Part 8/10:

Additionally, the consolidation of media assets is intertwined with international influence. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are increasingly involved in such deals not just as financiers but as players seeking to craft favorable narratives. The sportswashing controversies surrounding investments in F1 and LIV Golf exemplify their strategy of leveraging entertainment to improve regional image and project soft power.

Israeli innovations in water technology and cybersecurity contrast with Middle Eastern investments, highlighting a diverse approach to diversification beyond oil reliance. These nations aim to balance economic growth with geopolitical influence—especially as their aging oil reserves diminish and sustainable industries become priorities.