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 […]
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 […]