MUST-READS

• Solar Energy
  Saudi Arabia Solar Jumps On Diesel-Killer Bandwagon

  The country faces a multiplicity of problems stemming from its reliance on diesel generators for air conditioning among other uses. According to SASIA, almost 25 percent of the Saudi grid is powered by diesel and the Kingdom spends $1 billion and up on imported diesel. Many of those generators are located in remote areas, so transporting diesel generator fuel also adds to the country’s fossil load. On top of that, the country’s grid operators are way behind when it comes to connecting remote areas (distributed solar, much?), which is gumming up local economies.

  • Solar GCC Alliance - Solar-diesel hybrids: the perfect fit for Saudi Arabia’s energy dilemma
• Oil Production
  Saudi oil exports hit nearly $200bn in 2014

  Saudi Arabia's oil exports totalled 1.84bn barrels generating nearly US $200bn in the first eight months of 2014, Al-Riyadh daily has reported. Of the total oil output 23% is accounted for by domestic consumption reaching nearly 553mn barrels, says expert Fahad bin Jumaa for Al-Riyadh daily.

• Mecca
  Saudi newspaper accuses The Independent of theft and mistranslation

  Omar al-Mudhwahi is offering to provide the British newspaper with the correct translation of the study.

• Iran Policy
  Iran dramatically shifts Iraq policy to confront Islamic State

  But even more surprising than the thaw in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia is Iran’s tacit acceptance of American bombing in Iraq nearly three years after the last U.S. troops left the country. Here, again, Iran reversed its traditional foreign policy stance in the face of a mutual threat.

  • NYT - Tehran Unfetters Cellphones and Pictures begin to Flow
• Oil Exports
  Saudis sending less oil to U.S.

  “Their strategy has always been to develop markets in different places. They're a very disciplined, long-term player,” Auers said. “They're not having to discount very much today. Going forward they'll have to discount. I think $5 is something they can live with.” A series of partnerships and long-term contracts will help insulate Saudi Arabia's market share somewhat if oil prices fall. For example, Saudi Aramco owns half of Houston-based refining company Motiva Enterprises and will likely keep sending its crude oil to refineries equipped to handle the range of crude that comes from Saudi fields.

• US-Israel
  U.S. condemns Israeli expropriation of West Bank land

  The United States levied unusually harsh criticism at Israel on Tuesday, denouncing plans to seize a large tract of West Bank land for Israeli homes. The State Department called on Israel to reverse its announced plan to appropriate nearly 1,000 acres in the occupied West Bank. “We are deeply concerned about the declaration of a large area as ‘state land’ to be used for expanded settlement building,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. “We call on the Government of Israel to reverse this decision.”

  • AP - After Gaza war, poll finds support for Hamas risesnking
• Saudi National Guard
  Boeing awarded AH-6i contract for Saudi Arabia

  Although not disclosed in the DoD contract announcement, the end-user will be the Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG), which is buying the AH-6i as part of a wider build-up of its rotary-winged capabilities that includes the procurement of 12 AH-64E attack helicopters and 24 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk transport helicopters. This deal marks the first sale of the AH-6i for Boeing, although Jordan has signed a letter of intent for 18 such helicopters with an option for a further six.

• Solar Power
  Solar Power Investors Start to See Some Light and Heat

  Prices have stabilized as growth in demand for panels is finally outpacing capacity expansion. This benefits manufacturers. Most top-tier suppliers of solar modules reported profit margins that topped 15% in the first quarter, up from 10% toward the end of 2013, according to Matthew Feinstein of Lux Research.

• Islamic State
  As battle lines shift in Iraq, Sunnis who welcomed the Islamic State fear retribution

  A day after breaking through a siege by Islamic State militants on the Shiite town of Amerli, Iraqi forces and pro-government militias on Monday pushed their way into nearby villages they accuse of helping to enforce the months-long blockade.

  • Channel News Asia - US launches air strikes on IS rebels near dam, Amerli: Pentagon
  • CNN - Graphical Breakdown of Where Syria's Jihadists Come From
  • New York Times - Kurdish Pesh Merga: Tarnishing a Reputation as Storied Warriors
  • Politico - DOD: Iraq Effort Cost More Than $560 Million
  • Voice of America - Saudi-Iran Meeting Could Boost Fight Against Islamic State
  • New York Times - To Beat ISIS, Focus on Syria
• Islam
  Proposal to move Mohamed’s tomb in Saudi Arabia sparks debate

  The controversial proposals are part of a consultation document by a leading Saudi academic which has been circulated among the supervisors of al-Masjid al-Nabawi mosque in Medina, where the remains of the Prophet are housed under the Green Dome, visited by millions of pilgrims and venerated as Islam’s second-holiest site.

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