Riyadh

Saudi Arabia was, for decades, the world’s largest oil producer. This disruption is the biggest supply shock in absolute terms in the last five decades and has important repercussions for US-Saudi relations.

Khashoggi’s death stirred widespread disgust and hurt the image of crown prince, previously admired in the West for pushing to end the kingdom’s oil dependence and easing social restrictions including by allowing women to drive.

Thirty-seven men were beheaded last week in Saudi Arabia. Most of them were from the country’s minority Shia community.

Women from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are increasingly risking their lives to flee. Some plan their escapes for years, and even with so much planning, there are times when things go wrong.

Stand-up comedy, and public entertainment, in general, has always been very limited in Saudi Arabia, but the kingdom is trying to capitalize on the scene. It’s part of a larger plan to move away from oil.