Saudi Arabia - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Saudi Arabia cover image

Saudi Arabia

September 7, 2026

Riyadh 9:54 am

37°C

The entrance to the city of Qiddiya, south of the capital Riyadh, April 25, 2019.

Analysis

Iran war tests Gulf's theme park ambitions

Saudi Arabia is pressing ahead with multibillion-dollar projects as the conflict disrupts regional tourism and exposes weaknesses in the Gulf states' entertainment strategies.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

A man walks past a mural depicting oil pumps and the Venezuelan flag, with portraits of Venezuelan independence leader Simon Bolivar (L) and former late President Hugo Chavez (R), in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sept. 3, 2026.

Analysis

Could Trump’s oil push in Venezuela upend OPEC’s energy order?

Washington’s growing role in controlling the Latin American country's crude riches could help reshape an energy order centered on OPEC as the Hormuz crisis pressures Gulf exports.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Guests stand at the booth of Saudi artificial intelligence company Humain during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on Oct. 29, 2025.

Saudi Arabia taps China’s MiniMax for Arabic AI model

The development signals that the kingdom continues deepening AI ties with China while simultaneously pursuing major US technology partnerships, keeping the Gulf state at the center of an intensifying technology race between the superpowers.

Latest News

Saudi oil exports hit nine-year low as tanker attacks threaten recovery

A commercial vessel passes through an international shipping lane off Yemen's Hanish Island in the Red Sea on July 27, 2026.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan set Mecca Alliance into motion

Mecca Alliance

Iraq reinforces Saudi border security amid militia tensions: What to know

Iraqi army troops patrol the Iraq-Saudi Arabia border

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Army soldiers arrive at a street after suicide bombers attacked a Christian neighbourhood in Khyber Agency near Peshawar, Pakistan, September 2, 2016. REUTERS/Fayaz Aziz - S1AETYZAEYAB

Pakistani guard returns to Saudi Arabia

Although the small force is officially there on a train-and-assist mission, the arrangement is reminiscent of a military practice from decades ago designed to protect the Saudi royal family from domestic and foreign threats.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi attends the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries in Xiamen in southeastern China’s Fujian Province, Sept. 5, 2017. REUTERS/Mark Schiefelbein/Pool - RC171B1A3CC0

What’s behind Sisi’s recent trip to Oman?

While Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is calling on Tehran and Riyadh to cool their tensions, Egypt is strengthening its ties to Oman, which has become a stable and trustworthy ally.

A construction worker transports bricks for the reconstruction of destroyed building in the Old City of Mosul, Iraq August 5, 2017. REUTERS/Marius Bosch - RC14F63418D0

Saudis see opportunities in helping to rebuild Iraq

Riyadh's role in restoring Iraq's war-torn areas will play up Saudi Arabia's presence there and, the Saudis hope, help stop the spread of Iran's influence.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman attends the Annual Horse Race ceremony, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 30, 2017. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC195E3B23D0

MBS plans first US visit since becoming Saudi crown prince

Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation is high on the agenda for the upcoming trip.

Saudi, UAE involvement in eastern Yemen unsettles Oman

Reports that Saudi Arabia is planning to militarize its presence in Yemen’s easternmost governorate have raised security concerns in neighboring Oman.

Supporters of the southern Yemeni separatists demonstrate against the government in Aden, Yemen January 28, 2018. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman - RC1127F111A0

Advancing separatists could restore South Yemen

There are now two rebellions against the internationally recognized government of Yemen: one by the Houthis in the north and a second by secessionists in the south who now have control of Aden.

Saudi Arabia uses aggression abroad to calm clerics at home

Saudi Arabia's leaders have become more sectarian and anti-Iran than ever, much to the pleasure of the Wahhabi clerical establishment, which has remained quiet about sweeping social reforms.

A Turkish military tank is seen near Mount Barsaya, northeast of Afrin, Syria January 23, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC17EC8A27B0

GCC's silence on Turkey’s Afrin adventure is telling

The Sunni Gulf states have failed to make a unified statement on Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Syria, a sign of their competing interests.

Lebanon’s crisis allows Hezbollah to consolidate power once again

Hezbollah's support base seems to be divided on Saad Hariri's sudden resignation from Riyadh and the visit of Asaib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais al-Khazali to Hezbollah members in south Lebanon.

As Yemeni riyal is in free fall, worst may be yet to come

The Yemeni riyal's loss of more than 15% of its value in a matter of days will make establishing peace more difficult by exacerbating inequality.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey watch Iran-Iraq oil rapprochement warily

The oil swap deal between Iran and Iraq represents an opportunity to counterbalance Saudi-Iraq ties.

Jordan's Prince Faisal bin Al-Hussein (2nd R) and Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R), review Bedouin honour guards upon their arrival to meet Jordan's King Abdullah at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan, August 4, 2015. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - GF20000013418

US caught in crossfire amid flaring Jordan-Saudi tensions

US Vice President Mike Pence will face flaring tensions between Saudi Arabia and Jordan over Amman’s alleged ouster of royals close to Riyadh during his upcoming trip to the region.