By Qamar Bashir
In a world no longer solely defined by military alliances or ideological blocs, power is
increasingly shaped by capital, technology, and human development. President Donald
Trump’s decision to begin his second term with a summit in the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) nations is a telling recognition of this shift. It affirms the Gulf’s rise not
only as a regional powerhouse but as a global actor actively reshaping diplomacy,
development, and security.
At the epicenter of this transformation stands Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
(MBS), whose strategic clarity and economic foresight have positioned Saudi Arabia and
its allies at the vanguard of a multipolar world. The summit, hosted in Riyadh, was more
than ceremonial—it was a moment of recalibration for the global order.
What distinguishes the modern GCC is not just its wealth, but the vision to wield it with
purpose. With sovereign funds reaching into the trillions, Gulf nations are redirecting
capital from passive holdings to strategic investments—funding artificial intelligence,
quantum computing, energy transitions, and educational partnerships with elite American
institutions.
This is a new form of diplomacy: one where influence is purchased not through arms but
by acquiring intellectual property, embedding talent in global research, and co-creating
innovation ecosystems. Gulf money is no longer idle—it is building future influence.
President Trump, recognizing this shift, lauded the Gulf’s transformation as “the envy of
the world,” citing over $1 trillion in projected investments and over $110 billion in
bilateral trade in 2024 alone. But beyond the numbers was a message: Gulf leadership is
not following the West—it is co-authoring the future with it.
The summit focused heavily on regional stabilization. In one of the most consequential
announcements, Trump declared the complete lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria,
signaling a dramatic shift in American policy. He credited Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Salman and Turkish President Erdogan for facilitating the move—an act designed to
provide Syria with a “fresh start” and reintegrate it into the Arab fold after years of civil
war and isolation.
This development was not a concession—it was a calculated diplomatic trade-off. In
return for massive Gulf investment into American infrastructure, defense contracts, and
educational programs, the U.S. acknowledged the Gulf’s new authority to shape the
political future of the region.
Addressing the Gaza tragedy, MBS underscored that a sustainable peace lies in a just
resolution of the Palestinian issue through the establishment of an independent
Palestinian state, in line with United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
He categorically rejected any plan to displace or resettle Palestinians in foreign
territories, reaffirming their right to homeland and sovereignty.
In this broader context, the Gulf nations’ alignment with the United States reflects not
just shared economic interests, but a mutual strategic goal of containing Iranian influence,
stabilizing regional politics, and eliminating armed proxies that thrive on chaos.
One of the most overlooked, yet powerful, elements of the U.S.-GCC partnership is the
massive investment in human capital. Tens of thousands of students from the Gulf are
studying in top American universities, training in advanced fields like robotics, aerospace
engineering, nanotechnology, and cybersecurity. These students are not merely recipients
of Western knowledge—they are future architects of a Middle East prepared to lead.
MBS has paired this educational strategy with significant incentives for American
universities to expand in Saudi Arabia and across the GCC. These joint campuses are fast
becoming incubators for innovation, preparing the region to compete not only
economically but intellectually in the coming decades.
The Gulf states are no longer content to influence global policy from the sidelines. By
investing in American industries, real estate, and financial markets, they are embedding
themselves deeply into the U.S. economic architecture. But what’s more strategic is their
targeted investment in intellectual property and cutting-edge technology.
This ensures that as America innovates, the Gulf is not just a client but a partner—and in
many cases, a co-owner. This strategic stakeholding, wisely replacing dormant assets and
offshore accounts, reflects a new doctrine: soft power through smart capital.
Trump also unveiled a fresh diplomatic offensive aimed at liberating Lebanon from
Hezbollah’s shadow. A new U.S. ambassador—a Lebanese-American with deep regional
roots—has been appointed to lead this mission, backed by economic assistance and civil
society outreach. It’s a move meant to offer the Lebanese people an alternative path
forward—free from sectarian domination and foreign interference.
This summit may well be remembered as the moment when the Gulf ceased to be a
regional player and assumed its role as a global co-author of peace, stability, and
progress. With sanctions lifted on Syria, and the Palestinians firmly defended through
diplomatic backing, the message is clear: the future will be written by those who blend
capital, conviction, and clarity of purpose.
The partnership between President Trump and the Gulf leaders—particularly Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman—is not about fleeting gestures or transactional politics. It
is about long-term architecture—of peace, of prosperity, and of power sharing.
As the tectonic plates of global influence continue to shift, one thing is certain: the Gulf
has arrived—not merely through the power of petro dollars, but by the sheer force of
merit, strategic foresight, and visionary leadership. The prosperity of the GCC is no
longer defined by passive wealth accumulation, but by the intelligent reassignment of
resources—where idle capital is transformed into active investment across continents.
They are acquiring foreign assets, attracting global minds, and integrating world-class
expertise to exponentially grow their economic footprint. Recognizing that true and
lasting prosperity lies in empowering their own people, GCC nations are investing
billions to build human capital—sending their youth to top global institutions, creating
ecosystems of entrepreneurship, and opening channels of trade and innovation.
By aligning emerging technologies with national ambitions and training their citizens to
lead in these domains, the Gulf states are not only securing their place at the forefront of
global progress but are reshaping the narrative of power, productivity, and purposeful
development for the 21st century.
Writer is Press Secretary to the President (Rtd)
Former Press Minister at Embassy of Pakistan to France
Former MD, SRBC
Macomb, Michigan, USA
