China Is Saudi Arabia and Iran’s New Friend. That’s a Real Problem for Israel
Beijing is working on a strategic collaboration with Tehran and is supporting a nuclear program in Saudi Arabia, which Israel can’t afford to keep ignoring
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by Ibn Saud. The country is ruled under an "absolute monarchy," which is a form of monarchy in which one ruler has supreme authority that is unrestricted by any laws.
The country is ruled under the ultraconservative Wahhabi religious movement within Sunni Islam. Saudi Arabia hosts the two holiest places in Islam, the Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina.
It is a sovereign Arab state covering majority of the Arabian Peninsula, with a land mass of approximately 2,150,000 km2. The country has a population of 28.7 million people and the official language spoken is Arabic.
Petroleum was discovered on 3 March, 1938 in Saudi Arabia and has since become the world's largest oil producer and exporter. It is the only Arab country to be part of the G-20 major economies.
In Rare Unified Statement, Gulf Arab Bloc Backs Extending UN Arms Embargo on Iran
Six-nation bloc backs embargo to stop Iran from purchasing foreign-made weapons like fighter jets, tanks and warships
Ex-Saudi Intelligence Official Alleges Riyadh Sent Hit Squad to Kill Him
Saad al-Jabri was a long-time aide to Prince Mohammed bin Nayef. The crown prince - known as MbS - ousted Nayef as heir to the throne in a 2017 palace coup
Saudi Aramco's Profit Plunges 73.4%, Deepening Budget Crisis
The world’s biggest oil exporter said the rapid spread of COVID-19 globally had significantly reduced demand for crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products
U.S. 'Scrutinizing' Saudi Arabia's Nuclear Program After Chinese Help
Saudi Arabia remains behind the UAE, which became the first Arab nation to open a nuclear power plant on Saturday
Yemen's Houthis Claim to Have Shot Down U.S.-made Drone Over Saudi Arabia Border
The surveillance aircraft appeared to have Saudi markings, although the kingdom is not known to use it ■ Neither Washington nor Riyadh have confirmed the incident
Muslims Around World Face a Different Kind of Eid Amid Coronavirus Crisis
From Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, Eid al-Adha prayers and ceremonies were altered or cancelled altogether in light of the social and economic consequences of the pandemic
Opinion Coronavirus Exposes the Epic Moral Failure of Gulf States
COVID-19 was a chance for wealthy Gulf states to show the compassion to already-exploited migrant workers they can afford, and the gratitude that they owe. Instead, millions have been left hungry, sick and abused
In in Saudi Arabia , a Very Different, Symbolic Hajj Amid the Pandemic
Rather than standing and praying shoulder-to-shoulder in a sea of people from different walks of life, pilgrims this year are social distancing
What Is Eid al-Adha? Everything You Need to Know About Islam's Festival of Sacrifices
The final days of hajj coincide with Eid al-Adha, or the festival of sacrifice, celebrated by Muslims around the world to commemorate Ibrahim's test of faith
Pilgrims Arrive in Mecca for Downsized Hajj Amid Pandemic
This year, pilgrims must wear face masks and will only be able to drink holy water from the Zamzam well in Mecca that has been prepackaged in plastic bottles
Saudi Arabia's King Salman Undergoes Successful Surgery, State News Agency Says
The king was admitted to hospital, suffering from inflammation of the gallbladder
Saudi Social Media Campaign Targets Former Crown Prince
Twitter storm comes as King Salman, 84, was admitted to hospital in the capital Riyadh, suffering from inflammation of the gall bladder
Iran Foreign Minister Visits Baghdad Ahead of Iraq PM Trip to Saudi Arabia
Three mortars hit Green Zone during Zarif's visit, security officials say, in rare daily attack ■ Visit comes hours before Iraq PM sets on Riyadh, Tehran tour with hopes of playing regional peacemaker
Yemen’s Rebels Say Saudi-coalition Airstrike Kills 10 Civilians
The Houthi-run Health Ministry said the airstrike took place in Masafa village east of the provincial capital of Hazm, which rebels took control of in March
Israeli Court Rejects Request to Revoke Spyware Firm NSO's Export License
Tel Aviv judge 'endorsed the Defense Ministry’s talking points,' human rights activist charges, as petitioners claim the court ignored evidence that NSO's phone hacking software was used to spy on journalists and dissidents
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis Say They Hit Saudi Oil Facility in Drone, Missile Attack
There was no Saudi confirmation of where they were intercepted or whether anything was hit
Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen Says Explosive Boats Destroyed in Red Sea
The two remotely controlled boats were threatening navigation, the coalition said. They were destroyed south of the Yemeni port of Salif, it added
New at Saudi Pilgrimage: Bottled Holy Water, Sterilized Pebbles
Coronavirus guidelines also mandate that foreign residents making the hajj be between the ages of 20 and 50, and that they have not performed it before
Turkey Tries Saudi Prince's Former Advisers in Absentia for Khashoggi's Killing
Saudi Arabia rejected Turkish demands for extradition of the suspects, charged with 'instigating a premeditated murder,' in the 2018 death of exile Saudi journalist
Hundreds Were Tortured in Secret Prisons in War-torn Yemen, Human Rights Group Says
Many secret sites held people for lengthy periods, with detainees’ families not knowing where their relatives were held, report based on 2,566 interviews reveals
Saudi Arabia Says It Forces Three Iranian Boats Out of Its Waters
A Saudi boarder guard spokesperson, quoted by Saudi news agency SPA, said the Iranian vessels refused to stop after they entered Saudi waters despite repeated warnings
Analysis Foreign Workers, Rich and Poor, Sent Packing From Gulf States Over Coronavirus Crisis
Workers and families from from South Asia, as well as the U.K., the U.S., and Australia, who spent decades in the region, now have no choice but to leave
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis Target Saudi Capital With Ballistic Missiles and Drones
The Saudi-led coalition battling the Iran-backed group says it intercepted ballistic missile fired by the Houthis towards Riyadh
Saudi Arabia to Hold 'Very Limited' Hajj Due to Coronavirus
Only people of various nationalities already residing in the country would be allowed to perform the hajj
Saudi Arabia to Lift Nationwide Coronavirus Curfew, Resume Economic Activities From Sunday
Restrictions will remain, however, for religious pilgrimages, international travel and social gatherings of more than 50 people
Opinion Led by Saudi Arabia, We Arabs Are Talking Peace. But Israelis Aren’t Listening
For years, a potent Saudi-led Arab camp has been offering Israel security and regional cooperation. Annexation will slam that door shut
Separatists in South Yemen Seize Convoy With Billions of Riyals for Central Bank
The convoy was carrying 64 billion riyals in banknotes printed for the Yemeni central bank in Russia, a government source said
Arms Seized by U.S., Missiles Used to Attack Saudi Arabia 'Of Iranian Origin,' UN Says
Iran rejects claim, says report influenced by U.S. and Saudis ■ Washington meanwhile pushes to extend arms embargo on Iran that is due to expire in October
State Department Discouraged Probe of Saudi Arms Sale, Fired U.S. Official Says
Steve Linick, who Trump fired in May, says Pompeo declined interview regarding the president's decision to declare a national emergency in order to sell arms to Saudi Arabia