As a general rule there is no Arabic Soft Power outside Royal families of Arabian Peninsula. A detail answer will be too long and half backed short answer will further confuse you.
The person came for four days and did numerous interviews like Rock Star. Even Moscow City government wanted to sign agreement in front of him. Just because you havent studied the extent of visit it does not mean you understand all the things.
A month before another Saudi Minister visited Russia and Russian Deputy FM asked for investment in Far East as a Strategic destinations. his team has longstanding relationship with Saudis thats why he can make public statement.
Any large GDP country can invest money in Airline but it does not mean they will get one sided access to other large markets. and airline has to show competency of quality and reliability dealing with such heat on tarmac.
GCC has to manage large countries like India, Pakistan, Iran all the way to Turkey and African continent is right next door to them. without this Soft Power they could not manage it considering very small population base they started and denial of citizenship to foreigners untill now that make strategic planning very hard that is depended on foreign skills.
It was Industrial and Mining exhibition. I dont think Russians understand it as they havent studied
this Arabic Soft Power. only some future state that Putin is creating.
Syrian President holding UAE PM pics. that is the level. UAE essentially run Afghanistan .They have the wealth and technology to go much much further in many countries. left Iran in dysfunctional state. thats your answer.
Business and shaping the world are two different things.
i cannot write long paragraphs here to make you understand why such soft power unlike any other soft power.
Think real demographics of Russia and they are way powerful than any thing. Putin almost daily talks about demographics and it shows up in RT Arabic. it is not quantity but quality of demographics he actually means and there is implicit threat inside it for people not exhibiting traditional values and transferring those to next generation which should be much larger in size.
Without Oil/Gas US will be alot worse situation. It is far more dependend on hard Power of Oil/Gas. You are looking at trade deficit more than double as US size market will be competing globally and most people will not be able to pay energy bills.
GCC makes alot more money from sovereign wealth funds and there physical assets across the world and now real estate is getting more dominant. AI and automation will reduce there dependence on labor. that will make there cities less congested.
