Kuwait and Oman hope for peace dividend
More cordial Saudi-Qatar relations raise hopes for economic and energy investment progress in other GCC allies. But serious challenges remain
The new leaders of Kuwait and Oman were among the most relieved when Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman embraced Sheikh Tamim of Qatar on the latter’s arrival for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Saudi Arabia in early January. But any optimism the two men might have that a new era of GCC cooperation could help supercharge their economies and energy sectors is tempered by significant domestic challenges. Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah became emir of Kuwait in September last year, nine months after Haitham bin Tariq al-Said was named sultan of Oman. Both are well aware that minimising regional feuds is essential if GCC states are to cope with the political, economic and health
Also in this section
8 August 2025
The producers’ group missed its output increase target for the month and may soon face a critical test of its strategy
7 August 2025
The quick, unified and decisive strategy to return all the barrels from the hefty tranche of cuts from the eight producers involved in voluntary curbs signals a shift and sets the tone for the path ahead
7 August 2025
Without US backing, the EU’s newest sanctions package against Russia—though not painless—is unlikely to have a significant impact on the country’s oil and gas revenues or its broader economy
6 August 2025
Diesel market disruptions have propelled crude prices above $100/bl twice in this century, and now oil teeters on the brink of another crude quality crisis
