Saudi Arabia

by Dario Salvi | GATEWAY TO THE EAST

Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are investing billions in artificial intelligence and data centres in a two horse race followed with attention and some fear in Washington and Beijing who are trying to boost their partnerships. Gulf states have energy and money, but still lacks qualified talents and brilliant minds. In the first quarter, Saudi GDP boomed, driven by the non-oil sector.

by Dario Salvi

According to Amnesty International's report, 91 per cent of known death sentences have been handed down in Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. There is no reliable data for China, North Korea and Vietnam since the information is treated as a state secret. Iran has experienced a boom in executions, partly to crack down on protest. Governments have weaponised the death penalty under the pretext of improving security.

| 08/04/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST

Middle East Eye investigation: Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are linked through Kushner's Affinity Partners to UN blacklisted companies. Involved are banks and companies in telecommunications, transportation, energy, engineering and retail. Business in settlements stronger than solidarity with Palestinians.

 

| 17/03/2025
| GULF - ISRAEL

The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) and the Saudi Film Commission (SFC) are set to work together to develop cooperation in the film industry. The two sides inked an agreement, based on a 2019 memorandum of understanding, to encourage cultural exchange, film co-production and technological innovation, with training and networking initiatives between industry professionals.

| 21/02/2025
| SOUTH KOREA – SAUDI ARABIA
by Dario Salvi

Saudi Arabia is at the crossroads of several global issues, from the war in Ukraine to the future of the Gaza Strip and Iranian nuclear power. Under the leadership of bin Salman, the kingdom has strengthened relations with Trump and defused tensions with Tehran. The game of normalisation with Israel and the internal challenge with the United Arab Emirates for hegemony in the Gulf.

| 18/02/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST

The Rosary Sisters nun who shared life with Gazans under Hamas rule as well as the suffering of war spoke to AsiaNews about the US president’s statement in favour of expelling Palestinians from Gaza to turn it into a “Riviera” of the Middle East. For her, Palestinians must be able to live on their own land; otherwise, it would be “like telling the American people to abandon their land”.

| 05/02/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE – UNITED STATES
by Dario Salvi

Saudi Arabia will allow foreign capital to invest in Islam’s two holiest cities. Foreigners will be able to buy shares (up to 49 per cent) but direct ownership of real estate is excluded. Jordanian scholar Al Sabaileh told AsiaNews that with Mohammed bin Salman, the country is experiencing a "total change" with the economy dictating foreign and domestic policy choices. Peace with Israel would be a “gigantic step”.

| 29/01/2025
| SAUDI ARABIA
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