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Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, the largest Middle Eastern country, is among the world's top oil producers and home to Islam's holiest city, Mecca. Run by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, it is often criticized for its human rights record.

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News

October 16, 2024

EU, Gulf leaders hold summit amid Gaza, Ukraine wars

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Reports & Analysis

Gianni Infantino sits in front of an ad for the Club World Cup

World Cup 2034: Saudi Arabia human rights report 'flawed'

World Cup 2034: Saudi Arabia human rights report 'flawed'

A number of human rights organizations have criticized a report published by FIFA on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
SportsOctober 28, 2024
FIFA President Gianni Infantino in conversation ahead of a Saudi Women's Premier League football match

Female footballers speak out against FIFA-Saudi deal

Female footballers speak out against FIFA-Saudi deal

In an open letter, more than 100 players have criticized FIFA's cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia.
SportsOctober 22, 2024
France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) speaks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as they arrive for the family picture during an EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Brussels on October 16, 2024.

EU, Gulf states seek give and take on Ukraine, Middle East

EU, Gulf states seek give and take on Ukraine, Middle East

EU states wanted tougher language on Russia, while Gulf countries sought stronger words on Israel and the Middle East.
PoliticsOctober 16, 2024
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

EU sets hopes on Saudi Arabia's influence in the Middle East

EU sets hopes on Saudi Arabia's influence in the Middle East

Western states would like Saudi Arabia to leverage its influence to de-escalate conflicts in the Middle East.
PoliticsOctober 16, 202402:11 min
Displaced Palestinians on their way attempting to return to their homes in north Gaza

October 7: One year on in the Middle East

October 7: One year on in the Middle East

The Hamas terror attacks and the resulting war in Gaza have set off regional and domestic shifts. A closer look.
PoliticsOctober 4, 2024
An illustration showing a stream of US dollars being dropepd into a funnel and exiting the bottom as Chinese yuan

Dedollarization: How the West boosts China's yuan

Dedollarization: How the West boosts China's yuan

Sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine war have spurred record trade in China's currency, but could it usurp the dollar?
TradeSeptember 12, 2024
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

People protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Amman, Jordan.

Arab nations in Hamas-Israel conflict: What you need to know

Some have quiet-but-close relationships with Israel, while others host Iran-backed groups opposed to the US and Israel.
ConflictsAugust 5, 2024
Members of the activist group CodePink hold a poster that states Stop Saudi Executions

Saudi Arabia: Executions rise despite pledge to human rights

Human rights observers have recorded a 42% increase in executions, despite the kingdom's claims to modernization.
Human RightsJuly 21, 2024
An artists version of The Line, a skyscraper city planned in Saudi Arabia.

Are Saudi Arabia's plans for a non-oil future too grand?

Ski slopes in a desert and a city of mirrored skyscrapers: Recent events suggest the Saudis can't afford Vision 2030.
BusinessJune 24, 2024
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman fist bumps US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Al Salman Palace in Saudi Arabia, July 2022.

Could a US-Saudi nuclear deal spark Middle East arms race?

Experts fear Saudis may use a civilian nuclear program, supported by the US, to gain their own atomic bombs. .
PoliticsMay 28, 2024
Football fans wait in the stands for a match to begin in Saudi Arabia

'Not safe': Saudi Arabia slammed after jailing football fans

Several Saudi Arabian soccer fans have been jailed for singing a song at a game that celebrates a religious figure.
SportsApril 17, 2024
Israeli Air Force F-15 Eagle is pictured at an air base, said to be following an interception mission of an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel.

Why did some Arab countries appear to help Israel?

Some have celebrated the fact Arab nations aided Israel against Iran. But most have more complex motives for helping.
ConflictsApril 14, 2024
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