exporters may face higher compliance costs and potential exclusion from European markets despite genuine emission-reduction efforts. – Kate Dourian agsi.org/analysis/lng...

Saudi leaders are seeking bilateral deals that advance the Saudi-U.S. relationship without the need for the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. – Aziz Alghashian agsi.org/analysis/in-...

Thanks to all who joined today's discussion. The video will be available at the link below in the coming days. agsi.org/events/the-u...

“Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification broadens the kind of ties they need to keep developing. They've been working with much broader array of people than we originally saw Saudi Arabia reaching out to, those relations remain important for the Saudi vision.” – Kristin Smith Diwan buff.ly/cz7w16l

“Technology ties with China have to be severed to receive F-35s. For Saudi, that will only happen if an AI agreement is signed and Saudi makes a clear determined decision to go with the U.S. and give up on Chinese AI and technology.” – Bernard Haykel agsi.org/events/the-u...

“Saudi Arabia looks at itself as a leader on both sides of the Arabian Peninsula, and the Red Sea.” – Kristin Smith Diwan agsi.org/events/the-u...

“The Saudis are coming with over a thousand people in their delegation on their trip to Washington.” – Bernard Haykel agsi.org/events/the-u...

“Saudi Arabia is going through a pretty extensive reform of their judicial system right now.” – Kristin Smith Diwan agsi.org/events/the-u...

“The Gulf states are interested in greater stability in the region and greater global integration, but they can't do it without steps taken by the United States.” – Kristin Smith Diwan agsi.org/events/the-u...

“Any deal that does not begin with a serious political resolution to the Palestinian suffering cannot deliver stability.” Hesham Alghannam agsi.org/events/the-u...

“The larger Gaza war sets back the major American goal of bringing Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords.” F. Gregory Gause, lll agsi.org/events/the-u...

"This visit is not only about optics but also about statecraft. Riyadh is not seeking symbolic protection. It wants a credible and clear defense arrangement." Hesham Alghannam agsi.org/events/the-u...

“MbS recognizes that serious partnerships are not forged through media moments or partisan theatrics, but through sustained engagement with pillars of American governance.“ Hesham Alghannam agsi.org/events/the-u...

“The Trump administration is willing to cooperate with Saudi Arabia to a much greater extent than the Biden administration on technology and AI.” F. Gregory Gause, lll agsi.org/events/the-u...

“The Saudis firmly believe that their security interests are intimately tied to the United States, and not any other country.“ Bernard Haykel agsi.org/events/the-u...

In Washington, Mohammed bin Salman Aims to Elevate Defense Ties – Aziz Alghashian agsi.org/analysis/in-...

In today's edition of the #IranMediaReview @alfoneh.bsky.social examines Iranian commentary on the upcoming elections in Iraq and Tehran’s water shortage. agsi.org/analysis/ira...

Iraqi Elections and a Water Crisis #IranMediaReview @alfoneh.bsky.social agsi.org/analysis/ira...

TODAY at 10:00 am EDT: "The U.S.-Saudi Partnership Ahead of the Crown Prince’s Washington Visit" with Hesham Alghannam, Kristin Smith Diwan, F. Gregory Gause, lll, Bernard Haykel, and @ibishblog.bsky.social.

Saudi Arabia has long sought a formula for clarifying the regional security role of the large-scale U.S. military facilities in the Gulf region, especially the significant air base in Qatar and naval headquarters in Bahrain. @ibishblog.bsky.social

The administration’s ideological base makes it politically incapable of pressuring the hard-line Israeli government for a two-state solution. For Saudi Arabia, accepting a deal without it is a political and strategic impossibility. Abdullah F. Alrebh

Tomorrow: "The U.S.-Saudi Partnership Ahead of the Crown Prince’s Washington Visit" with Hesham Alghannam, Kristin Smith Diwan, F. Gregory Gause, lll, Bernard Haykel, and @ibishblog.bsky.social.

LNG Heavyweights Qatar and U.S. Take Aim at EU Directive by Kate Dourian agsi.org/analysis/lng...

Normalization with Israel is Saudi Arabia’s most powerful diplomatic card. It will not be played merely for economic gains but must be traded for something permanent and transformative. Abdullah F. Alrebh

When Mohammed bin Salman arrives in Washington, both the Saudi delegation and White House will have commercial deals on their mind, but not for all the same reasons. – Robert Mogielnicki

One issue that hangs in the balance is that of the United States reopening its embassy in Syria. Trump could make this move with straightforward executive action. – Amb. William Roebuck

Syrian businessmen and officials complained to AGSI that the temporary waivers are not sufficient to convince banks and potential investors in the region and more broadly that it’s safe to reengage with the Syrian financial system. – Amb. William Roebuck

Policymakers in Washington and European capitals have typically been wary of tough measures that could drive up the price of gasoline or diesel for the average consumer. @bencahill.bsky.social

When the Saudi crown prince meets President Trump in Washington, the main topics of discussion are likely to be commercial deals, a defense pact, a Saudi civilian nuclear program, and normalization with Israel. – AGSI

Trump is clearly signaling that the potential for a history-making foreign policy “win” and major economic deals outweighs the domestic political noise. Abdullah F. Alrebh

While the United States has made clear it would like to see Syria eventually sign on to the Abraham Accords, there seems to be an understanding that conditions are not yet ripe for Syria to normalize relations with Israel. – Amb. William Roebuck

Four Priorities for Mohammed bin Salman in Washington – AGSI agsi.org/analysis/fou...

The ongoing Israeli incursions, with hundreds of reported attacks, have begun to embitter the Syrian leadership and led to a degree of harsher rhetoric by Sharaa as he gauges public anger. – Amb. William Roebuck

Buyers in India, China, Turkey, and elsewhere may seek alternative crude grades from the Gulf, Iraq, West Africa, and Europe. @bencahill.bsky.social

As the Gaza front cools, the Houthis are refocusing aggressively on Saudi Arabia, at least rhetorically. @bashareport.bsky.social

This visit, Mohammed bin Salman’s first to Washington in over seven years, arrives in a complex political atmosphere. Abdullah F. Alrebh

The expected agreement for Syria to join the Global Coalition Against ISIS will formally align Sharaa’s government with the Trump administration on counterterrorism and with some 85 other countries and international organizations. – Amb. William Roebuck

The United States is preparing to establish a military presence on the outskirts of Damascus that would include a runway adequate to land U.S. military aircraft. – Amb. William Roebuck

Sanctions enforcement centers on Asian buyers, and events in the past few months suggest the Trump administration is more likely to lean on India rather than China. @bencahill.bsky.social

If Houthi harassment pushes Riyadh to adopt faster intelligence fusion with any actor who can suppress launch sites and defeat drones, then practical cooperation could follow. @bashareport.bsky.social

Trump’s May visit to Riyadh seemed a resounding success for his transactional diplomacy, securing historic investment commitments. Abdullah F. Alrebh

In the most dizzying development yet in the dramatic reversal in U.S.-Syrian diplomatic relations that started in May in Saudi Arabia, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to visit Washington and be received at the White House by Trump. – Amb. William Roebuck

As Saudi Arabia seeks a binding defense pact with the United States, this visit pits the transactional pursuit of “America First” economic deals against the administration’s deeply ideological, pro-Israel, and anti-Iran posture. Abdullah F. Alrebh

The anti-Houthi coalition remains fragmented, with divergent chains of command and competing sources of external support. Western partners who could change the balance quickly do not want a new Yemen war. @bashareport.bsky.social

G7 states seem confident that a coordinated effort can dial up pressure on Russian oil exports. @bencahill.bsky.social

In today's edition of the #IranMediaReview @alfoneh.bsky.social analyzes an address by the Iranian foreign minister about past negotiations with the United States.

Foreign Minister Araghchi: Negotiations With the U.S. Not a “Positive Experience” #IranMediaReview @alfoneh.bsky.social agsi.org/analysis/for...

From the Houthis’ perspective, Riyadh’s engagement with maritime forces and the wider anti-Houthi camp form the backbone of a strategy that squeezes supply chains at sea while rebuilding a rival security architecture on land. @bashareport.bsky.social