Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, the commander of US Central Command, said the forces would add “unique capabilities” to the region in order to “further safeguard the free flow of international commerce and uphold the rules based international order.”
US deploying Marines, additional forces to Middle East following recent Iranian attempted shipping seizures [CNN]
“We are delighted to announce our first IHG hotel in the exciting and rapidly developing region of NEOM….Hotel Indigo is dedicated to embracing the unique essence of each local destination, ensuring that our hotels truly embody the spirit of their locations. We are excited to announce the upcoming opening of this new property in Oxagon, where an innovative blueprint for industry and remarkable livability is being crafted. This extraordinary establishment is set to welcome guests in 2026.”
-Haitham Mattar, managing director for India, Middle East and Africa at IHG. The hotel brand will open its first hotel in NEOM Oxagon area. [Al Arabiya]
“I understand the PGA Tour wanting to do something for those players who helped and stayed on the PGA Tour, but at the same time – and I’ll be the first one to say – I wasn’t forced into anything. It was my choice to stay. I just stayed because I think it’s the best choice for myself and for the golf I want to play. Now, with that said, if they want to do it, I’m not going to say no.”
Golfer Jon Rahm when asked about the possibility of compensation for PGA members who did not join LIV. [Telegraph]
“I believe that emerging leagues in emerging markets, having energy and having investment and creating noise is a positive. For many years, we were that challenging league and we’re in a different spot than we were in the past. I don’t look at that as a threat in any way to Major League Soccer. I actually think it’s positive for the sport. I wish them well.”
-MLS Commissioner Don Garber, discussing the rise of the Saudi Pro League and why it is good for the sport despite their direct competition to attract players. [Reuters]
“We are shifting from the existing relationship of an oil importer and an exporter and will deepen a new global partnership for the decarbonisation era.”
Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida [South China Morning Post]
“At the same time, Washington should not double down on its timeworn, security-focused strategy, rooted in efforts to create pro-U.S. defensive blocs as a counterweight to Chinese encroachment. Instead, the United States should expand its policy tools and investment in the region to areas where it enjoys a comparative advantage, such as human capital advancement, education, green technology, and digital platforms. And it should also support broader kinds of compacts with Arab partners and rising middle powers such as Brazil, India, and Japan that will allow it to diversify the region’s stakeholders, bring new investment, and reinvigorate U.S. engagement on trade, climate change, food security, and other issues.”
Jennifer Kavanagh and Frederic Wehrey, The Multialigned Middle East [Foreign Affairs]
“The Law establishes a general, comprehensive civil law framework for the Kingdom for the first time. It sets out clear guidelines for contracts including on what basis they will be considered valid or legally enforceable, how they will be executed, and how they will be terminated. The Law also lays out various contractual rights and obligations and covers several types of contracts such as sales, lease, agency, and construction contracts” ASG Analysis: Saudi Arabia Enacts the Civil Transactions Law [Albright Stonebridge Group]
“Saudi Arabia’s teams are among the best in Asia, but many of them have only the loosest internal structures. Few have sophisticated recruitment departments: For years, they have been “passive” purchasers, one executive said, reliant on agents to pitch players to them.”
Inside the Saudi Gold Rush [New York Times]
“Oxford University’s online data-gathering website, Our World in Data, ranked 185 countries around the world according to their average daily kilocalorie consumption in its index. Bahrain has become the world’s sole nation where daily calorie consumption exceeded the 4,000-kilocalorie benchmark, surpassing Ireland and the United States from the previous year. According to data, the average daily calorie consumption in the country reached 4,012 kilocalories. The ranking lists Turkey as the world’s top fifth biggest eater at 3,762.”
“Israel’s national anthem was played in Saudi Arabia’s capital of Riyadh on Tuesday at an esports tournament with Israeli competitors, likely the first time in the country’s history. An Israeli team competing in the world finals for the soccer videogame FIFA flew the Israeli flag and were greeted with Israel’s anthem Hatikvah at the tournament’s opening ceremony Tuesday after they arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday. Israeli media reported that the gaming team, ranked second in the world, flew to Riyadh via the United Arab Emirates and entered the country on their Israeli passports.”
