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  • Trump Ramps Up Israel Support as Saudi Prince Condemns War

    US President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of three ardently pro-Israel lawmakers for top foreign-policy jobs underscores that his focus will be on heightening support for Israel and boxing in Iran once he takes office. Even after he won over many Arab Americans who criticized the Biden administration over its support for Israel in the Gaza war, the selections will be deeply reassuring to Israeli leaders after their sometimes fraught relationship with President Joe Biden.

  • Gulf states wary of return to Donald Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’ against Iran

    Leaders like Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were among Trump’s most enthusiastic Arab backers during his first term as US president, welcoming both his adversarial approach to Iran and his transactional style after years of Gulf frustration with American policy. But in the years since, the Gulf’s two powerhouses — Saudi Arabia and the UAE — have changed tack, seeking to engage with Tehran amid doubts about the US’s commitment to their security. This became more urgent after Hamas’s October 7 2023 attack against Israel triggered a wave of regional hostilities and heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi seeking to remain on the sidelines.

  • Khalid bin Salman’s Rising Influence in Saudi Defense Reforms

    Saudi Arabia is investing in the reorganization of the defense ministry, and to further improve defense sector’s human skills. This fits into the professionalization path the Saudi armed forces have embraced, also complying with Riyadh’s greater defense autonomy aspirations. The plan foresees three main reform phases: the building of the ministry’s centre and of specific undersecretaries (for instance, on strategic affairs, and on procurement); the reorganization of the forces to increase performance efficiency and facilitate joint operations; the rearming of the forces and the building of capabilities.

  • Nigeria Seeks $5 Billion Trade Facility From Saudi Arabia

    Nigeria is seeking a $5 billion trade facility from Saudi Arabia to shore up capital for its economic reform program. The West African nation wants a deal with the Saudi government on the facility, Nigeria’s presidency said in a statement Tuesday after President Bola Tinubu met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on the sidelines of the joint Arab-Islamic Summit. No further details were given.

  • Saudi Arabian Schools Welcome First Chinese Teachers

    The first 175 Chinese language teachers began teaching at primary and middle schools in Saudi Arabia last month, as part of an agreement made between the two countries in 2023 to enhance cooperation in Chinese language education. According to China’s state Xinhua News Agency, Saudi Arabia will start with Chinese language classes in middle schools, and 800 such teaching positions will be available.

  • MENA cinema market poised for major growth, led by Saudi Arabia’s surge in screen count and revenue

    New Omdia analysis has revealed the MENA cinema market is poised for substantial revenue growth, projected to increase from $900 million in 2024 to $1.5 billion by 2029. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is expected to play a pivotal role, contributing nearly two-thirds of the region's cinema revenue by 2029. Saudi Arabia is set to lead the MENA region in screen count by year-end, reaching 803 screens, followed by the UAE with 734. This growth is largely due to Saudi Arabia's substantial investment in its entertainment infrastructure.

  • Special Briefing: The Middle East reacts to Donald Trump’s reelection

    Despite reports during President Joe Biden’s term about tensions between Netanyahu and Trump, when the Israeli prime minister visited the US in July 2024, it was obvious that his meeting with Trump was much warmer than the ones he held with Biden and with Vice President Kamala Harris. In the lead up to the US presidential election, Trump utilized his support for Netanyahu in an effort to sway Jewish American voters in his favor, while also seeking to attract Arab Americans by calling for an end to the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

  • Israeli government celebrates Trump’s victory amid its concerns about Biden’s final policy moves

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to call President-elect Donald Trump to congratulate him for his victory in the Nov. 5 US election and to appoint a new ambassador to Washington — a hard-liner from the settler movement. Throughout his years in office, Netanyahu has shown a clear preference for the Republican Party, often being accused of meddling in US politics and eroding the bipartisan nature of American support for Israel.

  • Opinion: A new era of hope – Trump’s return and the promise of stability

    The reelection of President Donald Trump heralds a new era of optimism and possibility for both the US and the global community. His impending return to office signals a steadfast commitment to revitalizing the US economy and prioritizing the well-being of the American people. As a businessman with a proven track record, Trump brings a practical approach to governance, focusing on economic prosperity and tangible results.

  • Silicon Valley’s General Catalyst makes first investment into Saudi Arabia through fintech Lean Technologies

    Silicon Valley venture capital firm General Catalyst has made its first investment in Saudi Arabia through fintech startup Lean Technologies, which just closed a Series B round worth $67.5 million. General Catalyst has $30 billion in assets under management and has backed major U.S. tech companies like Snap, Stripe and AirBnb. Lean Technologies’ fundraising round also saw participation from Bain Capital Ventures, Stanley Druckenmiller’s Duquesne Family Office, and Arbor Ventures, among others, bringing the Riyadh-based firm’s total funding to over $100 million to date, according to a Sunday statement from the company. For three of those investors — General Catalyst, Stanley Druckenmiller and Bain Capital — this investment is their first in the kingdom.