Saudi Arabia

Istanbul (AFP) – Turkish police have concluded that prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi mission in Istanbul after going missing Tuesday, an unnamed government official said Saturday. “Based on their initial findings, the police believe that the journalist was killed by a team especially sent to Istanbul and who left the […]

Iran

Iran Calls on Saudi Arabia for Regional Security Cooperation in face of Trump Insults

Middle East Monitor

“This is the reward of the illusion that security could be achieved through external support”

Featured

Trump Humiliates, Squeezes Saudi Ally: ‘Pay up–you wouldn’t last 2 Weeks w/out US Army’

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Trump, speaking at a rally in Mississippi on Tuesday night, went out of his way to humiliate Saudi King Salman, his close ally in his attempt to corral Iran. “We protect Saudi Arabia. Would you say they’re rich? And I love the King, King Salman. But I said, ‘King – […]

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Dissident Journalist Khashoggi Visits Saudi Consulate in Istanbul then Disappears

AFP

Washington (AFP) – A veteran Saudi journalist who has been critical of the government has gone missing after visiting the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, the Washington Post reported. Jamal Khashoggi, who writes opinion pieces for the Post, has not been seen since entering the consulate in the afternoon, according to his fiance who […]

Saudi Arabia

Saudi: The Banana Republic with very few Bananas

Daniel Martin Varisco

Stockholm ( MENA Tidningen) – The Saudis are feeling offended that another country might criticize their dismal record of human rights. Last August Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland tweeted that a Canadian citizen, Raif Badawi, and his sister Samar should be released from a Saudi prison. Their arrest was due to their promotion of human […]

China

Pakistan Invites Saudi Arabia to Invest in China Economic Corridor

AFP

Islamabad (AFP) – Islamabad has invited Saudi Arabia to invest in the Beijing-funded, multi-billion dollar infrastructure corridor being constructed in Pakistan, its information minister said Thursday, as concerns grow over the country’s debt levels. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an ambitious plan to build energy and transport links connecting the western Chinese region of […]

Saudi Arabia

Signs of Rift in Saudi Royal Family over Yemen Quagmire that has left 10,000 Dead?

AFP

Riyadh (AFP) – Saudi King Salman’s brother has played down controversial remarks he made to anti-Saudi protesters in London that sparked furious speculation about possible discord within the royal family. Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz al-Saud apparently told a crowd in London to stop chanting slogans against the Saudi royal family over the kingdom’s involvement in […]

Qatar

Saudi Arabia again threatens Canal to make Neighbor Qatar an Island

AFP

Riyadh (AFP) – A Saudi official hinted Friday the kingdom was moving forward with a plan to dig a canal that would turn the neighbouring Qatari peninsula into an island, amid a diplomatic feud between the Gulf nations. “I am impatiently waiting for details on the implementation of the Salwa island project, a great, historic […]

Featured

Saudi Crown Prince vows Yemeni Children will “Shiver,” but is He on Way Out?

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Mohamed Bin Salman, the thirty-two-year-old crown prince of Saudi Arabia, is finding his wings clipped, by his father and by the heavy hand of reality, so severely that some are speculating about whether he can survive politically. Alkhaleejonline.net reports that Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman recently met with his […]