Exploring the Joystick Diplomacy in the Arab Gulf: How Esports is Shaping Foreign Policy in the GCC

Introduction: esports diplomacy

In recent years, the world of competitive video gaming, known as esports, has transcended the boundaries of entertainment and evolved into a significant cultural and economic phenomenon. With millions of fans and players around the globe, esports has garnered attention not only from the gaming community but also from policymakers, diplomats, and international organizations.

The burgeoning interest in esports is highlighted by the fact that its global revenues increased from $130 million in 2012 to $1,187,400,000 in 2019, with over $4.5 billion disclosed investments in 2018 and a fanbase of 380 million people.

It is no surprise, therefore, that governments are investing in esport arenas and facilities given that, like traditional sports, esports has the potential of creating employment opportunities and stimulating the economy through tourism and trade. Pioneering examples are South Korea that was able to leverage esports to gain global prestige through successfully running in competitions across different games and leagues, and Australia’s tourism gaining traction through the hosting of its first “Melbourne esports Open” in 2018. On the other hand, China’s freezing of pending video game licences to South Korea during the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense tensions in 2017, and the U.S. restricting access to the game servers of World of Warcraft in 2012 and League of Legends in 2018 in Iran highlights “the susceptibility of the global esports market to international politics and power plays,” and hence indicate how esport can be optimized by a state as an element of soft power.

To this end, the ascension of esports in the Arab Gulf states, and the inception of the GCC Esports Federation, which aims at cultivating a synergistic milieu conducive to the industry’s expansion, is indicative of the region’s dedication to capitalizing in this thriving industry.

Overview of esports in the Arab Gulf:

The Arab Gulf states’ strategic vision for esports is underpinned by a holistic development approach that encompasses infrastructure, talent cultivation, and regulatory frameworks. The establishment of high-tech gaming facilities and esports academies has provided a solid foundation for nurturing local talent and hosting international events. These efforts have not only elevated the region’s gaming profile but have also contributed to the creation of a sustainable esports ecosystem. Each member state has embraced a distinct approach to nurturing its esports investments. Presented herein is an assessment of esports and gaming development and investment trends across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Saudi Arabia as a Regional and Global Esports Hub

The growing interest in esports and gaming within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has undergone a significant evolution, paralleling the nation’s expansive socio-economic transformation. The genesis of this digital renaissance is deeply rooted in the country’s youth culture, where gaming has emerged as a prevalent leisure activity. With approximately 50% of the nation’s populace engaging in gaming, a robust foundation for an esports industry has been established. A defining moment occurred in 2015 with Abdulaziz Alshehri’s victory in the FIFA Interactive World Cup, propelling Saudi Arabia into the international esports arena. This momentum was sustained by Mosaad Al-Dossary’s victory at the FIFA eWorld Cup in 2018, further cementing the Kingdom’s stature in the realm of competitive gaming.

The Kingdom’s ventures into the gaming sphere demonstrate a cognizance of esports’ global resonance and its potential to establish Saudi Arabia as a nexus for gaming and esports innovation, a vision which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has articulated as he stated that his country is “leveraging the latent potential within the esports and gaming sector to broaden our economic base, stimulate innovation, and augment the array of entertainment and esports competitions throughout the Kingdom.”

A salient endeavor in this regard is the creation of the Saudi Esports Federation and the orchestration of premier gaming events, underscoring a dedication to the cultivation of domestic talent and the formation of a dynamic gaming ecosystem. For instance, the hosting of the 2024 FIFA Esports World Cup (EWC) within the Kingdom underscores its capability to manage large-scale esports tournaments, thereby fostering domestic talent and establishing Saudi Arabia as a prime location for esports tourism and global acclaim. Moreover, the ascent of esports has garnered international sponsorships and partnerships, including American fast food company KFC, LG UltraGear, and MasterCard. These alliances not only channel financial resources into the gaming sector but also engender a milieu that is propitious for sustained growth, thereby amplifying the Kingdom’s global profile and potentially invigorating tourism.


Qiddiya was the official venue that hosted the 2024 Esports World Cup. Photo: Saudi Arabia Economy

The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

To establish itself as a premier global hub for gaming and esports, the UAE has heavily invested in the creation of sophisticated gaming centers, esports arenas, and training facilities, such as the Dubai Gaming Festival and the Abu Dhabi-based Hub Zero, which not only enriches the regional gaming culture but also lays the groundwork for the rise of professional gamers. With investments surpassing $1 billion to enhance the sector’s infrastructure, the UAE is aiming at drawing global talent and nurturing a vibrant gaming community. The partnership between Mubadala Investment Company and Abu Dhabi Gaming (AD Gaming) is a prime example, having signed an agreement to bolster the gaming and esports ecosystem, with a focus on supporting high-value products, creative industries, and innovative technologies. Additionally, the ‘Dubai Program for Gaming 2033’ seeks to elevate Dubai into the top echelon of global gaming cities, aiming to generate 30,000 new jobs within the gaming sector and contribute $1 billion to the nation’s GDP by 2033. This ambitious initiative highlights the UAE’s determination to secure a significant position in the worldwide gaming market, anticipated to reach a value of $492.90m by 2027.


Abu Dhabi Is Building the World’s First Esports Island: Photo: True Gamers

Qatar

Qatar too is proactively cultivating its gaming ecosystem, capitalizing on its affluence and advanced technological infrastructure to emerge as a prominent force in the industry. The nation’s dedication to esports was underscored by the inception of the Qatar Esports Federation, operating under the auspices of the Qatar Olympic Committee. This entity is dedicated to amplifying both domestic and global engagement in esports, mirroring the government’s strategy to foster a dynamic competitive gaming milieu within the country. Also, the Qatar SportsTech (QST) initiative represents another pivotal endeavor, aimed at propelling the sports sector’s growth in Qatar and the wider Middle East. It affords startups access to capital, expertise, and networks, incorporating esports within its promising “Accelerator Program.” The integration of esports into QST’s agenda signifies Qatar’s resolve to advance its competitive gaming landscape in tandem with its commitment to conventional sports excellence.

Furthermore, Qatar’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, characterized by rapid connectivity, premier venues, and convenient travel, optimally positions the country as a host for significant international esports events. The Qatar Esports Wega Global Games, launched in January 2020, exemplified a global esports contest, centralized in Qatar, with the goal of enhancing the nation’s competitive framework and augmenting opportunities for esports participants, which was further bolstered ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, hence capturing worldwide attention and demonstrating Qatar’s capacity to facilitate expansive esports events.

Investments in esports and gaming are also materializing through strategic alliances with leading industry entities. Quest Esports, for instance, has been deeply involved with the regional gaming sector, providing a spectrum of services from tournament orchestration to talent management and content generation. Quest Esports’ management of numerous large-scale LAN tournaments and online league contests for well-known games attests to Qatar’s proficiency in administering diverse leagues across a variety of game genres throughout the year.


Revenue of Qatar’s Esports Industry is Expected to Reach $125.7 Million in 2024. Photo: Qatar Day.

Oman

Oman is also actively developing its gaming ecosystem, leveraging its wealth to establish itself as a leading force in the industry. In 2021, the Oman Committee for Games and Electronic Sports was inaugurated to elevate the sultanate’s global profile in these domains and to oversee domestic industry regulation. This committee represents a pivotal move towards establishing a robust framework that will underpin the expansion of esports and gaming within Oman. The country’s debut in hosting its first games and esports championship in late 2021 signified a significant stride into the competitive esports sphere. These events serve not only to invigorate the local gaming community but also to draw international focus, thereby positioning Oman as an emerging hub for global esports tournaments.

Also, the Oman Online Gaming Market is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2% from 2021 to 2027, propelled by factors such as enhanced internet accessibility, the escalating appeal of mobile gaming, and the establishment of gaming-centric infrastructure, including gaming cafes and advanced internet services. Oman’s demographic profile, characterized by its youthful populace, aligns with the nation’s strategy to harness the vigor and passion for gaming and esports among its younger citizens. Through strategic investments in these sectors, Oman is not merely offering avenues for recreation but is also pioneering pathways for career development within its youthful population.


Oman Olympic Academy. Photo: Olympic Council on Asia

Kuwait

In the past few years, Kuwait has undertaken assertive measures to integrate into the esports and gaming sector. A defining juncture was the alliance between Zain Esports and the Kuwait Olympic Committee, which managed and organized an esports event in 2021 that spanned for four weekends with the objective of cultivating local talent and forming a Kuwaiti esports ecosystem contingent for participation in forthcoming Olympic Games and international contests. This endeavor not only fosters esports within Kuwait but also establishes the nation as a fertile environment for promising gamers. The commitment to esports forms a segment of a larger strategy to forge a digital economy capable of enduring growth and innovation. Since its inception in November 2020, Zain Esports has been a pioneer, coordinating regional online esports tournaments and community events featuring considerable prize funds. Their initiatives have attracted a social media audience surpassing 35 million views, reflecting a vibrant community keen to partake in esports.

Additionally, Kuwait’s investment approach in esports includes the private sector, with an array of angel investors and venture capital funds actively channeling resources into gaming startups. For instance, through a partnership with FASTtelco and Blink—the country’s leading internet provider and largest online shopping platform, respectively—Ooredoo Kuwait has created an advanced facility poised to revolutionize the gaming scene for enthusiasts throughout the country. Also, leveraging Blink’s proficiency in providing top-notch gaming configurations—complete with high-end gaming PCs, ergonomic desks, and comfortable chairs—Ooredoo Kuwait has meticulously designed the ProPing Gaming Lab to cater to the requirements of avid gamers.


Kuwait Esports Club hosts first FIFA21 championship. Photo: Kuwait Times

Bahrain

Bahrain has acknowledged the growing potential of the esports and gaming industry, as demonstrated by its facilitative policies and strategic capital deployment. The nation’s gaming sector is an integral component of the swiftly expanding gaming community within the Middle East region, with an estimated annual growth rate of 8.02% from 2024 to 2027, resulting in a projected market volume of $53.43 million by the end of 2027. Bahrain’s proactive gaming policies have been pivotal in harnessing this regional upswing to bolster the sector’s development.

The country has been the venue for numerous prominent esports gatherings, such as The IGN Convention, DreamLand Expo, and the Counter-Strike’s BLAST Pro Series Global Final. Bahrain has also forged public-private partnerships with leading global digital infrastructure providers, such as Amazon Web Services, creating a nurturing environment for esports and gaming enterprises. This synergistic approach has significantly propelled the sector’s expansion. Moreover, Bahrain’s investments in esports have catalyzed the rise of local esports professionals, with 47 esports athletes ranking 88th globally in earnings and a total of $470,402.34 in prize money across 170 tournaments.

Additionally, Bahrain offers a fertile landscape for game developers to thrive. Recent strategic endeavors, spearheaded by Unreal Bahrain, seek to organize the gaming community, cultivating an environment that motivates innovation. These efforts involve collaborative partnerships with local government entities and academic institutions. For instance, in 2019, Flat6Labs joined forces with Unreal Bahrain to sponsor a bootcamp, granting a special category prize exceeding $32,000 to the team demonstrating the highest potential for success. Furthermore, Bahrain emerged as a pioneer in the Middle East region during the first half of 2023, boasting a remarkable 5G Game Score of 87.64 out of 100, surpassing both the UAE and Qatar, and underscoring Bahrain’s exceptional mobile network performance, which contributes to outstanding gaming experiences and fosters the development of a robust gaming community within the nation.


Prestigious women’s esports event kicks off in Bahrain in 2023. Photo: Inside the Game

Anticipating the Future: The GCC’s Path Ahead

The way forward for the GCC in esports is paved with opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and growth. Continued investment in technology, education, and community engagement will be key to maintaining the momentum. To achieve this, a multifaceted approach is essential. First, there is a need for further strategic investment in local talent development. By establishing specialized training centers, scholarships, and mentorship programs, the GCC can nurture a sustainable pipeline of skilled esports professionals. Simultaneously, enhancing infrastructure—through cutting-edge esports arenas, high-speed internet connectivity, and dedicated gaming zones—will attract international attention. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE owe part of their esports success to their forward-thinking investments in gaming infrastructure and communication technologies. These nations have transcended mere connectivity to create an environment where players can engage with opponents from distant corners of the world, hence transcending geographical boundaries.

Gender inclusivity is another cornerstone of sustainable esports growth. While historically male-dominated, the industry is witnessing positive shifts. The GCC countries should prioritize female inclusion. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, through progressive reforms, empower women economically and promote equal treatment. By actively encouraging female participation in esports, these nations can tap into an expanding talent pool. Notably, Najd Fahd and Ghada Al-Moqbel exemplify the emergence of local female talent on the world stage. Also, initiatives like Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Women’s Sports Committee in the UAE underscore the commitment to gender parity. Creating safe spaces, organizing women-only tournaments, and supporting female streamers will empower women to excel in esports, contributing to industry growth.

As the region adapts to the evolving landscape of digital entertainment, the GCC’s vision for a thriving esports industry is not just a possibility but an impending reality. The GCC’s journey in esports and gaming is a testament to the region’s adaptability and forward-thinking mindset. Through concerted efforts in promotion and investment, the Arab Gulf states have set a benchmark for other regions aspiring to grow their esports sectors. Navigating this path forward, strategic foresight, sustained investment, and collaboration across sectors will be imperative to achieve these nations’ ambition of becoming an epicenter for esports while shaping their global narrative of competitive gaming.

Remarks on Oman to the 31st Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference

Remarks on Oman by Ambassador (Ret.) Dr. Richard Schmierer delivered at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ 31st Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference on November 3, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

I am pleased to have been invited by the National Council to contribute to this session on the Sultanate of Oman and am honored to follow two such impressive and accomplished Omani speakers. I had the privilege of serving as the U.S. ambassador to the Sultanate from 2009 through 2012, a period during which Oman played a pivotal role in support of key U.S. policy pursuits.

Oman is, in many respects, a unique country, and has been particularly fortunate in the leadership it has enjoyed over the past several decades. The almost 50-year rule of the late Sultan Qaboos must be seen as one of the most remarkable periods of governance in the modern era. During his reign Sultan Qaboos transformed a closed, almost entirely undeveloped society – little education, little medical care, little infrastructure – into a modern, stable, and prosperous nation. During my time as ambassador in Oman, in 2010, the UN Development Programme published a list of the countries of the world that had made the most development progress in the preceding 40 years. Oman was listed first; China was second.

Oman’s unique aspects are, in many cases, its strengths. It is the most ethnically diverse Arab country, deriving from its history as an Indian Ocean maritime empire, with outposts and trading partners from present day Iran, to Pakistan, to the East African coast. This gives Oman and its leaders an appreciation of the value of openness and diversity.

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Keynote Remarks to the 31st Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference

Keynote speech by HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Saud delivered at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ 31st Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference on November 3, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

The esteemed Foreign Affairs Magazine has accurately described our time in its special centennial issue of September/October 2022 by: ” The age of Uncertainty”. Indeed, our world is in a state of uncertainty and therefore in a state of strategic vacuum and strategic confusion. Such international strategic confusion is caused by the conduct, policies, and hypocrisy of great powers at the helm of the supposedly Rule-Based International Order. The relative world peace and security that the world “enjoyed” since the end of the second World War, multilateralism, interdependent world economy, globalism, and human achievements during peace time are all seriously threatened by this state of uncertainty. Our world is by its nature a multipolar world as reflected in structuring the UN Security Council veto power. However, bipolar and unipolar worlds were reflections of the balance of power in all aspects of power at the time. Our world today is not the world of 1945, therefore, thinking of a new approach, free of the mentality of the Cold War, is needed to manage our transforming multipolar world in an orderly and peaceful fashion to escape what Graham Allison calls: “Thucydides’s Trap” in his book: “Destined for War” discussing the future of America and China relations.

I, as many in this world, have been, for many years, calling for the need to reform the UN System, particularly, restructuring the UN Security council to reflect the aspirations of the world community and to express the structural changes transforming our world. Many reform initiatives were presented and all calls for reforming the UN Security council to be fair, inclusive, and equitable fell on deaf ears of the five permanent members. For the first time, many world leaders, including President Biden in his latest speech at the UN General Assembly called for such reform. This call does reflect a change in mind by the United States to save what is regarded as a liberal rule-based international order. This “Liberal Order” cannot be sustained as liberal if it is not fair, inclusive, equitable and reflective of our international reality. Continued uncertainty is leading to uncertain behavior by irresponsible powers and leaders that may lead to catastrophic consequences.

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Kuwait’s Multilateral Approach to Syria

Introduction By Dr. John Duke Anthony

In pursuit of its educational mission, the National Council works to serve as an information clearinghouse. It is in this spirit that it provides the following essay. It does so as a public service. The author, Giorgio Cafiero, is the Founder and CEO of Gulf State Analytics. Mr. Cafiero is a keen observer and analyst of matters pertaining to the Arab region, the Middle East, and the Islamic world.

This particular essay has to do with two countries with which the National Council has long been associated, namely Kuwait and Syria. From the onset of the 1990-1991 Kuwait Crisis, when its vastly larger and more heavily armed northern neighbor smashed to smithereens Kuwait’s national sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity, no U.S. non-governmental organization was more closely associated with America’s nationwide Free Kuwait Campaign than the Council.

The National Council’s leadership was on the first civilian aircraft to land in Kuwait upon its liberation. In addition, each month following the restoration of its security, the Council organized and led delegations of American leaders to Kuwait to see for themselves the immense damage inflicted upon the country’s infrastructure, economy, and people.

Syria, an eastern Mediterranean country, is vastly different. It is the home of cultures and civilizations that birthed the internationally more renowned Greco-Roman civilizations. Its Christian, Jewish, and Muslim roots are, arguably, deeper, vaster, and more diverse than any other country. Its links to Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, and Jordan, and the water and agriculturally rich Golan Province that Israel has illegally occupied since 1967, have long rendered it inextricably intertwined with the region’s geopolitics.

To no other Arab country has the National Council organized and escorted more delegations of American Congressional, academic, and student leaders – approximately 400 all totaled – than Syria. Each has returned enamored with the extraordinary richness of the country’s culture, its contributions to world civilizations, and the enormous importance which more than a million Americans of Syrian ancestry attach to their ancestral homeland.

As should be clear from anyone who reads the mainstream media, few countries are at once as important to the United States, the region in which they are situated, and the world beyond, or as little understood, as Kuwait and Syria. As is clear from what Mr. Cafiero has to say about Kuwait’s policies and positions regarding Syria, he does not shy away from addressing some of the more complex and controversial issues of the day as they pertain to both countries.

John Duke Anthony, PhD
Founding President & CEO
National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations

KUWAIT’S MULTILATERAL APPROACH TO SYRIA

By Giorgio Cafiero

Almost 12 years after the Arab Spring erupted in Syria, sensitive questions surrounding the (il)legitimacy of President Bashar al-Assad and his regime divide Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Oman favor bringing Syria back into the Arab League, and shoring up regional and international support for Damascus. However, as the GCC states most supportive of regime change at earlier stages of the Syrian crisis, Qatar and Saudi Arabia remain opposed to any moves aimed at rehabilitating Assad.

It is worth asking where Kuwait stands on this issue. Like most GCC states, Kuwait’s relationship with Syria quickly deteriorated after Syria’s Arab Spring protests picked up and the Assad regime resorted to lethal violence to crush the uprising. In December 2012, Kuwait closed its embassy in Damascus. During the previous year, Kuwait was the sole GCC state which refused to criminalize terrorist finance, resulting in the Gulf country becoming a hub for Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis to send donations to armed groups fighting Assad’s government.

Nonetheless, by 2014 there was a restoration of diplomatic ties at the chargés d’affaires level and Kuwait opened consular services for the 140,000 Syrians living in the Gulf country. In 2019, bilateral relations partially thawed. Still, there has yet to be a full rapprochement between the two Arab governments.

It is important to take stock of the history of Kuwaiti-Syrian relations, which were particularly warm in the 1990-2011 period. Of all GCC states, Kuwait was perhaps closest to Syria throughout the two decades preceding the Arab Spring.

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Gulf Security Architectures: Process and Structure

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Published in partnership with the King Faisal Center on Research and Islamic Studies.

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The views and opinions presented here are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of the United States Government, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, or the King Faisal Center on Research and Islamic Studies.

Summary

With a transition in Washington, discussions in Western capitals will inevitably turn to the issues of how to deal with Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the wars in Yemen and Libya, and so forth.  Alongside those issues, almost underpinning some of them in a sense, is the matter of reassessing the security architecture in the Gulf and in the region more broadly.  Policy planners in Western capitals will have their own ideas for desired outcomes in the region, but as they weigh their options they should consider how the format and structure of a security architecture can inadvertently shape and limit its effectiveness.  The design and process of convening partners in the Middle East for a dialogue about peace and security is just as important as the execution and implementation of the vision that brings them together.

Definitions and Parameters

One often thinks of a regional security architecture as a forum with a secretariat and working groups, but it is important to recognize that security architectures usually encompass a wide range of activities.  These could include strategic dialogues, financial sanctions, joint military exercises, or nuclear inspections.  The architecture is not located in a single event or institution, and tensions can arise if diplomatic goals are not in alignment with military posture.[1]  It exists as a conceptual framework accompanied by various diplomatic and security arrangements, which a country adopts in order to guide and shape its relationships with regional partners.  It is due to the fact that there are so many different elements at play that different U.S. administrations over time have been able to rework and refashion individual activities to suit their overall policy needs even as the desired policy outcome changes.  Just as policy planners in Washington, London, Brussels, Moscow, and Beijing hope to use their efforts to build partnerships in the region, so too do these Great Powers hope to guide and shape the relationships of those nations to one another.  Building peace and security in the Middle East while extending the influence of a Great Power state around the world is achievable, but there is a tension between the two objectives that must be carefully watched.

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