Foreign Policy Blogs

Saudi Arabia

Don’t Be Fooled by the Recent Reforms for Women in Saudi Arabia

Don’t Be Fooled by the Recent Reforms for Women in Saudi Arabia

  On June 24th, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban against women driving, which was in place for over 25 years. This reform came just days after the one-year anniversary of 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s (MbS) rise to power. Since his ascension, the young prince has initiated widespread social and economic reformsthroughout the kingdom, […]

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The Future of the ‘Islamic NATO’

The Future of the ‘Islamic NATO’

In 2015, Saudi Arabia announced the formation of the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism. Will the alliance succeed in pooling its defense efforts?

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Saudis Counterterrorism Efforts Ahead of Trump Visit

Saudis Counterterrorism Efforts Ahead of Trump Visit

As President Trump heads out on his Abrahamic foreign policy tour, Saudi Arabia is emphasizing its anti-terrorism credentials.

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Has the U.S.-Saudi Relationship Outlived Its Usefulness?

Has the U.S.-Saudi Relationship Outlived Its Usefulness?

A public radio debate raises questions about the nature of the U.S.-Saudi relationship and whether it is time for a change.

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Yemen: A Regional Problem With Regional Consequences

Yemen: A Regional Problem With Regional Consequences

Militarily, NATO should stay out of Yemen. But the Alliance should mitigate the effects of the conflict at sea where international shipping could be affected.

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Sunni-Shia, or Saudi-Iran Discord?

Sunni-Shia, or Saudi-Iran Discord?

Toxic polemics disseminated mainly by those loyal to Saudi Arabia and Iran made a full-blown Sunni-Shia civil war across the Muslim world a matter of time.

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Why is Saudi Arabia Targeting Yemen’s Future?

Why is Saudi Arabia Targeting Yemen’s Future?

The conflict has already resulted in 10,000 dead, including 4,000 civilians, while the UN estimates that 80% of the population is now in need of humanitarian assistance.

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New Debate on Wahhabism Threatens Saudi Arabia

New Debate on Wahhabism Threatens Saudi Arabia

A little-reported debate over the future of a strain of Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabi creed could be a tipping point that destabilizes the whole country.

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Saudi Prince Voices Support for Toppling Iranian Regime

Saudi Prince Voices Support for Toppling Iranian Regime

The speech delivered by Saudi Arabia’s Prince Turki bin Faisal al-Saud at the Iran Freedom Rally drew attention, and raised more than a few eyebrows.

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Saudi Arabia and the End of the Rentier State

Saudi Arabia and the End of the Rentier State

With a young, restless population and decreased oil revenues, Saudi Arabia needs to abandon its rentier economic system and build a more sustainable model.

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Why We Should Not Abandon Saudi Arabia

Why We Should Not Abandon Saudi Arabia

Beset by challenges ranging from the collapse in oil prices, to the spreading instability in the region, to criticism from its longtime allies in the United States, Saudi Arabia is facing its most difficult test in decades. But the kingdom has the means to overcome these difficulties, and also has the will to seize a unique opportunity to carry out important reforms.

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Saudi Arabia’s Dangerous Gambit in Lebanon

Saudi Arabia’s Dangerous Gambit in Lebanon

Saudi Arabia’s decision to suspend $4 billion in military aid to Lebanon is the latest example of a meddlesome foreign power attempting to undermine Lebanese sovereignty to advance its own political agenda.

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Saudi-Iranian ‘Cold War’ Uses Sectarianism As Tool

Saudi-Iranian ‘Cold War’ Uses Sectarianism As Tool

Following Saudi Arabia’s execution of the Shiite Cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, observers of the Middle East are pondering a multitude of eventualities, many of which point to a hot conflict between the two regional powers.

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How Will The Saudi-Iranian Conflict Affect Oil Markets?

How Will The Saudi-Iranian Conflict Affect Oil Markets?

The recent Saudi-Iranian clash is unlikely to affect oil markets for now, but the redistribution of political power between Saudi Arabia and Iran, along with the US disengagement from the Middle East might have long-term consequences for the region’s stability and global oil supply trends.

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