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  • The India-Middle East Corridor: a Biden Road Initiative?

    Since its announcement, IMEC has garnered much attention and much criticism. Economists and regional experts expressed their reservations on the feasibility—both politically and financially—of a corridor that would redraw the map of infrastructure across Eurasia. But such skepticism is missing the point of IMEC in the first place. The project serves primarily as a US diplomatic tool to counter China’s influence in the Middle East. In fact, IMEC should be considered in the same light as Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): an ambitious foreign policy project that captures the world’s attention, even though it is unlikely to deliver on its lofty promises.

  • Opinion: Has Hamas ended Biden’s bid for a Saudi-Israel deal?

    The track record of powerful militaries taking on much weaker guerrilla forces in smaller territories is replete with a chronic inability to prevent huge civilian casualties and, typically, massacres, whether intended or accidental. The Israeli military has undertaken numerous operations of this kind, mainly in Lebanon and Gaza. Israelis will probably feel less compunction than ever about Palestinian civilian casualties, given the scale and intensity of the Hamas attack. But others, especially the Arab world, will be enraged and appalled, potentially inhibiting Saudi normalisation with Israel.

  • How did Arab states react to Hamas attack on Israel?

    A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Saudi Arabia was "closely monitoring the unprecedented developments between various Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation forces, resulting in an escalation of violence on several fronts". It said Riyadh calls for "an immediate cessation of the escalation" between both sides and "the protection of civilians".

  • What is behind the Arizona-Saudi groundwater controversy?

    The US state of Arizona terminated land leases with a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's dairy giant Almarai this week, constituting the latest chapter in a battle over groundwater that could affect how the company and others from the Gulf operate. The Riyadh-based Almarai is one of the largest food companies in the Middle East and reported a net profit of $453 million in 2022.

  • How did Israeli intelligence fail to stop major attack from Gaza?

    To prepare for and carry out such a coordinated, complex attack involving the stockpiling and firing of thousands of rockets, right under the noses of the Israelis, must have taken extraordinary levels of operational security by Hamas.

  • Saudi Arabia Primed For 2034 World Cup. Can Australia Rival?

    Saudi Arabia immediately announced its intentions to vie for the 2034 event, and Australia said it is still exploring the possibility before an Oct. 31 deadline. Both nations fall under the Asian Football Confederation, despite Australia’s geographical similarity with many Oceania members. The AFC has already expressed its support for a Saudi Arabian bid, as have several Arab nations. During the success of this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, both nations expressed the desire to eventually lure a men’s World Cup, too. Saudi Arabia has been trying to gain support from European countries in its efforts to land the 2034 tournament.

  • ‘Just a blip?’: Questions swirl over Egypt’s role in Menendez case as US ties jolted

    The 39-page indictment is replete with secret hotel room meetings, encrypted messages and references to an unknown military "general". Notably, the indictment documents two secret meetings between Menendez and Egyptian intelligence officials in Washington, one of which coincided with a visit by Abbas Kamel, chief of the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate, to Washington. Former US intelligence and defence officials tell MEE that the report reads like a classic case of spy games.

  • Frankly Speaking: How do US Jews feel about a Saudi-Israel deal?

    The Jewish American community is “ecstatic” over a potential deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, according to Marc Schneier, a well-known American rabbi and an adviser to several Arab Gulf states. Appearing in the first episode of a new season of the Arab News current affairs show “Frankly Speaking,” he said such a deal may be a step toward resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict.

  • Can Lucid jump-start the electric vehicle industry in Saudi Arabia?

    Though fewer than 1% of cars on the road are electric, the kingdom is setting an ambitious target for 2030 of 30% as it tries to shift the economy from oil

  • What’s Happening With Saudi Arabia’s Snow Scene?

    Surprisingly perhaps, Saudi Arabia is becoming a developing nation for snow sports. Despite the lack of reliable natural snowfall, its government recently announced the creation of an outdoor snow ski area, Trojena, which has been awarded the 2029 Asian Winter Games even before construction of the ski area has begun.