Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Dana Awartani’s art of remembrance in Venice Also this week: French-Asian bites in Jeddah and Saudi art in Doha By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Saudi FM in Turkey as Ankara, Riyadh step up coordination amid Iran war Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s visit to Ankara comes amid rapidly expanding Turkish-Saudi coordination as the fallout from the Iran war reshapes Gulf security dynamics. Turkey
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Saudi Arabia awards $490m contract for museum in Diriyah Also this week: Smash burgers in Riyadh and Saudi maps in Venice By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis UAE’s OPEC exit rattles cartel as Gulf alliances shift OPEC's fourth-largest producer will leave the cartel on May 1, marking the most significant departure in the group’s history as the war changes Abu Dhabi's relationship priorities. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Iran Counters Saudi Diplomacy In Lebanon The competition between the Saudi and Iranian axes in Lebanon is high as the alleged Saudi “openness” toward Hezbollah proved to be less than it appeared, writes Jean Aziz. Saudi Arabia
What Are Saudi Arabia’sIntentions in Lebanon? Saudi Arabia has increased its diplomatic efforts in Lebanon, and Jean Aziz asks what exactly Riyadh’s intentions are. Saudi Arabia
Syria Civil War Causes Return Of Saudi Influence to Lebanon Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, there has been a resurgence in Saudi Arabian influence in Lebanon, as the desert kingdom attempts to fill the vacuum left by Syria, Nasser Chararah writes. Saudi Arabia
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. Saudi Arabia
Women Challenge Saudi State Within a State Women's protests against Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior have brought to light the extraordinary power this ministry enjoys in the kingdom, Madawi al-Rasheed writes. Saudi Arabia
Lebanese Electoral Law Redresses Christian Rights The proposed electoral law should allow Christian parties to have a greater say in Lebanese politics, writes Scarlett Haddad. Saudi Arabia
'Saudi Code' Prevents Arab Spring in Kingdom Fahad Nazer writes that the "Saudi code" will prevent a repeat in the Kingdom of what took place in Egypt. Saudi Arabia
US Budget Woes Compound Differences with GCC Despite security and commercial ties with the United States, there is a growing trust deficit between Washington and Arab states on the Persian Gulf that fear the spread of Arab democratic movements and worry that the U.S. will sacrifice their interests for a deal with Iran. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Youth Question Traditional Approach to Islam Saudi youth are seeking Islamic guidance that speaks to the issues they face in their lives, writes Caryle Murphy. Saudi Arabia
Prince Muqrin and the Question Of Saudi Succession The appointment by Saudi King Abdullah of his half-brother Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz to the key position of second deputy prime minister raises new questions about who will succeed the Saudi monarch and the next generation of Saudi rulers, writes Thomas Lippman. Saudi Arabia
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. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Execution of Sri Lankan Maid Exposes Vulnerability of Foreign Workers The execution of a Sri Lankan maid, who was charged as a minor with killing a 4-month-old Saudi baby, has drawn attention to the plight of foreign workers in the kingdom, reports Caryle Murphy. Saudi Arabia