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  • Perspective: Who Does Saudi Better – Google or Reddit?

    Whenever I visited a tourist hotspot, like Boulevard World, famous souks, or the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, I saw plenty of niqabs. I saw more prayer and more visible sex segregation. At least in public, these Saudis were more reserved than the cosmopolitan youth vanguard I’d met elsewhere, though in no way hostile. Which was the real Kingdom of Saudi Arabia? It was hard to tell, and perhaps there’s no correct answer to that question. No matter where I was, though, and no matter who I was surrounded by, I felt welcome. Safe + Saudi Arabia + Jewish woman? As the Redditors proclaimed: absolutely.

  • Commentary: Can US rail plan woo Middle East states away from China’s belt and road?

    Reaction to the US infrastructure plan from the media in India - an opponent of China's belt and road vision - was positive, but analysts said the Middle Eastern countries were likely to be wary of a partnership with the US while the project's financing was unclear. The UAE did not release a statement after the Sullivan meeting, while Saudi Arabia's output did not touch on the infrastructure project. Both countries are participants in the belt and road.

  • Who Does Saudi Better: Google or Reddit?

    One such faux pas apparently was using disabled restrooms if you weren’t disabled. Another was bringing in controlled substances—even vitamins required a doctor’s note. A worried Canadian travel blogger implored his countrymen not to wear shorts. But Reddit and TikTok—more current, perpetually updating—showed a different side of the kingdom. On Reddit, Saudis laughed at anxious American tourists asking if their social media would be audited upon arrival (“lol u think KSA is a police state?” one user retorted, “we don’t care about some random american, just have fun”).

  • Is Iran preparing for ‘flexibility’ to break deadlock over nuclear deal?

    In a speech before Iran’s diplomatic corps, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has addressed the merits of "flexibility" in foreign policy—arguing that it does not have to contradict one's principles. Khamenei's remarks come amid reports that Oman's Sultan Haytham bin Tareq Al Said will travel to Tehran, possibly to help jumpstart indirect talks between Iran and the US to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

  • Commentary: Is Riyadh’s Mukaab Compatible With Saudi Arabia’s Climate Ambitions?

    Clearly, the project is still in its initial phase. Much remains to be done, and further research is necessary to ensure The Mukaab aligns with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 blueprint. Decision makers should perhaps turn to the past and examine how iconic structures have enhanced the profiles of major cities. When Paris’ Eiffel Tower was first proposed, and even after it was built, residents and artists opposed it as an architectural blight. Yet, over a century later, one can hardly think of Paris without the Eiffel Tower.

  • Can US rail plan woo Middle East states away from China’s belt and road?

    Israel did not send a representative to the Saudi Arabia discussions, but could be added to the infrastructure initiative if relations normalise in the region, according to the Axios sources. Riyadh and Tel Aviv do not have diplomatic ties. Chas Freeman, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, described the plan as “a fantasy foreign policy” rather than a serious infrastructure initiative and said its main goal was to “cement Israeli ties with the Gulf Arabs”.

  • BRICS Membership: A Game-Changer for Saudi Arabia’s Economy?

    First and foremost, it is important to understand the economic power of the BRICS nations. Together, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa represent 40% of the world population and 25% of global GDP. If Saudi Arabia were to join this group, it would not only significantly increase the size and influence of the bloc, but also provide the country with access to a powerful network of economic partners.

  • Is Saudi Arabia the new dumping ground for Europe’s top clubs – or a new frontier?

    “This is not all one way,” said a source familiar with the league, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships. “Agents are all over clubs in Saudi Arabia, so this is not them throwing themselves at the world. It goes both ways.” Multiple intermediaries have told The Athletic they are trying to build relationships with clubs in Saudi, with some thinking they can double their player’s salary and secure long-term contracts. Another agent, however, whose player earns close to £100,000 a week already, believes it would be an achievement to have that salary matched in the Middle East, recognising clubs there will not fall into a trap of paying extortionate wages for everyone.

  • View from Israel: Could Netanyahu attack Iran’s nuclear program? It’s not so easy

    But when it comes to Iran’s nuclear program and how to confront it, there is not a huge gap between the current Israeli government and the opposition. The only significant difference between them is in how to manage relations and differences with the United States over a nuclear Iran. In the past, the Netanyahu government has acted confrontationally with the US, especially during the Obama administration.

  • Can Saudi Arabia enter billion dollar female gaming market?

    Establishing female-only events and teams should not be the only objective. While this helps integrate women into the esports market, the end goal is for them to compete on a level playing field with men and have equal opportunities in game development.