MUST-READS

• Saudi Eurofighter Sale Could Reinforce Riyadh’s Air Defenses After Depleting Yemen Campaign

  Germany’s recent decision to lift its years-long ban on a British sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and supply IRIS-T medium-range air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly welcomed by Riyadh.

  Aside from bolstering the kingdom’s modern air force, the sale will reinforce Saudi capabilities against armed drones coming from Yemen. However, one shouldn’t expect Riyadh to engage in anything other than defensive actions against the Houthis there.

• Saudi Eurofighter Sale Could Reinforce Riyadh’s Air Defenses After Depleting Yemen Campaign

  Germany’s recent decision to lift its years-long ban on a British sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and supply IRIS-T medium-range air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly welcomed by Riyadh.

  Aside from bolstering the kingdom’s modern air force, the sale will reinforce Saudi capabilities against armed drones coming from Yemen. However, one shouldn’t expect Riyadh to engage in anything other than defensive actions against the Houthis there.

• Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media launches Horizon documentary on Netflix, about wildlife in the Kingdom

  The film, the latest production of the Konoz Initiative, aims to raise awareness of Saudi Arabia’s species richness and biodiversity and its distinctive geographical areas, and highlights the leading efforts exerted by the Kingdom to protect wildlife, preserve rare species, and acquaint the world with its various rich resources. The documentary showcases Saudi Arabia’s picturesque nature, its diverse plant and animal life, and the abundant riches of its lands.

• Saudis Eye Big Investment to Kick Off Foray Into Semiconductors

  Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is planning to make big investments in both the semiconductor and space industries this year as the kingdom accelerates efforts to diversify its economy away from oil.

  The Public Investment Fund is looking at making a “sizable investment” this year into the semiconductor industry, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha said in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “They plan to make an announcement on a particular champion within the space to lead the Saudi efforts,” he said, declining to give further details.

• US Red Sea coalition weak because regional powerhouses abstained-Yemen VP

  The U.S.-led coalition meant to safeguard commercial traffic in the Red Sea against attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis is weak because regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt did not take part, Yemen's vice president said on Tuesday.

  The Houthis have been attacking shipping in the Red Sea to protest against Israel's bombardment of Gaza, a war that threatens to spread across the Middle East.

• Saudi Arabia isn’t ruling out befriending Israel. But it may come at a higher price

  Just weeks before Hamas launched its October 7 attack on Israel, Saudi Arabia said it was inching closer to normalizing diplomatic ties with the Jewish state. Despite three months of war that have left more than 23,000 Palestinians dead and the Arab world seething, Riyadh is signaling that a recognition of Israel could still be on the table.

  On another tour of shuttle diplomacy across the Middle East, including to Saudi Arabia and Israel, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week said that normalization talks continue to take place and “there is a clear interest in the region in pursuing that.”

• Saudi Arabia plans for ‘futuristic’ clifftop 2034 World Cup stadium revealed

  Saudi Arabia has unveiled designs for a hi-tech stadium atop a 200-metre high cliff near Riyadh where the kingdom plans to stage games at the 2034 World Cup.

  The 45,000-seat venue will be named Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium for the crown prince of the oil-rich kingdom that wants to become the major player in world sports over the next decade. The design has a retractable roof and field, plus an LED wall with hundreds of metres of screens to create an immersive experience for fans, the Qiddiya Investment Company said in a statement.

• Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media launches Horizon documentary on Netflix, about wildlife in the Kingdom

  The film, the latest production of the Konoz Initiative, aims to raise awareness of Saudi Arabia’s species richness and biodiversity and its distinctive geographical areas, and highlights the leading efforts exerted by the Kingdom to protect wildlife, preserve rare species, and acquaint the world with its various rich resources. The documentary showcases Saudi Arabia’s picturesque nature, its diverse plant and animal life, and the abundant riches of its lands.

• Rafael Nadal signs Saudi tennis ambassador deal as Kingdom continues assault on sport

  Rafael Nadal has become an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation, it was announced on Monday, as Saudi Arabia continued to extend its power-base within the world of sport. This is another high-profile signing for the STF, which hosted its first ATP event last year – the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah – and is expected to add the WTA Finals at the end of this season. Although the spectre of a LIV Golf-style breakaway has hovered over tennis for the past couple of seasons, the Saudis have thus far worked within the system rather than trying to challenge it directly.

• Is Saudi Arabia Giving Up On Oil?

  It is now common to hear about Saudi Arabia’s ambitious new investments. Many will have seen advertisements of the new futuristic city, Neom, near the Red Sea. It is meant to run completely on renewable energy, a surprising plan for a top oil exporter. There are also lavish investments on sports; some say it is “sportswashing” with $6.3 billion spent since 2021. This includes buying clubs overseas and paying an estimated $214 million for football player Cristiano Ronaldo.

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