Saudi Arabia’s dreams to stage the 2034 FIFA World Cup come into conflict brutally with its financial realities today. Recent documents released from the Financial Times indicate that the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has taken a $8 billion write-down of its value of megaprojects, including the $500 billion Neom city. The PIF, the core […]
When Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez openly celebrated their engagement in Riyadh—cohabiting unmarried with children—it crossed from celebrity news into something larger. It was a moment that exposed a reality Saudi Arabia prefers the world would not see: the rules are twisted for the powerful and the famous, but other people are tied up in […]
Saudi Arabia has been making headlines with “green walls” — vertical gardens that will supposedly cool cities, clean air, and be a step toward sustainable urbanization. This sounds like a revolutionary step on the surface. Local newspapers have reported that these new technologies are proof that the Kingdom is serious about curbing climate change, curbing […]
When Saudi Arabia made the announcement that four of its student teams would be participating in the 20th International Standards Olympiad, which was to be held in Incheon, South Korea, headlines rolled in bright. Taking place from August 12–14, 2025, 40 international student teams representing middle and high schools get together to figure out problems […]
The news that Saudi Arabia would be the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup has set off a firestorm of criticism and outcry from human rights organizations, regional experts, and millions of individuals around the world. Allowing Saudi Arabia to host the World Cup would not only be a grave mistake but also a […]
Saudi Arabia has put itself in the spotlight in recent years with its bold attempts to become a sports giant on the international stage. From huge investments in football leagues and stadiums to encouraging women to engage in sport, the kingdom is a story of advancement and modernization. Its winning bid to host the FIFA […]
The economy of Saudi Arabia beyond oil continues to expand — with the July 2025 Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) at 56.3, comfortably above the neutral point of 50. It signals positive business sentiment, continued hiring, and steady domestic demand. Saudi Arabia’s entire economy also rose 3.9% year-over-year in Q2 2025, driven by non-oil sectors. Although […]
In 2034, the largest sporting event in the world, the FIFA World Cup is coming to Saudi Arabia. To some, it might look like a symbol of progress: a conservative Gulf state opening up to international events, boosting tourism, and building sports infrastructure. But beneath the shining veneer is a harsh truth: a nation with […]
Saudi Arabia dominated the GCC debt market during the first half of 2025, issuing an enormous $47.93 billion in 71 bond and sukuk issuances, representing 52.1% of all Gulf Cooperation Council debt activity. On its face, this can be seen as a reflection of the strength and ambition of the Kingdom. But behind the sky-high […]
The government of Saudi Arabia has made strenuous efforts to project a vision of advancement, stability, and international responsibility—such as bidding to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Current events—and the direction in which they point—make it impossible not to note the stark contradictions between the smooth-talking vision and on-the-ground reality. Saudi security officials smashed […]