The Golf War on the Arabian Peninsula

Dec 26, 2021
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Also published in Wall Street Journal
A professional golfer at a tournament in the UAE - Source: Reuters
About the Authors
David Schenker
David Schenker

David Schenker is the Taube Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics. He is the former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.

Articles & Testimony

The Emirates are the region’s leading destination for the sport, but Saudi Arabia is coming on strong as part of their broader economic competition.

The so-called Gulf Rift between Qatar and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council ended early this year. But the monarchies that belong to the council compete as much as they collaborate. For the two most populous members, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, this competition is playing out in golf. As part of Riyadh’s ambitious Vision 2030 project to diversify its economy, diminish reliance on fossil fuels and create jobs, it has announced its intention to become a regional golf destination. The kingdom’s approach to the sport echoes another one of its goals: poaching corporate headquarters from the UAE...

Read the full article on the Wall Street Journal website.

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