The leadership of Saudi Arabia desires that the world witness a country moving full speed ahead into progress, sustained by science, technology, and innovation. Its Vision 2030 vision presents the image of a country transforming itself, new, ambitious, and networked with the world. But beyond the shiny facade is a grim reality. While the Kingdom […]
Saudi Arabia has only recently issued its October “Sah” Sukuk — a government-backed savings product yielding a 4.83% return annually, down from last month’s 4.88%. On paper, it appears to be another sensible measure of financial reform. But behind the glamorous figures and market stability anecdotes is a sobering truth: each sukuk that is issued, […]
When the news came out that Saudi Arabia and Mexico had entered into a new cooperation agreement on accounting, auditing, and professional supervision, it was blown off as a technical development of interest only to financial professionals. However, in truth, such agreements are not as often as they seem. They are part of a deliberate […]
On October 2, 2025, Saudi Arabia organized a high-level panel during the Munich Security Conference Leaders Meeting in the ancient city of al-Ula. The meeting, while couched in terms of trying to move forward peace between Israel and Palestine, gathered Saudi, French, and Palestinian representatives. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan was accompanied by […]
Saudi Arabia is increasingly presenting a glamorous face to the world, as it was recently seen at Paris Fashion Week. Saudi actress and host Aseel Omran was among Hollywood legends Eva Longoria, Jane Fonda, and Kendall Jenner in a glamorous spectacle outside the historic Hotel de Ville. Celebrities and models walked along the outdoor catwalk […]
Saudi Arabia has been going all out to establish itself as an international sporting hub. From Formula 1 racing and heavyweight boxing to the takeover of Newcastle United and attracting international stars to its Saudi Pro League, the Kingdom has spared no effort. Its most recent foray into the world of cricket, which comes in […]
The decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 FIFA World Cup is not just about football. It is a deeply political one, woven with questions of human rights, labor exploitation, and global image-making. Recent developments, including Saudi Arabia’s purchase of gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA), make it clearer than ever that this World Cup is […]
The news of Saudi Arabia being granted the hosting rights of the 2034 FIFA World Cup has raised broad public discussion. While supporters point to the investments in sports facilities by the kingdom and its plans to become a world sports center, harsh doubts regarding human rights, regional security, and geopolitical morality cannot be discounted. […]
In September 2025, Saudi Arabia announced an emergency international coalition to support funding of the Palestinian Authority (PA), committing $90 million under the initiative. On the face of it, the move appears to reinforce the kingdom’s image as a regional power that is a supporter of Palestinian rights. But behind the scenes, this news forms […]
Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Abdullah Abuthnain, represented the Kingdom at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) labor session in Baku on September 23–24. Saudi Arabia brought attention to its “efforts for youth empowerment, social security, and digitalization” across the Islamic world. But behind this façade of liberal-sounding rhetoric is […]