QUOTED

Quoted

“We have been in contact with all actors in the region. We are in constant communication with Turkey and every stakeholder involved.” A Saudi official stated that the kingdom has been communicating with all regional actors over Syria and was determined to do what was possible to avoid a chaotic outcome for the country. Syrian rebels topple Bashar al-Assad: How the world reacted [Middle East Eye]

TOP STORY

Saudi-US Business Forum held in Riyadh

Saudi-US Business Forum

Organized by the Federation of Saudi Chambers in collaboration with the US Department of Commerce, the December 8th event focused on Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. [more]

 

MORE TOP STORYLINES

End of Assad rule will reshape region's balance of power

Via Hugo Bachega in bbc.com: Assad will forever be remembered as the man who violently repressed peaceful protests against his regime in 2011, which led to a civil war. More than half a million people were killed, six million others became refugees. With the help of Russia and Iran, he crushed the rebels, and survived. Russia used its formidable air power while Iran sent military advisors to Syria and Hezbollah, the militia it supports in neighbouring Lebanon, deployed its well-trained fighters. This did not happen this time. His allies, preoccupied with their own affairs, essentially abandoned him. Without their help, his troops were unable – and, in some places, apparently unwilling – to stop the rebels, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

UK's Starmer to Push for Stronger Ties With UAE, Saudi Arabia in First Gulf Visit

Via Muvija M in usnews.com: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will begin a multi-day visit to the Gulf on Sunday, his first trip to the region since taking office, seeking stronger economic and defence ties with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. He will aim to boost investment and deepen defence and security partnerships, the government said in a statement on Saturday, describing the two Middle Eastern countries as some of the UKs most vital modern-day partners. Starmer, elected to lead the worlds sixth-largest economy in July, will arrive in the UAE on Sunday, where he is due to hold talks with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday. He will fly to Saudi Arabia later on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Niemann wins PIF Saudi International and International Series Rankings title

in livgolf.com: Torque GC Captain Joaquin Niemann completed a memorable season by winning the US$5million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers following a dramatic playoff victory against Ripper GC Captain Cameron Smith and Legion XIII member Caleb Surratt. Niemann made a brilliant birdie following an exquisite lob shot to 12 inches on the second playoff hole to earn the trophy at Riyadh Golf Club, after Smith and Surrat missed their birdie attempts. The victory, worth US$1 million, also saw him finish top of The International Series rankings after an incredibly close finish to the race. It was a thrilling finish to the season-ending event on the Asian Tour and The International Series, which is also the most lucrative event of the season.

 

MORE ON THE KINGDOM AND BEYOND

Saudi Arabia completes arrangement to secure $2.5 bln credit facility

Saudi Arabia has finalised an arrangement for securing a shariah-compliant revolving credit facility worth $2.5 billion, the...[By Enas Alashray and Ahmed Tolba via reuters.com]

 

Dakar Rally competitors react to grueling Stage 2 in Saudi Arabia: Video

Dakar Rally drivers and riders recount Stage 2 of the event, where competitors took two days to traverse nearly 1000 km....[via youtube.com]

 

Saudi Arabia’s PIF raises $7bn from first murabaha facility as it seeks to boost investments

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund plans to raise $7 billion from its first murabaha credit facility, as the fund diversifies its funding...[By Aarti Nagraj via thenationalnews.com]

 

Saudi Arabia sells $12 billion 3-part bond amid strong demand

 Saudi Arabia raised $12 billion from global debt markets in a three-part bond sale, attracting strong investor...[By Rachna Uppal and Enas Alashray via reuters.com]

 

Saudi Interior Ministry confirms ban on transferring or publishing security surveillance camera recordings

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry confirmed that the provisions of the “Use of Security Surveillance Cameras” law prohibit the transfer or publication of security surveillance camera...[via arabnews.com]

 

Taste of 2034 World Cup as Saudi Asian Cup stadiums named

Among the venues announced Tuesday for the 24-team regional competition were the 70,000-capacity King Fahd Sports City Stadium and King Saud University Stadium, both in...[via france24.com]

 

Mideast Wealth Funds Spend $82 Billion to Ramp Up Bets on Post-Oil Future

That the Gulf’s various sovereign wealth funds have become some of the most dominant players in global dealmaking has rarely been in...[By Matthew Martin via bloomberg.com]

 

Saudi Arabia boosts desalinated water supply to 50% in Vision 2030 push

Saudi Arabia’s water sector witnessed significant shifts in 2023, with a 31 percent increase in desalinated seawater production, now comprising 50 percent of the country’s...[via azernews.az]

 

Saudi Arabia estimates 2025 budget funding at $37bn

Saudi Arabia will need estimated funding of SAR139 billion ($37.02 billion) in 2025 to cover the potential budget deficit. Finance minister Mohammed Al Jadaan has approved...[By Pramod Kumar via agbi.com]

 

Saudi Coffee Company and Alliance for Coffee Excellence launch Sip of Excellence Competition

Saudi Coffee Company has launched its second annual Saudi Sip of Excellence Competition in partnership with the global nonprofit Alliance for Coffee Excellence. Designed...[By April Hawksworth via gcrmag.com]

 

Saudi Arabia Plans Further Borrowing Spree to Pay for Huge Projects

Saudi Arabia, one of the largest bond issuers in emerging markets last year, has started 2025 with a funding spree as the country fuels its...[By Abeer Abu Omar and Matthew Martin via yahoo.com]

 

Leading Saudi Arabian airports hit passenger traffic highs in 2024

Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport and Riyadh King Khalid International Airport each posted record passenger traffic in 2024, reflecting the continuing strong performance of aviation...[By Dermot Davitt via moodiedavittreport.com]

 

Saudi Arabia Hikes Its Oil Prices to Asia as Supply Tightens

The world’s top crude oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, has raised the price of its crude loading for Asia in February by more than expected...[By Tsvetana Paraskova via oilprice.com]

 

Saudi Arabia Mandates USB Type-C Charging Ports for Mobile Devices

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) have announced that the first mandatory phase of the...[By Aayushya Ranjan via techafricanews.com]

 

Can Saudi’s New Milaf Cola Compete with Coca-Cola and Pepsi?: Video

In a move that has both bemused and intrigued the global beverage industry, Saudi Arabia has launched Milaf Cola, a fizzy drink made from dates....[via youtube.com]

 

Saudi Arabia to host Royal Rumble in 2026

WWE, in partnership with The General Entertainment Authority (GEA), on behalf of HE Turki Alalshikh, announced that the 39th annual Royal Rumble will be held in January...[via wwe.com]

 

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The Secretary reaffirmed U.S. support for...[via state.gov]

 

Severe Storms Delay Flights in Saudi Arabia

Severe storms hit Saudi Arabia, as torrential rains and high winds delayed flights at King Abdulaziz International Airport, in Jeddah, on Monday, January 6. Severe rains,...[via news.yahoo]

 

World Cup award adds pressure to Saudi Arabia’s construction challenge

Fifa’s decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup has started the clock on a huge logistical undertaking to build the infrastructure needed to...[via ft.com]

 

With Assad gone, new era starts in Syria as the world watches

Damascus stirred back to life on Monday at the start of a hopeful but uncertain era after...[By Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari via reuters.com]

 

Syrian rebels topple Bashar al-Assad: How the world reacted

Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed, said that non-state actors should not be allowed to exploit...[By Imran Mulla via middleeasteye.net]

 

Experts react: Rebels have toppled the Assad regime. What’s next for Syria, the Middle East, and the world?

The road to Damascus was surprisingly short. On Sunday, Syrian rebel groups took control of the capital after a lightning-fast offensive across the...[via atlanticcouncil.org]

 

How Russia Could Maintain a Foothold in Syria

The stunning downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad leaves not merely a vacuum of power in that country...[By Hussein Ibish via theatlantic.com]

 

‘Wait and see’: As Syrian regime falls, Middle East and US officials watch warily for what comes next

“It’s really ‘wait and see,'” Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the president of the United Arab Emirates, said at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, adding...[By Agnes Helou and Lee Ferran via breakingdefense.com]

 

Iran signals desire to maintain ties with Syria after Assad’s fall

The longtime rule of the Assad dynasty has come to an end after Syrian rebels seized Damascus. The collapse of the Islamic Republic’s only state...[via amwaj.media]

 

Trump’s return may be a boon for Netanyahu, but challenges abound in a changed Middle East

“For Bibi, this is his dream. He wanted this,” said Mazal Mualem, an Israeli journalist and Netanyahu biographer, referring to the Israeli leader by his...[By Tia Goldenberg via apnews.com]

 
 

Recent Editions

Left Menu Icon
Logo Header Menu