Saudi Arabia News
Young Saudis and The Kingdom’s Political Future
Feb 05, 2013
Many young Saudis admire the youthful protesters of Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, and Bahrain. But they don’t seek to imitate their tactic of massive street protests. One reason why is that they still hope—despite the lack of available evidence—that the Saudi royal family will voluntarily begin to share power with the Saudi people. Presumably then, the government can rest easy? Not necessarily.
Women after the Arab Awakening
Dec 11, 2012
Women played frontline roles in the Arab uprisings, but have since faced growing political hurdles during the transitions. Nine female activists from Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Libya outlined the specific challenges to women’s participation at a meeting sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in October 2012. They also offered strategies for empowering women.
Blog Buzz: New Islamic TV Expands Across Mideast
Nov 05, 2012
Islamic television is increasingly popular and prevalent across the Middle East one year after Islamists began winning democratic elections. Even secular satellite channels are now broadcasting more religious content—and in better prime time slots. The satellite sheikhs vary widely, however. Indeed, the battle over defining Islam in a new political era is now being waged on television screens.
Saudi Arabia’s Race Against Time
Aug 08, 2012
The Saudi official from the Ministry of Interior’s “ideological security” department was relaxed and confident. The government had uprooted scores of secret al-Qaeda cells, rounded up 5,700 of its followers, and deafened Saudi society to its siren call to jihad to overthrow the ruling al-Saud royal family. For the kingdom, the threat from Islamic terrorists had become manageable. So, what is the main security concern of the Saudi government today? The answer came as something of a surprise: the return of 150,000 Saudis who have been sent abroad to study, nearly one half of whom are now in the United States.
New Era of Relations Between Egypt and Saudi Arabia?
Jul 12, 2012
Newly elected Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi travelled to Saudi Arabia on July 11. In this exclusive interview, Senior Scholar David Ottaway explains the significance of this trip...
Uncle Sam and the Saudi Split
Sep 26, 2011
Why is the House of Saud risking its hard-won relationship with Washington over the Palestine statehood issue? Senior Scholar David Ottaway examines this recent tension.