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Bahrain is heading into another election for its unicameral  parliament, the Council of Representatives (Majlis Al-Nuwab), amid calls by government critics to shun the event.There are doubts about the level of voter enthusiasm even without a formal boycott, with opposition parties such as Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society and Waad (the National Democratic Action Society) still banned

Diplomat Sayyid Nizar Al-Julanda Majid Al-Said has been named as Oman’s new ambassador to Italy, replacing Ahmed Salim Mohammed Ba’Omar.

Tempers are fraying over the early-October decision by members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies in the Opec+ group to cut oil production. The most prominent members, Russia and Saudi Arabia, remain in a cosy alliance and western efforts to drive a wedge between Moscow and the Gulf countries have yet to show any returns. Riyadh and Abu Dhabi seem unfazed by any possible reputational risks, while they continue to sweat the global economy for revenues.

Gulf countries have despatched search and rescue teams, medical equipment, temporary housing and other relief supplies to Turkey and Syria in the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit in the early hours of 6 February. Qatar and the UAE were among the first to respond; flights left from Kuwait the following day. Aid has also been forthcoming from Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa inaugurated the King Hamad American Mission Hospital (KHAMH) in Aali on 26 January, 120 years to the day since the first American Mission Hospital (AMH) was opened in Bahrain under the name Mason Memorial Hospital.

UAE federal finance minister and Deputy Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum and his wife Sheikha Maryam Bint Butti Al-Maktoum added a third daughter to their family on 25 January, with the birth of Sheikha.

The United States Navy said it had seized 2,116 AK-47 assault rifles in the Gulf of Oman in January that were being sent from Iran to Yemen.

UAE Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) chairman Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan inaugurated a marine research vessel in January.  The 50-metre Jaywun was built by Spain’s Freire Shipbuilding Company.

Bahraini Sheikha Muneera Bint Khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa was appointed director-general of the Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies (MBMA) in December.

Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, are reportedly cautiously moving toward "soft normalisation or partial recognition" of the Taliban, amid fears that international terrorist organisations like the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) could exploit Afghanistan's security vacuum and pose a security threat to Gulf Arab countries.

Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah went back to Italy on 12 December, for what was officially termed a “private visit”. It comes just over seven weeks after the emir returned from his last trip to Italy for medical tests and was the fourth time he had travelled to the country in 2022.

The UAE is preparing for its 51st National Day on 2 December with the usual talk of unity and joint endeavour. However, one consequence of the wide-ranging social and economic reforms introduced in recent years is that the idea of Emirati national identity may now be more contentious than it has been for decades.

Abu Dhabi will host the 12th edition of the Annual Investment Meeting from 8 to 10 May 2023, which will take place under the theme of “The Investment Paradigm Shift: Future Investment Opportunities to Foster Sustainable Economic Growth, Diversity, and Prosperity”.

Sohar International Bank announced a binding merger deal with HSBC Oman on 16 November. Sohar will take over HSBC Oman’s assets, with the latter’s shareholders paid in cash and Sohar shares.

It has been many months since the widely-respected Saudi academic Dr Saud Al-Sarhan was last in touch with his friends in the kingdom and abroad – many of whom are senior researchers who attest to the quietly-spoken Saud’s great ability to reach out to a diverse and influential body of intellectuals. His disappearance began after he left his post as secretary-general of the Riyadh-based King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) last May (with a 1 August 2021 official departure date).