Riyadh Prepares to Host Strategic GCC Dialogues with Russia, India

Gulf foreign ministers and GCC Secretary-General Dr. Jassim Mohammed Al Budawi meet in Doha in June. (GCC)
Gulf foreign ministers and GCC Secretary-General Dr. Jassim Mohammed Al Budawi meet in Doha in June. (GCC)
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Riyadh Prepares to Host Strategic GCC Dialogues with Russia, India

Gulf foreign ministers and GCC Secretary-General Dr. Jassim Mohammed Al Budawi meet in Doha in June. (GCC)
Gulf foreign ministers and GCC Secretary-General Dr. Jassim Mohammed Al Budawi meet in Doha in June. (GCC)

The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries will meet in Riyadh on Monday for their 161st Ministerial Council. They will also hold joint separate meetings with their counterparts from Russia, India and Brazil.

GCC Secretary-General Dr. Jassim Mohammed Al Budawi said in August that the Ministerial Council will tackle several issues related to joint Gulf work, and regional and international developments.

The members of the council will hold a number of joint ministerial meetings with several countries to discuss cooperation and coordination and exchange views on regional and international developments.

The ministers will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the seventh GCC-Russia strategic dialogue. The two parties had previously underscored the importance of the dialogue between them to achieve common interests and deepen relations.

They had approved the Gulf-Russian 2023-2028 joint plan that is aimed at strengthening ties and exchanging expertise in several areas.

The parties last met in Moscow in July. They agreed to intensify efforts to achieve peace, security, stability and prosperity around the world.

They agreed to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of nations and to refrain from meddling in their internal affairs. They stressed the need to confront challenges and crises through peaceful means, prioritize dialogue and resolve conflicts through negotiations.

The meeting welcomed GCC efforts to pave the way for a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine.

The GCC ministers will also meet with their Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the first ever between the two sides.

They will also hold joint talks with Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, who was invited to Riyadh by Al Budawi during a visit to Brazil in June.

Officials are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding and joint work plan aimed at bolstering and developing relations between them.



Saudi, Palestinian FMs Discuss Latest Developments in Gaza

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet in Davos on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet in Davos on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi, Palestinian FMs Discuss Latest Developments in Gaza

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet in Davos on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet in Davos on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held talks on Tuesday with his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos.

The officials discussed bilateral ties and cooperation, as well as the latest developments in Gaza and the efforts to address the situation.


'Spears of Victory 2026' Exercise Begins at Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region

The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
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'Spears of Victory 2026' Exercise Begins at Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region

The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday the launch of the “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region.

The exercise is being conducted with the participation of branches of the Saudi Armed Forces, including land, air, naval, and air defense forces, as well as the Ministry of the National Guard, the Presidency of State Security, the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and military forces from 15 allied and partner countries.

Spears of Victory 2026, one of the largest air exercises in the region, aims to enhance military partnerships, strengthen the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, raise combat readiness, and achieve advanced levels of operational coordination and integration among participating forces.

The exercise focuses on unifying the concept of joint military action, boosting joint operational readiness, and executing and evaluating tactics to address current and emerging threats. It includes a series of advanced training activities, such as joint and combined tactical operations, specialized academic lectures, and operational missions designed to improve the performance of aircrews, technical, and support personnel.

The exercise also evaluates modern military tactics, including electronic and cyber warfare, within a multidimensional operational environment that simulates real operational conditions.

Forces participating in the exercise include those from Bahrain, Bangladesh, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Türkiye, the UK and United States.

The Air Warfare Center, one of the most advanced training facilities in the region, supports the development of combat plans, the assessment of capabilities, and the testing and evaluation of systems and weapons.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Israel’s Demolition of UNRWA Buildings in Jerusalem

 Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)
Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Israel’s Demolition of UNRWA Buildings in Jerusalem

 Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)
Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Tuesday the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of Israel's demolition of buildings belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem.

“Saudi Arabia reiterates its rejection of Israeli violations of international and humanitarian norms and laws and holds the international community responsible for addressing these practices” and Israel’s continued crimes against international relief organizations, it said in a statement.

“Saudi Arabia expresses its support for UNRWA in its humanitarian mission to provide relief to the Palestinian people and calls on the international community to protect relief organizations, their workers and facilities,” it urged.