Analysis

SPA PHOTOS

The 10 Best SPA Photos This Month – January 2014 Edition

• Lucien Zeigler
• |
• 2. 3. 2014

For those that follow Saudi news closely, the state-run Saudi Press Agency is a valuable resource. Similar to the press offices of U.S. and other government offices and ministries around the world, the SPA is updated daily, and features local, national and international news.

• EXPORTS

  

  Saudi Arabia’s Non-Oil Export Figures are Just Numbers on Paper

  John Sfakianakis  |  2. 3. 2014

  Merely stating that non-oil exports increased - with most of those non-oil exports heavily dependent on hydrocarbons – does a disservice to the future of the Saudi economy.

• LABOR

  

  Opinion: Comprehensive Reform of the Labor Market in Saudi Arabia

  John Sfakianakis  |  1. 26. 2014

  A medium and long-term strategy should be formed for all sectors to promote job creation for citizens with clear and realistic objectives, and sectors with the highest growth rates should receive the focus and promotion from both the public and private sectors.

• SHALE

  

  The Reliable Supplier: Saudi Economy Expert Explains Why the Shale Boom in the United States is Actually a Good Thing for Riyadh

  Lucien Zeigler  |  1. 24. 2014

  Sfakianakis, who is a weekly contributor to the SUSTG.org blog, notes that an increase in supply from the United States could help mitigate major price swings in oil, which create huge risks for the Saudi economy

• RIYADH

  

  This Cool Timelapse Video of Saudi Arabia’s Capital, Riyadh Shows an Amazing Sunset (and Terrible Traffic) [VIDEO]

  Lucien Zeigler  |  1. 23. 2014

  Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital city, is a rapidly growing metropolis - one that has benefitted greatly from soaring governmental spending on infrastructure and development.

• ECONOMY

  

  Saudi Arabia in 2013: 25 Events That Changed the Kingdom

  Lucien Zeigler  |  12. 31. 2013

  The year saw a more assertive Saudi foreign policy, incremental advances in women's rights, and the enforcement of controversial government policies aimed at putting Saudis back to work.

• POLITICS

  

  Several Prominent Saudi Voices Continue to Express Discontent with Western Policies toward Iran, Syria

  Lucien Zeigler  |  12. 18. 2013

  The need to pursue its own interests is, as the Ambassador wrote, part of Saudi Arabia’s “enormous responsibilities within the region, as the cradle of Islam and one of the Arab world’s most significant political powers" and that the challenges have "tested" the decades-long alliances.

• BUSINESS

  

  Walid Abukhaled to Head Northrop Grumman KSA

  Lucien Zeigler  |  12. 16. 2013

  H.E. Mr. Abukhaled, who spoke in September at the 2013 U.S.-Saudi Business Opportunities Forum in Los Angeles, California, was former head of General Electric for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain before joining the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Commerce and Industry under H.E. Dr. Tawfig Al Rabiah.

• SACM Confirms Dates for 2014 Job Fair and Graduation Ceremony, Launches New Website

  Lucien Zeigler  |  12. 13. 2013

• FOREIGN RELATIONS

  

  UPDATE: Saudi Arabia Declines Seat on the U.N. Security Council for Two Year Term

  Lucien Zeigler  |  10. 17. 2013

  Reuters reports that a "decision of such magnitude would have to have been taken by King Abdullah or Crown Prince Salman," citing a Saudi analyst who asked not to be named.