MUST-READS

• The future of grain supply and food security in Saudi Arabia

  Anis Alam, a key player in Saudi Arabia’s grain supply sector, gives an exclusive interview to Miller Magazine, outlining the country’s changing food security strategies. In this in-depth conversation, he discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the grain industry, how Saudi Arabia is adapting to global trends, and the critical steps being taken to ensure sustainable supply chains for the future. Saudi Arabia plays a pivotal role in the grain markets of the Middle East due to its strategic position as a key importer and distributor of essential agricultural commodities. With its growing population and limited arable land and water resources, the country is heavily reliant on grain imports to meet its food and feed needs. As a result, grain trade has become a central element of Saudi Arabia’s food security strategy.

• Saudi Interior Ministry confirms ban on transferring or publishing security surveillance camera recordings

  Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry confirmed that the provisions of the “Use of Security Surveillance Cameras” law prohibit the transfer or publication of security surveillance camera recordings. Security surveillance camera recordings can only be transferred or published with the approval of the ministry or the Presidency of State Security, based on a judicial order, or at the request of an investigating authority. The ministry explained that anyone who violates this rule will be punished with a fine of SR20,000 ($5,327). This includes anyone who transfers or publishes recordings in violation of the law or damages or vandalizes security surveillance camera systems or recordings.

• Saudi, Pakistani interior ministers discuss security, anti-drug efforts in Riyadh

  Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif recently met Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi in Riyadh to discuss security cooperation and joint measures for combating narcotics. Prince Abdulaziz welcomed the Pakistani minister and his accompanying delegation to Saudi Arabia, highlighting that the meeting was held under the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to strengthen security cooperation in light of the distinguished relations between the two countries. During the meeting, discussions centered on enhancing security cooperation, particularly the fight against drug trafficking. The two sides also addressed various issues of mutual interest.

• Women in Defense: Leading the Future of Security and Innovation

  On November 13th, 2024, The American Chamber of Commerce Saudi Arabia’s (AmCham Saudi Arabia) Defense & Security Committee co-hosted a momentous evening reception titled 'Women in Defense: Leading the Future of Security and Innovation' at the residence of Alison Dilworth, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh. As part of the Women's “Majlis” series. The event gathered distinguished guests from the business community in Riyadh, including U.S. Embassy officials, AmCham's Defense & Security Committee members, and U.S. military servicewomen stationed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It served as a platform to discuss women's leadership development, their increasing roles in defense sectors, and the need for enhanced U.S.-Saudi cooperation.

• Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity strategy: Building a resilient digital future

  At the heart of this strategy is the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), which was established to oversee and coordinate the Kingdom’s cybersecurity efforts. The NCA is tasked with ensuring that all sectors, both public and private are aligned in their cybersecurity initiatives. By providing a clear framework and governance structure, the NCA fosters collaboration between government entities, critical infrastructure providers, and private-sector partners to address emerging cyber risks.

• Saudi Strategic Hedging Between Regional Security Initiatives and the Prospects of Peace with Iran

  The paper intends to explain the Saudi alignment choices, either with US, or China, by utilising the literature on the alliance management. The paper assumes that the multipolar moment provided Saudi Arabia with the ability to choose, whether to align itself with US through a defence pact, or to continue the current strategic partnership with China. The paper shall differentiate between alliance and strategic partnership, and then utilise the theoretical framework presented by Goh and Sahshi to analyse alliance management. In addition, Saudi relations with both US and China is going to be assessed critically, referring to the most recent issues impacting the bilateral arrangements. Finally, the paper will attempt to pinpoint the factors that might push Riyadh to align with either of these two countries.

• US vetoes another UN Security Council resolution seeking Gaza ceasefire

  The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution aimed at calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, marking the fourth time that Washington has used its veto power to block a ceasefire resolution at the international body since Israel's war on Gaza began in October 2023. The draft resolution was aimed at calling for an "immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza and the release of all hostages held by Palestinian groups in the enclave. The measure received 14 votes in favour, with the US the sole member to reject it. However, because the US is a permanent member of the council, it has the ability to veto any resolution brought forward.

• Hezbollah media head killed in Israeli strike on Beirut, security sources say
  Lebanese armed group Hezbollah confirmed its media relations chief Mohammad Afif was killed by an Israeli strike on a building in central Beirut on Sunday. Israel has rarely hit senior Hezbollah personnel who do not have clear military roles, and its air strikes have mostly targeted Beirut's southern suburbs where the group has its heaviest presence. Israel's military, which earlier declined to comment, issued a statement late on Sunday reporting it had "eliminated" Afif. The Lebanese health ministry said the strike had killed one and injured three.

• Saudi security forces arrest 20,124 illegals in a week

  Those who were arrested included 11,607 violators of the Residency Law, 5,285 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,232 violators of the Labor Law, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday. The total number of people who were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom accounted for 1,401, of whom 39 percent were Yemeni nationals, 60 percent Ethiopian nationals, and one percent belonged to other nationalities while 98 people were arrested while attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.

• U.S. and Saudi Arabia discuss security agreement separate from Israel mega-deal

  The U.S. and Saudi Arabia are discussing a possible security agreement that wouldn't involve a broader deal with Israel, according to three sources with knowledge of the talks. The agreement wouldn't be the full defense treaty the U.S. and Saudi Arabia were discussing but Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) and the White House still want to reach a security agreement before President Biden leaves office in January. Saudi national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban visited the White House last week and met with his U.S. counterpart Jake Sullivan and with Biden advisers Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein, the sources said. The idea is to draft a bilateral U.S.-Saudi security agreement similar to those the Biden administration signed with other Gulf countries in recent years, which strengthened the U.S. position in the region, the source said.

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