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 Crown Prince, French President Discuss Regional Developments 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, French President Discuss Regional Developments 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received on Monday a telephone call from French President Emmanuel Macron.

They discussed regional and international developments and ongoing efforts to achieve security and stability.

They reviewed bilateral relations and the existing cooperation between their two countries in a number of fields, in addition to discussing several issues of common interest.


Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of Tareq Al Suwaidan

Preacher Tareq Al Suwaidan 
Preacher Tareq Al Suwaidan 
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Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of Tareq Al Suwaidan

Preacher Tareq Al Suwaidan 
Preacher Tareq Al Suwaidan 

Kuwait has revoked the citizenship of 24 people, including prominent preacher Tareq Al Suwaidan, according to an official decree published in the Kuwait Al-Youm gazette.

Decree No. 227 of 2025 stated that Al Suwaidan’s Kuwaiti nationality, along with that of any dependents who obtained it through him, is to be withdrawn.

The decree was issued from Seif Palace and signed by the Emir, Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, upon the recommendation of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and after Cabinet approval.

The order did not cite the legal grounds for the decision, though Kuwaiti authorities have previously said citizenship may be revoked in cases involving fraud, criminal activity or threats to state security.

About 60,000 people have been stripped of nationality since the establishment of the Higher Committee for Citizenship Affairs in Kuwait.

Born in 1953, Al Suwaidan is rather considered a media figure affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood than as a thinker and researcher in Islamic history and personal development.

He moved to the United States at age 17, where he spent two decades and earned a PhD.

Earlier, Al Suwaidan has faced accusations of insulting sister countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

On July 30, 2024, the Criminal Court has acquitted Al Suwaidan of insulting the two states, but the Public Prosecutor later appealed the verdict

 


‘Islamic Coalition’ Launches Training to Bolster Tactical Intelligence Capabilities

The five-day program runs from December 7 to 11. (IMCTC)
The five-day program runs from December 7 to 11. (IMCTC)
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‘Islamic Coalition’ Launches Training to Bolster Tactical Intelligence Capabilities

The five-day program runs from December 7 to 11. (IMCTC)
The five-day program runs from December 7 to 11. (IMCTC)

The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) launched in Riyadh on Sunday its specialized program titled “Tactical Intelligence,” with the participation of 22 trainees from 11 member states.

Offered by Saudi Arabia, the program includes a set of advanced training modules covering the concept and cycle of tactical intelligence, decision-making support requirements, as well as information analysis methods, said IMCTC.

The five-day program, running from December 7 to 11, aims to develop participants’ skills in intelligence analysis, assessing intelligence and supporting military operations to counter modern security challenges.

Participating countries include Burkina Faso, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Jordan, Nigeria, Guinea, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Morocco, Pakistan and Senegal.

IMCTC Secretary General Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Moghedi said the training is part of a strategic vision that aims to build sustainable abilities and raise the readiness of military cadres of the member countries to boost their capabilities in countering challenges and various terrorist threats.

He praised the support from Saudi Arabia, where the IMCTC is based, saying the training programs are being fully funded by the Kingdom, which underscores is pioneering role and firm commitment to supporting security and stability.