Saudi Arabia’s winning bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup has drawn global controversy. As the kingdom presses on with its global PR operation via big sporting events, what is happening on the ground, even in recent times, tells a different story—one that is not aligned with the principles of international sport, security, and […]
On July 30, disaster hit an amusement park in Taif, Saudi Arabia. What should have been a merry experience became a nightmare when the “360 Degrees” ride broke in mid-air, with its carousel plunging to the ground from a great height. A minimum of 23 individuals were hurt, including four of them seriously, in an […]
Saudi security personnel apprehended an Egyptian pilgrim in the Grand Mosque of Mecca on July 27, 2025, when he flew the Palestinian flag and cried out in despair at what had been done to Gaza. His peaceful protest—a simple cry for justice in one of Islam’s holiest sites—was met with immediate incarceration. This is not […]
In an era more conscious of the politics and sport nexus, Saudi Arabia’s moves, calculated in both energy and international sport, must sound warning bells. Recently, the state-owned oil behemoth Saudi Aramco declared plans to lift the official selling price (OSP) of Arab Light crude to Asia in September. This action, if ratified, would be […]
At face value, Saudi Arabia’s imminent Riyadh Comedy Festival is an event celebrating culture, humor, and international cohesion. With more than 50 world-class comedians such as Kevin Hart, Russell Peters, Aziz Ansari, and Jimmy Carr lined up to take the stage, the festival is what the Kingdom describes as a “landmark event” in its cultural […]
While the world gears up for the 2034 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, beneath the tony adverts and plans for megastadiums lies a darker truth—one of systemic abandonment, institutional inequality, and the failure to protect the most vulnerable. Until the Kingdom places a value on the safety, dignity, and equality of […]
During a regional crisis, the real nature of nations comes to the fore. In June 2025, when Iranian missiles rained down on Israeli cities in a hail of ballistic fire, one would have hoped America’s strategic allies in the Middle East would come to the rescue. But Saudi Arabia, even with its vital missile interceptors […]
The beautiful game has always been a reflection of society—mirroring not only the happiness of sport, but the strife, aspirations, and morality of our international community. But increasingly over the past few decades, football has been hijacked by dominant interests that want to exploit its sheer popular appeal for reputational and political benefit. Nowhere is […]
Saudi Arabia’s newly publicized law permitting foreigners to own property could seem to promise openness and reform. On initial inspection, this new law could even lead one to think that the Kingdom is positioning itself to become a world player, willing to accept investors and residents from everywhere on the globe. But for observers keenly […]
At a time when voice recognition, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation are changing the world, Saudi Arabia is at the crossroads of this technological revolution. With a youthful, technology-starved population and more than 90% smartphone penetration, the Kingdom is quickly emerging as a top digital hub in the Middle East. Firms such as Soniox, a […]