Saudi comedy festival draws A-list performers, backlash: What to know The star-studded festival highlights Riyadh’s push to brand itself as a cultural hub even as critics accuse Saudi Arabia of whitewashing its repressive reputation. Saudi Arabia
UAE president meets Saudi crown prince ahead of UN Palestine conference The UAE and Saudi Arabia have strengthened cooperation since the Gaza war began in 2023, though their rivalry over regional influence and economic leadership remains. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Why France is quietly becoming Saudi Arabia’s go-to internal security partner Riyadh seeks French expertise for crowd control, counternarcotics and digital security ahead of a decade of mega-events. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Amid Gulf pressure, Abbas tells Macron 'Hamas will no longer rule Gaza' Abbas has increased his anti-Hamas rhetoric in recent weeks as war rages in Gaza and a deal with Israel remains elusive, but the group has refused the call to disarm. Palestine
Analysis Can Modi leverage Saudi-China ties to reshape India’s global standing? By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis Italy revamps ties with Saudi Arabia, eyeing investments and defense trade By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Saudi Arabia ignores Trump administration on Yemen US officials have called for confidence-building measures leading up to peace talks for Yemen, but the Saudis don't seem to be listening. Saudi Arabia
Hariri turns witness for MBS defense Crowd laughs at Saudi crown prince’s joke about Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s captivity; Can Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold the moral high ground in Jamal Khashoggi case? Saudi Arabia
Hunt for Khashoggi's body continues in Istanbul As a search continued for a dissident Saudi journalist's body in Istanbul, Turkey's president said more will be revealed Tuesday; a Saudi official tells Reuters the body was rolled up in a carpet and given to a collaborator for disposal. Saudi Arabia
Saad Hariri: loose witness in MBS prosecution The Lebanese prime minister now has one on the crown prince; Mohammed bin Salman goes after his inner circle; Netanyahu needs Putin for possible deal on the Golan. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's shifting narrative on Khashoggi reveals fragility The Khashoggi affair is the latest example of how Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has become a liability for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia says Khashoggi killed in ‘brawl' In a statement Friday night, Saudi Arabia said Jamal Khashoggi died in an Oct. 2 fistfight at the country’s Istanbul consulate, after days of denying knowledge of the dissident journalist’s whereabouts. Saudi Arabia
Decoding the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi Investigators are making headway in the death of a journalist with Saudi, Turkish and US ties. Saudi Arabia
Gulf countries concerned as Turkey cozies up to Kuwait Turkey’s military cooperation accord with Kuwait raises eyebrows in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Commentary: Saudi First foreign policy comes back to bite Trump US alignment with Riyadh’s worldview is under scrutiny after the disappearance of journalist and regime critic Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia
Trump weighs Saudi Arabia’s fate in Khashoggi affair The US president said “a lot of work” is being done on the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and promised “there'll be something that has to take place.” Saudi Arabia
