Skip to main content
  • Politics & Security
  • Culture
  • Technology
  • Economy & Business
Go PRO for premium insights Path
  • Access Limited.
    Please upgrade your Subscription.
  • Memos Concise, actionable scenarios and predictions from top regional experts.
  • Live events & webinars Intimate in-person access to policy and business VIPs.
  • Industry Newsletters Weekly A.I. driven curation of top business stories accross 12 industries in the region.
  • Trend Reports Data-driven analysis of latest market trends.
Join Us
Log In

The Middle East in your inbox Insights in your inbox.

Deepen your knowledge of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East
Newsletters
  • Egypt
    مصر
  • Gulf
    الخليج
  • Iran
    ایران
  • Iraq
    العراق
  • Israel
    יִשְׂרָאֵל
  • Jordan
    الأردن
  • Lebanon
    لبنان
  • North Africa
    شمال أفريقيا
  • Palestine
    فلسطين
  • Syria
    سوريا
  • Turkey
    TÜRKIYE

Ahmed al-Omran

Ahmed al-Omran is a Saudi blogger and journalist. You can read more of his work on his site, Riyadh Bureau. On Twitter: @ahmed

Saudi Arabia | Sep 24, 2013

Saudi Women Renew Fight To Lift Driving Ban

A Saudi student's online call to challenge once again the ban on women driving has gone viral.

Female driver Azza Al Shmasani alights from her car after driving in defiance of the ban in Riyadh June 22, 2011. Saudi Arabia has no formal ban on women driving. But as citizens must use only Saudi-issued licences in the country, and as these are issued only to men, women drivers are anathema. An outcry at the segregation, which contributes to the general cloistering of Saudi women, has been fuelled by social media interest in two would-be female motorists arrested in May.REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed   (SAUDI ARA
Saudi Arabia | Mar 19, 2013

Saudi Executions Spur Internal Debate

The execution of seven men by firing squad last week has ignited debate within the conservative kingdom on its approach to capital punishment, Ahmed al-Omran writes.

People enter and leave Riyadh's general court October 20, 2008. A Saudi court began formal legal proceedings on Monday against around 70 militant suspects ahead of the first trials of al Qaeda sympathisers who waged a campaign of violence in the U.S.-allied monarchy.      REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed (SAUDI ARABIA) - RTX9QIH
Saudi Arabia | Jan 23, 2013

Saudi Conservative Women Feel Marginalized by Shura Council Snub

Saudi Arabia was hailed this month for appointing 30 women to its Shura Council, but leading conservative women have expressed disappointment at not being included in the royal list, Ahmed al-Omran writes.

Members of the Saudi advisory Shura Council listen to Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayaf Bin Abdul Aziz, brother of Saudi King Abdulah, during his presentation on the security situation in the kingdom, in Jeddah July 1, 2007  REUTERS/Ali Jarekji (SAUDI ARABIA)

Latest News

Israel's controversial legal reform plan: What are the proposals?

Thousands of Israelis throng central Tel Aviv for a fifth straight week in protest at the right-wing government's plans to boost the power of politicians over the courts
Agence France-Presse | AFP | Feb 4, 2023

Thousands rally for fifth week against Israeli govt reform plan

Protests have become a weekly fixture on Saturday evenings since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government took office in December
by Sharon Aronowicz | AFP | Feb 4, 2023

Maduro, Iranian diplomat discuss defense against 'external pressures'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (R) meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) at the presidential palace in Caracas on February 3, 2023
Agence France-Presse | AFP | Feb 4, 2023
See more

Podcasts

Crisis Group South Caucasus Analyst Olesya Vartanyan warns renewed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan would impact broader region

Olesya Vartanyan
See more

Follow Al-Monitor

  • Politics & Security
  • Culture
  • Technology
  • Economy & Business
  • Egypt
    مصر
  • Gulf
    الخليج
  • Iran
    ایران
  • Iraq
    العراق
  • Israel
    יִשְׂרָאֵל
  • Jordan
    الأردن
  • Lebanon
    لبنان
  • North Africa
    شمال أفريقيا
  • Palestine
    فلسطين
  • Syria
    سوريا
  • Turkey
    TÜRKIYE

Terms of Use

  • Visitor Agreements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Submissions and Discussions Policy
  • Search our Archives

Contact Us

  • Support and Contact Info
  • Advertise

About Us

Al-Monitor.com is a trusted and award-winning independent source of Middle East news and analysis, founded in 2012.
  • Our History
  • Mission
  • Careers
  • Team

Newsletters

  • Subscribe

© 2021 Al-Monitor, LLC. All rights reserved.

Follow Al-Monitor