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Saudi Arabia

December 5, 2025

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Fighters affiliated with Yemen's separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) man a position as they deploy amid tensions in the southern port city of Aden, on February 3, 2022, after Washington announced sending a warship and fighter jets to help defend its Gulf allies as conflict with Yemeni rebels intensifies. (Photo by Saleh Al-OBEIDI / AFP) (Photo by SALEH AL-OBEIDI/AFP via Getty Images)

Yemen's STC separatists advance in Hadramout as UAE-Saudi rift grows

The fighting between the UAE-backed southern separatists and Saudi-aligned tribal forces, nominal allies against the Houthis, has raised concerns about the division of Yemen.

Royal Bahraini Air Force F-16s perform air maneuvers during the 2018 Bahrain International Airshow at the Sakhir Airbase on Nov. 14 2018.

US approves $1.4B in military sales to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain: What to know

An estimated $1 billion in foreign military sales will go to Saudi Arabia, and $445 million will go to Bahrain.

spa

Saudi Arabia signs first visa-free travel agreement with Russia: What to know

The deal will allow citizens of either country to enter visa-free for 90 days for tourism, business and family visits.

Latest News

Analysis

US-Gulf critical minerals ties grow in bid to weaken China’s grip on industry

Spots of gold-rich ore speckle a stone pictured during a press tour at the Al-Amar Gold Mine, in the Riyadh region on May 28, 2008.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

South Korea’s $15B jet offer expands UAE's options as US moves to sell Saudis F-35s

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Saudi Arabia opens Nomu Parallel Market to new investors: What to know

A man monitors the board at the Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh, Dec. 12, 2019.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

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

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

purple lambos

Saudi Ferrari among $9.4M in cars seized during London 'supercar season'

Dozens of supercars were seized by London police last week during a popular time for the world's wealthy vehicle owners to tour the city.

Oil tankers and cranes at Merchants Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Analysis

As Trump plays Russia oil sanctions gambit, will Middle East profit or pay?

A potential US crackdown on Russian oil buyers could disrupt global trade flows — and the Middle East stands to both benefit and lose.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Visitors at the first night of the International Falcon Breeders Auction 2025 in Malham city on Aug. 5, 2025.

Culture

Saudi Arabia’s falcon auction aims to spin tradition into tourism gold

Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is seeking to diversify its economy and cultural tourism.

People wait for the arrival of relatives at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on the first commercial flight from Qatar on Jan. 11, 2021.

Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid airport sets record with 3.9M passengers in July

Air travel is a part of the Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy, though challenges remain in attracting tourists and catching up to other Gulf airports.

Jens Schlueter/Getty Images

Chinese company to build Oman's first green hydrogen plant: What to know

The plant in Duqm plans to produce 1 million metric tons of green hydrogen per year by 2030.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Aramco's Q2 profits fall 22% as lower oil prices weigh on earnings

Saudi Arabian crude exports have been soaring, hitting a three-month high last month, though oil prices remain low.

Analysis

Netflix teams up with MBC’s Shahid in Saudi Arabia: An end to streaming wars?

A new agreement between MBC Group and the US industry giant appears to signal a shift in the Middle East's streaming market, with top players opting for collaboration over competition.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

TOPSHOT - French President Emmanuel Macron is welcomed by Saudi's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ahead of their meeting in Riyadh on December 2, 2024. Macron touched down in Riyadh, the capital of the oil-rich Gulf kingdom, where he was due to hold talks with de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later on December 2, an AFP journalist said. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Why France is quietly becoming Saudi Arabia’s go-to internal security partner

Riyadh seeks French expertise for crowd control, counternarcotics and digital security ahead of a decade of mega-events.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 29: U.S. President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn of the White House followed by granddaughter Chloe after returning on Marine One on July 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump returned to the White House with his family after a trip to Scotland that was part vacation, part work, as he stayed at his Trump Turnberry golf course, followed by Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, from July 25 to 29. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Analysis

Middle East braces for Trump's tariffs: Gulf gains, North Africa strains as both hedge

The tariffs could be wins for the Gulf states, as many have trade surpluses with the United States, while some in North Africa and the Levant, with trade deficits, stand to lose.

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

Men inspect an electric car at a showroom in Riyadh on June 8, 2024.

Interview

Growing Chinese competition in Mideast car market 'key challenge,' Ford says

Chinese automotive companies are increasing their market share and are projected to capture 34% of the Middle East and Africa market by 2030, according to one analysis.

Ravi Ravichandran

Ravi Ravichandran

President of Ford Middle East and North Africa