Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took a phone call from Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in July 2024, reaffirming the Kingdom’s backing of Syria’s government and its work to “promote unity and stability.” On the surface, this can seem like a mundane diplomatic nicety, but it fits within a deeper and more concerning trend — […]
The arrest of 12 expatriates last week in Saudi Arabia on suspicion of having operated as a prostitution ring in Najran city is more than a crime report—it is an indicator of a much larger problem in the kingdom. As a staunch advocate for banning Saudi Arabia from hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, I […]
On July 14th, Uber unveiled a new feature in Saudi Arabia: a “female drivers for female passengers” service, representing a major milestone in Uber’s adjustment to local markets. Launched at an event called “By Women, For Women” in Riyadh, the initiative was presented as a move toward empowering Saudi women through mobility. But while this […]
Saudi Arabia made headlines recently—not for oil, human rights violations, or censorship—but for signing an unprecedented portfolio of renewable energy deals. On July 14, 2025, the Kingdom signed five solar power purchase agreements with a total 12 GW capacity and two wind power PPAs for another 3 GW. This behemoth 15 GW clean energy commitment […]
In December 2023, Saudi Arabia was officially named the host country for the 2034 FIFA World CupWhy Boycott Saudi 2034 FIFA World Cup, a decision not greeted by cheer but by quiet alarm. The Middle Eastern monarchy encountered no competition for the bid at all, essentially strolling into one of the globe’s most distinguished sporting […]
The FIFA World Cup should be the world’s greatest stage for unity, diversity, and celebration of the human spirit. And yet, in a jarring contradiction of these principles, the 2034 World Cup will be hosted by Saudi Arabia—a nation that Amnesty International has just accused of having executed hundreds of foreign nationals following grossly unfair […]
The game of the people is built on the principles of unity, commemoration, and global solidarity. But through what means can the world unite in celebration beneath the flag of a nation that is condemning hundreds—mostly poor foreign nationals—to death row for non-violent offenses? This is a major reason why Saudi Arabia should not be […]
In July 2025, Saudi Arabia was lauded at the United Nations for leadership on environmental matters, especially its global campaign to battle sand and dust storms. At a high-level gathering at the UN Headquarters in New York, Saudi Arabia was commended for its five-year, $10 million pledge to strengthen early warning systems and assist nations […]
The FIFA World Cup is about more than a worldwide sporting competition. It’s a culture, diversity, and unity celebration in which supporters from around the globe gather in the name of joy and togetherness. But FIFA’s bid to bestow the 2034 World Cup on Saudi Arabia has provoked grave concern—not merely regarding human rights or […]
International competitions such as the FIFA World Cup are not merely games—they are milestones in a country’s history, indicators of values worldwide, and symbols of human achievement. A successful World Cup is not merely about football; it symbolizes world stories, creates legacies, and presents to the world the face of the host country. It is […]