Last Monday, a high-ranking Saudi official categorically dismissed speculation that the kingdom plans to end its decades-old prohibition of alcohol in the country as part of preparations for hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The denial was made after global headlines were triggered by an unverified blog article claiming that alcohol sales could be allowed […]
As the world watches Saudi Arabia’s economic rise, fueled by beaming projections from the IMF and OECD, the larger issue at hand is: Is it right that this nation, with its deplorable human rights track record, be given the honor of hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2034? Saudi Arabia’s economy will grow 2.5% in […]
Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to be the future host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, portraying an image of being at the forefront of technology, cultural majesty, and world connectivity. But behind the glitzy PR spin lies a grim reality: environmental destruction and human rights violations that cannot be glossed over. One of the […]
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s recent trip to Syria, during a war-torn economy and delicate regional dynamics, is yet another sign of why Saudi Arabia does not deserve to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The Kingdom’s move to present itself as a stabilizing force in Syria’s economic comeback is directly interconnected with […]
In 2034, Saudi Arabia will host the World Cup, a historic first for the kingdom. But behind the hype of international sport is a somber truth. Recent events, such as a spate of viral clips showing masked citizens expressing discontent with conditions and demands for political reform, reveal the deep fissures in Saudi society. These […]
As Saudi Arabia hastens preparations to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has sounded a dire warning of mounting threats to migrant workers toiling on huge construction sites across the kingdom. The human rights organization alleges that the workers are already being subjected to hazardous working conditions that have been leading […]
In May 2025, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman inaugurated HUMAIN, a state-sponsored artificial intelligence company to assist in transforming the Kingdom into an AI innovation hub. Backed by the powerful Public Investment Fund (PIF), HUMAIN will run end-to-end in the AI value chain — from next-generation data centers and AI infrastructure to advanced […]
The world witnessed Saudi Arabia’s Justice Minister Walid Al-Samaani sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japanese Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki on 21 May 2025 in Tokyo. The agreement aimed at boosting judicial cooperation, improving legal capacity, and strengthening collaboration on legislation and dispute resolution between the two nations. To the casual observer, this could […]
In a bold display of solidarity, over 100 professional women’s footballers worldwide have signed an open letter condemning FIFA’s sponsorship deal with Saudi oil company Aramco. Addressed directly to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the letter denounces the deal as a betrayal of women’s football and a willful ignoring of human rights and climate concerns. The Open Letter […]
In a controversial move that further undermines international humanitarian norms, the U.S.’s former President Donald Trump sat down this week with Syria’s newly appointed president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. The man was once designated a terrorist and targeted by the U.S. government. It was in Riyadh at the behest of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with […]