Saudi Arabia - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Saudi Arabia cover image

Saudi Arabia

January 13, 2025

Riyadh 3:00 pm

16°C

TOPSHOT - Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) reviews the honour guard as he welcomes Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman (R) during an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on June 22, 2022. - Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler took a big step out of international isolation on June 22, 2022, paying his first visit to Sunni rival Turkey since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/

Analysis

Saudi Arabia, Turkey find early common ground on Syria, will it last?

Despite supporting the armed opposition in the earlier parts of the Syrian civil war, Turkey and Saudi Arabia soon found themselves competing in Syria. Assad’s fall opens a new chapter.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Newly elected Lebanese president Joseph Aoun reviews an honor guard upon his arrival at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on Jan. 9, 2025.

Analysis

With US-Saudi backing, can Lebanon’s new president rein in Hezbollah?

With top general’s election, the United States and Saudi Arabia aim to draw Lebanon further from Iran. To do that, a new government has to convince Hezbollah that their days of armed resistance are over.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

An employee at tech startup al-Gameya, uses a computer with the official Facebook page of the application open on a web browser, at the company offices in Cairo, on Sept. 12, 2021.

Venture capital funding in Middle East falls by 29% in 2024

Saudi Arabia, which saw $750 million in venture capital funding last year, saw a 44% drop in funding volume in 2024 compared to 2023.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman walks to welcome France's president (not pictured) ahead of their meeting in Riyadh, on Dec. 2, 2024.

Analysis

In Syria outreach, Saudi Arabia eyes regional realignment against Iran

By taking the lead in hosting Syria's new foreign minister, Riyadh is eying strategic opportunity to fill the US void, counter Iran’s waning influence and stabilize ties with Damascus through aid, partnerships and engagement with Islamist factions.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Latest News

Analysis

With Saudi and UAE deals, Spain's defense industry seizes Gulf expansion

A military corvette in the port of Malaga, Spain, March 4, 2020.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Syrian delegation visits Saudi Arabia in first post-Assad trip: What we know

Hadath

Sign up to our Daily Briefing

Keep up with Al-Monitor's top stories with a morning digest from across the region.

Gulf wealth funds propel Middle East deals in 2024

Traders sit below the stock market screens at the Dubai Financial Market, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 16, 2019.

Analysis

Middle East IPOs shine in 2024 but face new challenges

A man watches stock movements on a display at the Dubai Financial Market stock exchange in the Gulf emirate on April 12, 2022.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

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

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Sabena Siddiqui

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

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

DAMASCUS, SYRIA - DECEMBER 30: The leader of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa waits to greet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (not in picture) ahead of a meeting between the Syrian leadership and a Ukrainian delegation to help strengthen ties between the two countries on December 30, 2024 in Damascus, Syria. Syria is transitioning after the fall of the Baath regime and the Assad family's rule, with a temporary administration now in place in Damascus and Aleppo. (Photo by Ali Haj Suleim

Syria’s FM to visit Saudi Arabia on first foreign trip as Sharaa praises Riyadh

The newly appointed foreign minister in the Syrian interim administration established after the fall of Assad said he accepted an invitation from his Saudi counterpart to visit the kingdom, which would be his first official visit abroad.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Despite green energy deal blitz, Middle Eastern climate efforts fell flat in 2024

This year saw significant progress in the Middle East and North Africa's renewable energy growth, but the transition from fossil fuels remains an elusive goal.

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

Delegates chat near a robot during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) forum at the King Abdulaziz Conference Centre in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, on Oct. 30, 2019.

Analysis

Was 2024 a breakthrough year for the Middle East’s AI ambitions?

Gulf states doubled down on AI in 2024, pouring billions into tech infrastructure and US partnerships.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

From BRICS to dwindling oil revenues, 2024 was mixed year for Gulf

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, big international investment deals, low oil revenue and increased curtailing of democratic rights dominated Gulf politics and economy in 2024

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

This picture shows a construction site for Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in Riyadh on April 16, 2023.

Mideast merger and acquisition activity hits $36B in 2024 led by UAE, Saudi Arabia

For the first 10 months of the year, merger and acquisition deals in the region reached $36 billion, up by 88% from a year earlier, a Bain & Company report said.

Saudis celebrate World Cup announcement

Saudi Arabia bets 2034 World Cup will bring foreign investment, reduce reliance on debt

Hosting the 2034 World Cup will give fresh impetus to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification plans as tournament-linked construction and developments open new investment opportunities.

A Union flag flies above a hangar as a British Airways operated Airbus A747 passenger jet is moved by an aircraft tractor at Heathrow Airport, west of London on April 2, 2020, as life in Britain continues during the nationwide lockdown to combat the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Saudi Public Investment Fund takes 15% stake in London's Heathrow Airport

Spanish construction giant Ferrovial said it had closed the sale of a 19.75% stake in the UK capital’s busiest airport for 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion) to the PIF and French investment firm Ardian.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 11: A drone show is seen displaying the words "Welcome to Saudi 34" as Saudi Arabia is announced as the host nation for the FIFA World Cup 2034 on December 11, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Christophe Viseux/Getty Images for Saudi Arabian Football Federation)

Saudi Arabia wins bid to host 2034 FIFA World Cup: What we know

Saudi Arabia has poured billions into developing sporting infrastructure and buying up top global football talent as part of its Vision 2030 diversification strategy.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump leaves after addressing members of the media following the verdict in his hush-money trial at Trump Tower on May 31, 2024 in New York City. A New York jury found Trump guilty Thursday of all 34 charges of covering up a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep her story of their alleged affair from being published during the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to be convicted of crimes.

Trump Organization to build luxury housing in Saudi capital: What we know

The two companies this week will also launch the Trump Tower in Jeddah, the third project between Dar Global and the Trump Organization.

Bpifrance, Saudi PIF sign $10B financing agreement

The five-year agreement will increase collaboration between PIF and Bpifrance Assurance Export, focusing on projects to support Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s plan to diversify the economy away from reliance on oil.

SAM PANTHAKY/AFP via Getty Images

Airbus becomes latest multinational to open regional HQ in Saudi Arabia

The European plane maker aims to develop local talent and technological expertise in the fast-growing Gulf market.

Dania Akeel

Saudi Dania Akeel’s Baja Cup win inspires Arab women in motorsports

The Jeddah-born driver is the first Saudi woman to win that cup and among an increasing number of Arab women drivers to achieve success in the traditionally male-dominated sport in recent years.