Saudi Arabia

The sun rises over a Mosque on the Persian Gulf in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 9, 1990.

Saudi Arabia’s conservative clerics have a new relationship with the government under Mohammed bin Salman

Lifestyle & Belief

Social change in Saudi Arabia has long been deemed impossible due to the influence of the conservative clerical establishment. But as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman supports new cultural attractions, experts are wondering whether the power of these clerics has diminished. Raihan Ismail, professor of contemporary Islamic studies at Oxford University, spoke to The World’s host Carolyn Beeler about what role the clerics play in Saudi society today.

Build it, and they will come: The dream of King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Join the journey at outofedenwalk.org.

Out of Eden Walk: Paul Salopek traverses the Arabian Peninsula via Saudi Arabia

Out of Eden Walk
Evacuees leave Saudi Amanah ship after landing at Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, May 4, 2023. 

Negotiations continue in Saudi Arabia to end fighting in Sudan

Conflict & Justice
Argentinian players celebrate after winning penalty shootout during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. 

Argentina hailed World Cup champions after dramatic win

Sports
two men stand near each other

Experts question what the US will get out of Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia

US President Joe Biden and Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid, sign a security pledge at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Jerusalem

US and Israel sign joint declaration on Iran’s nuclear program during Biden’s visit

Nuclear

During President Joe Biden’s trip to the Middle East, he’s signed a joint declaration with Israel to counter Iran’s nuclear program. The World’s host Marco Werman speaks with Sina Azodi, a nonresident fellow with the Atlantic Council in Washington, about what the move means.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman review a military honor guard during a welcome ceremony, in Ankara, Turkey

MBS visits Ankara as Turkey attempts to repair relations with its regional rivals

Global Politics

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for talks in Ankara. The visit comes as Turkey seeks to repair ties with its regional rivals. Steven A. Cook at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington spoke with The World’s host Carol Hills about the significance of the visit.

A photographer takes pictures of the Khurais oil field during a tour for journalists, 150 km east-northeast of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia says it’s not responsible for high oil prices

Energy

Saudi Arabia says it “won’t bear any responsibility” for shortages in global oil supplies, following attacks on its oil facilities by Yemeni Houthi rebels.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks to a group of Bahraini businesspeople during an official visit to Manama, Bahrain

What’s at stake for Israel and Gulf Arab countries in light of the Abraham Accords?

Global Politics

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has visited Bahrain as part of a push to boost regional ties with Gulf Arab countries following the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020. The World’s host Marco Werman spoke with Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, about what’s a stake for the regional partnerships.

Saudi jet fighters fly over Incirlik Air Base near Adana, southern Turkey, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. 

US sales of missiles to Saudis signal business as usual — almost

Global Politics

The recent $650 million sale involves 280 air-to-air missiles known as AMRAAMs (advanced medium range air-to-air missiles) and their launch systems, to be used on Saudi fighter jets. It has raised a stir in foreign policy circles.