GCC

Far-right groups in Georgia rallied in Tbilisi on September 20 against the UAE-based Eagle Hills investment and its planned large-scale developments near Tbilisi and Batumi. Organizers described the demonstration as a protest against “Arab towns” and announced the creation of a “National Unity for the Protection of Georgian Lands” to coordinate opposition to the projects. The initiative plans to bring together political groups, academics, lawyers and economists opposed to the investment. Organizers also announced plans for legal challenges before Georgia’s Constitutional Court, administrative courts and Prosecutor’s Office, alongside further demonstrations. The Eagle Hills project, representing $6.5 billion in real estate, is promoted by the Georgian government as the largest investment in the country’s history. Critics have questioned the agreement’s transparency, financial viability and potential environmental and social effects. Far-right groups have additionally linked the project to fears about immigration and demographic change. Eagle Hills’ project was announced in January 2025 following Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s visit to the United Arab Emirates. Its expansion has since become a focal point for both economic debate and nationalist opposition, with different groups raising distinct concerns about the investment. The governing Georgian Dream party has condemned the protests.

In this week's Monday Commentary, Dr. Dennis Sammut discusses the impact of the US-Iran war on the Arab states of the Gulf. He argues that the crises is a test of their resilience, and that change is inevitable. "On 28 February, Donald Trump connived with Israel to attack Iran, thinking that the US military strength will easily sweep away the Islamic Republic. He did so without seeking the views of experts within the American bureaucracy, getting the necessary congressional and cross-party support, and importantly without consulting with his allies in the region, in NATO, and beyond. The result has been a terrible and costly failure. The Islamic Republic has survived, despite loosing its supreme leader and top officials, and is even emboldened. The limits of US military power has been exposed, and China and others are watching carefully. Allies are distancing themselves from the US, and the cost for global and American economy, has been huge." "But the harshest costs of Trump’s miscalculation is being paid by the Arab states, on and around the Arabian peninsula. Over the last five decades the GCC countries have largely bought themselves out of any problems which they faced. Three of them at least – Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE, have the stamina to do so again if necessary. But the question remains, will it be enough this time?" The world must be prepared for a changing region. Europe in particular needs to be able to deal with the new reality, and to do this with an open mind. In March of this year I wrote that by attacking Iran, Trump had opened “pandora’s box”. That has definitely been the case for the US. Others however may take heart from the saying that “from every crises, an opportunity arises”. (click the image to read the Monday Commentary in full)