MUST-READS

• Saudi Arabia, MBS adamant on Palestinian state before Israel normalization: Blinken

  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is adamant about having a Palestinian state as part of any deal to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, the top US diplomat has said, adding that this was the key to long-term stability in the Middle East and one that would ensure Israel’s security. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that a Gaza ceasefire was necessary first. But after that, the focus would need to be on the long-term stability of the region, which would include Israel’s security. “And, of course, the key to that is the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia,” he said in an interview with Foreign Affairs published on Wednesday, expressing hope that the incoming Trump administration would get such a deal done. Despite several reports over the last year, including as recently as this week, that Saudi Arabia is willing to ease its demands in exchange for normalization, Riyadh has repeatedly been consistent in its stance demanding a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

• Trump envoy discusses Israel normalisation with MbS in Saudi Arabia

  US President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman earlier this week in what was the first meeting between the de-facto Saudi ruler and a member of the incoming Trump administration, Axios revealed on Saturday. Citing two anonymous sources, the US-based news outlet said that the pair discussed US-Saudi relations, Israel's war on Gaza and plans to forge a normalisation deal between Riyadh and Tel Aviv. Witkoff, a close confidant of Trump, has been tasked with the "clear aim" of securing a deal between the two US allies and making progress towards a Israel-Palestine peace agreement, according to Axios.

• Trump’s envoy meets Saudi Crown Prince MBS

  President-elect Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff visited Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and met Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), two sources with knowledge of the meeting told Axios. Witkoff's trip to the region was part of a series of engagements Trump's advisers had with Middle East leaders in recent weeks. Trump's Middle East adviser and in-law Massad Boulos was also in the region this week and met in Doha with the prime minister of Qatar, a source with knowledge of the meeting said.

• Saudi Arabia Crown Prince MBS Cancels Trip to G-20 Summit in Rio

  The most likely reason is that flying more than 14 hours from the Saudi capital Riyadh to the Brazilian city may aggravate a chronic ear canal condition plaguing the 39-year-old widely known as MBS, according to the person, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the issue. The Saudi leader has in the past experienced ear blockage and inflammation that has lasted days after making long-distance air trips, the person said. He has previously scrapped foreign trips at the last minute, including a state visit to Japan this year when his ailing 88-year-old father, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, underwent treatment for a lung inflammation.

• Saudi crown prince MBS’ harshest remarks on Gaza conflict and a warning to Israel since the war began

  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has hit out at Israel and condemned its actions in Gaza as " collective genocide", in some of the harshest public criticism of the country by a Saudi official since the start of the war. MBS was speaking at a summit of Muslim and Arab leaders where the prince also criticised Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran. During a gathering of leaders of Islamic nations hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on Monday, the country’s de facto leader said: “The Kingdom reiterates its condemnation and absolute refusal of the collective genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people.”

• Where Saudi’s MBS Beats China’s Deng Xiaoping

  In just eight years, MBS has put the $930 billion Public Investment Fund on the map, starting from a $45 billion commitment to SoftBank Group Corp.’s Vision Fund in 2016. Last year, PIF became the world’s most active sovereign wealth fund in terms of fresh capital deployed, surpassing long-time champion Singapore’s GIC. The fund continues to be active in 2024, buying 40% in the UK department-store chain Selfridges and injecting $2 billion capital into Chinese PC maker Lenovo Group Ltd., to name a few. But the Saudi crown prince is also becoming more assertive. Foreigners that take his money are expected to contribute immediately to the local economy. As part of the $2 billion deal, Lenovo has pledged to open a manufacturing facility and establish a regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, leading to the creation of 15,000 local jobs.

• Saudi Arabia enlists BlackRock to improve MBS market: Report
  According to data available on Argaam, the Saudi Real Estate Refinance Co. (SRC) signed an agreement with BlackRock to develop the real estate finance sector, expand the local and international investor base, and ensure market stability and diverse financing options.

• Blinken urges halt to Middle East conflict as Israel bombs historic Lebanese port
   U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pushed on Wednesday for a halt to fighting between Israel and militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah, but heavy Israeli air strikes on a large historic Lebanese port city demonstrated that there was no respite. Israel began to bomb the UNESCO-listed port of Tyre in south Lebanon roughly three hours after issuing an order online for residents to flee central areas. Huge clouds of thick smoke billowed above residential buildings.

• Saudi’s MbS will not attend Russia’s BRICS summit
  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is not expected to attend a Russian-hosted BRICS summit later this month, according to the Kremlin, which said the world's biggest oil exporter would be represented by the kingdom's foreign minister. The BRICS group originally consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and has expanded to include Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates and others. Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters in January that Riyadh was still considering the invitation to join BRICS.

• Saudi Perfume Maker Climbs 30% on Debut as IPO Rush Continues

  Saudi Arabia-based perfume maker Al Majed for Oud Co. jumped by the maximum allowed in its Riyadh trading debut in a sign that demand for Middle Eastern listings remains robust. The shares jumped to 122.2 riyals ($32.53), up 30% from the offer price of 94 riyals apiece. The initial public offering — where the company sold a 30% stake for $188 million — had been 156.5 times oversubscribed.

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