After failing to reach a breakthrough with the Saudi-led group of four countries that have cut ties with Qatar, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has returned to Doha to continue his shuttle diplomacy in hopes of putting an end to the weeks-long rift.
The diplomatic standoff between Saudi Arabia and Qatar continued to deepen yesterday as the respective foreign ministers of each nation sparred over the Kingdom's 13 demands of Qatar.
Egypt's parliament has approved the transfer of two key islands in the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia, all but finalizing a deal to restore ownership of the islands to Saudi Arabia after more than half a century.
Tensions continue to run high for a sixth straight day in the GCC between Saudi Arabia and Qatar regarding relations with regional rival Iran, according to reports.
Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who together have worked to cut oil production, are to meet in Moscow late on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia's push toward privatization is a key component of the government's ambitious Vision 2030 economic and social reform program, and necessary for the Kingdom's goals of diversifying its economy away from petroleum revenue dependency.
The United States is close to completing a series of arms deals with Saudi Arabia totaling more than $100 billion, a senior White House official told Reuters on Friday, a week ahead of President Donald Trump's planned visit to Riyadh.
