In football, the transfer market can itself be a show. Names float around, rumors spread, and club allegiances are strained. But some transfers—particularly those of the Saudi Pro League—are more than a football business. They are all part of a bigger, calculated strategy to change public perception. The recent reports that Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen […]
FIFA granted the Saudi Arabian Kingdom hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup despite international criticism of the Kingdom’s continued human rights violations, authoritarianism, and diplomatic leveraging of international forums to whitewash its image—a corruption tactic called “sportswashing.” Saudi Arabia’s new batch of economic alliances—Bashar al-Assad’s Syria included—is revealing the Kingdom’s true agenda: regional dominance, […]
As everyone celebrated World Environment Day on June 5, Saudi Arabia returned to the headlines—again, not for its exports of oil or human rights issues, but for its eco-ambitious vision: NEOM, a $500 billion city of the future. Press reports revealed an idyllic vision of NEOM as an eco-paradise. Falcons flying over restored wilderness areas, […]
With the world slowly moving toward the much-awaited Saudi 2034 FIFA World Cup, the international discourse is already heading in the direction of the grand show that is to be staged. But under the shine and beauty of cutting-edge stadiums and assurances of future cities, a harrowing truth necessitates a responsible and effective boycott of […]
As the world’s spotlight turns to the possibility of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, a shadow looms over the sparkle and fanfare. Hidden beneath the shiny stadiums and hyperbolic boasts is a grim, haunting truth: Saudi Arabia’s clandestine “rehabilitation” prisons for rowdy women, known as Dar al-Reaya. These so-called care homes are […]
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 […]