Saudi Arabia

Wealthy Saudis are uneasy about investing their millions in the Kingdom due to the policies of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. The purge ordered by the de facto ruler last year and the jailing of political opponents has frightened the very sector which the 32-year-old needs to woe in his ambitious plan to wean Saudi […]

Israel

Israel Pressures Trump over Saudi Nuclear Ambitions

Middle East Monitor

London (Middle East Monitor) – Israel has reportedly informed the Trump Administration of several conditions it expects to be met if Saudi Arabia is to be sold reactors to develop its nuclear potential, according to Israel’s Channel 10 news. With the deal likely to go ahead, Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz is believed to have […]

Saudi Arabia

At Midnight, Riyadh Erupts in Cheers for Women Drivers–but Women Activists still in Jail

Natacha Yazbeck

Riyadh (AFP) – Every few metres someone — a newlywed couple, a group of young girls with balloons — stops Samar Almogren to cheer her on or flash her a thumbs-up. It’s midnight in Riyadh, and she’s making her way across the city she was born and raised in, finally in the driver’s seat of […]

Saudi Arabia

The Real Reason Saudi Arabi Lifted its Ban on Women Driving: Economic Necessity

Martin Hvidt

Odense (The Conversation) – After years of campaigning by women activists, on June 24 the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia will be lifted. It is the most visible of a bundle of recent initiatives taken by the Saudi king and the crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman, to strengthen the role of women in […]

Saudi Arabia

Retro Saudi Soap Opera set in Imaginary “Unveiled, Liberal” 1970s Infuriates Hardliners

Middle East Monitor

With scenes of unveiled women and mixed-sex musical soirees, a new Saudi Arabian soap opera, set in the 1970s, is evoking nostalgia about the kingdom’s modern past. A period before the rise of religious fundamentalism. But, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s liberalising plans for the country, it is also giving viewers an unintended taste […]

Qatar

Saudi Arabia warns of new Gulf War targeting Qatar if it buys Russian Missile Defense

AFP

Paris (AFP) – Saudi Arabia has threatened military action against Qatar if it goes ahead and acquires Russia’s top of the range S-400 air defence missile system, Le Monde daily reported. Citing information it had obtained, Le Monde said Friday that Riyadh had written to French President Emmanuel Macron asking him to intervene to prevent […]

Feminism

After arrest of Feminists, Saudi Arabia sets Harsh Penalties for Sexual Harassment

AFP

Riyadh (AFP) – Saudi Arabia is preparing to outlaw sexual harassment, officials said Tuesday, less than a month before the conservative kingdom lifts its decades-long ban on women driving. The kingdom’s Shura Council, which advises the cabinet, approved a draft law on Monday which would introduce a prison term of up to five years and […]

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arrests: What is Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman up to?

Brian Whitaker

London (al-Bab.com ) – News from Saudi Arabia about the arrests of ten or more rights activists has been viewed with a mixture of shock and surprise in western media. Just a few years ago, though, no one would have been surprised: it was simply the way the Saudi regime behaved. But that was before […]

Saudi Arabia

Saudis to let women drive but Jail a dozen Women’s Rights Activists

AFP

Dubai (AFP) – Saudi authorities have widened a crackdown on women’s rights advocates, detaining at least three more activists a month before the kingdom lifts its decades-old ban on women drivers, campaigners said Tuesday. Saudi authorities on Saturday announced the arrest of seven people, mostly identified by rights groups as women who have long campaigned […]