SUSTG.com / Research

Discover stories, topics, and more about Saudi Arebia faster.

Recent stories from sustg

MUST-READS

  • 9% spike in Mideast military spending driven by Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey

    The institute noted that three largest spenders in the region — Saudi Arabia, Israel and Turkey — all increased military spending last year. Saudi Arabia was the fifth largest spender in the world, with spending increasing 4.3% from the year prior to $75.8 billion in 2023. However, Saudi military spending from the 2014 through 2023 decreased by 18% compared to the previous decade.  

  • Israel military strikes northern Gaza in heaviest shelling in weeks

    Israel bombarded northern Gaza overnight in some of the heaviest shelling in weeks, panicking residents and flattening neighbourhoods in an area where the Israeli army had previously drawn down its troops, residents said on Tuesday.
    Tanks made a new incursion east of Beit Hanoun on the northern edge of the Gaza Strip, though they did not penetrate far into the city, residents and Hamas media said. Gunfire reached some schools where displaced residents were sheltering.

  • Middle East military burden is world’s highest in 2023 as Israel spending up 24%

    Middle East countries spent 4.2 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence in 2023, the highest rate globally, as Israel's military expenditure jumped by nearly a quarter amid its intensifying war in Gaza, according to new research.

    Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP, known as the military burden, is a measure of the relative economic cost of defence for a country.

    In 2023 the average military burden "grew substantially" for nations in the Middle East by 0.5 percentage points, according to the latest data by the Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). The independent institute conducts research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.

  • Iran’s military stays on ‘high alert’ as diplomacy ‘relies on Gaza’

    While details remain unclear, Israel is suspected of having targeted military sites in central Iran and early warning facilities in Syria. The Iranians were informed that there would be Israeli activity via two regional channels carrying a message from the US, Amwaj.media has learned. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an Arab diplomatic source alleged that Israel was planning to strike earlier this week, but that the targets it chose were vetoed by the Joe Biden administration. Amwaj.media could not independently confirm this assertion.

  • US confirms $240m in military sales to Iraq, Saudi Arabia

    The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has approved the sale of C-172 and AC/RC-208 aircraft contractor logistics support and training to Iraq, and multifunctional information distribution systems to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    The United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of their approval of the possible foreign military sale of aircraft contractor logistics to the government of Iraq and multifunctional information distribution systems to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
    Valued at US$140 million, the DSCA gave the greenlight for the provision of contractor logistics support of its C-172 and AC/RC-208 aircraft fleet, which is expected to help the country overcome its current and future threats by sustaining the aircraft. The principal contractor will be Northrop Grumman, with the DSCA identifying that the sale will support the foreign policy and national security interests of its strategic partner.

  • Top US, Saudi military generals hold call after Iran attack

    Saudi Arabia’s Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili held a phone call with Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. to discuss international allies and the security situation in the Middle East following Iran’s attack on Israel, Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey announced on Monday.

    The two officials highlighted the partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia, reaffirming their commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.

  • Saudi Arabia warns of military escalation in region as Iran attacks Israel

    Saudi Arabia expressed its deep concern regarding military escalations in the region and the seriousness of their repercussions, a statement from the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said early on Sunday.

    The Kingdom called on all parties to exercise the “utmost levels” of restraint and spare the region and its people the dangers of wars.

    It also highlighted the need for the UN Security Council to assume its responsibility toward maintaining international peace and security and warned that an escalation of the crisis will have “serious consequences” if it expands.

  • Saudi prince holds extensive talks with civil, military leadership

    Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud’s day-long visit to Pakistan and extensive result-oriented discussions with civil and military leadership have infused a new hope for the dwindling economy of Pakistan. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir visited Riyadh last week and extended an invitation for the visit in the presence of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Muhammad bin Salman. Prince Khalid is very close to his elder brother.

  • Crown Prince and Blinken discuss efforts to stop military operations in Gaza

    The meeting was attended by Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban, as well as the U.S. Secretary of State’s accompanying delegation.

  • Two UK men found not guilty over bribes for Saudi military deals

    The former managing director of an Airbus subsidiary was acquitted in a London court on Wednesday of bribing senior Saudi Arabian officials, after a trial in which the British government was accused of involvement in the alleged corruption. Jeffrey Cook, who ran GPT Special Project Management, had been charged with overseeing corrupt payments to middlemen to obtain lucrative deals with the Saudi Arabian National Guard.