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Saudi Arabia

September 6, 2026

Riyadh 10:05 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

Saudi Arabia's army soldiers march during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2022.

Saudi Arabia to invest $1 billion in Pakistan, following UAE and Qatar

Pakistan is seeking help from the Gulf amid its foreign currency reserves crisis.

A picture taken on Nov. 18, 2020, shows an electronic billboard bearing portraits.

Saudi Central Bank approves fintech companies Lean Technologies, Mod5r

Saudi Arabia recently launched a fintech strategy with the goal of becoming a regional hub for financial technology.

Negotiations between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud took place in Jeddah Aug. 18, 2022.

Saudi Arabia strengthens ties with Uzbekistan via wind power, investment deals

Uzbekistan’s relations are also improving with the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Saudi authorities find amphetamine pills in cleaning supplies

Smugglers continue to use creative methods to bring drugs into the kingdom, which struggles with amphetamine addiction.

Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

Golf commentator who criticized Saudi-backed LIV Golf sued for defamation

The Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee has been one of the most virulent critics of LIV Golf and is now being sued by Patrick Reed, who plays for the breakaway tour.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Saudi Public Investment Fund acquires shares in Amazon, Google, Uber

The sovereign wealth fund led by the crown prince has shown a strong interest in technology such as video games.

This picture taken on Jan. 13, 2022, shows a view of the Shubra al-Kheima natural gas electrical power station.

Saudi Arabia secures funding for electricity interconnection with Egypt

Egypt just approved a plan to ration electricity, though the government said there is not a shortage of power.

A general view of the Egyptian Stock Market in Cairo on Jan. 6, 2013.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund acquires stakes in Egyptian state-owned firms

The acquisitions help make good on Saudi Arabia’s pledge to invest billions in Egypt.

This picture taken on May 9, 2021 shows a view of the Dubai city skyline as seen from the Burj Khalifa, currently the world's tallest building at 828 metres. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Gulf states changing labor, visa and residency policies to attract foreign wealth, talent

Robert Mogielnicki

Robert Mogielnicki

Chinese traditional dance teams perform during the inauguration ceremony of the Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company.

Saudi Arabia-China relations strengthen with Aramco-Sinopec deal

The ties between China and Saudi Arabia are largely based on trade and energy cooperation.

In this photograph taken on July 31, 2022, smoke rises from a house following a US drone strike in the Sherpur area of Kabul.

Middle East reactions: Al-Qaeda leader Zawahiri killed in US drone strike

Saudi Arabia and Israel praised the operation which killed the Al-Qaeda leader; a Syrian jihadist group appeared to offer condolences.

Saudi Aramco acquires lubricant giant Valvoline

Aramco has been investing in futuristic technology amid high oil prices and profits.