Karim Benzema to leave Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia's Pro League

Reports emerged this week that the 35-year-old French striker was offered a two-year contract worth €400 million to move to the Saudi Pro League's Al Ittihad.

Saudi Arabia

Analysis

Gulf space sector attracts private companies, including Bezos' Blue Origin

The Middle East and North Africa is one of the world's most active regions in expressing interest in space technology and travel.

By Salim A. Essaid

Analysis

What's behind Saudi Arabia’s decision to restore ties with Canada?

Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador in 2018 following Canada’s criticism of women’s rights activists in the Gulf country.

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

From roads to routers: The future of China-Middle East connectivity

Latest Trend Report: China is deepening its engagement in the Middle East, and the region, by and large, is welcoming it.

Israeli-Saudi normalization still elusive despite US push

The Biden administration is seeking full diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, but Riyadh is unlikely to embrace normalization without significant concessions.

Saudi Arabia

Russian interior minister visits Saudi Arabia in Zelenskyy's wake

The Ukrainian president criticized the Russian invasion during his surprise trip to Saudi Arabia to attend the Arab League summit.

Saudi Arabia

Meet Rayyanah Barnawi, Saudi Arabia's first female astronaut to go to space

Rayyanah Barnawi said she’ll be taking Arabic coffee with her to drink aboard the International Space Station, teaching children, and practicing zero-gravity space flips with her colleagues.

Saudi Arabia

Analysis

Biden gives priority to Israel-Saudi normalization

All three parties want a deal, and 2024 is an election year; Syrian Kurdish leader expects little from Arab League normalization with Syria.

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

Germany, Italy hold talks with Saudi Arabia, Qatar to strengthen energy ties

Italy is looking for capital from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for a new fund Rome is setting up to help domestic companies in strategically important sectors.

Saudi Arabia

Ukraine’s Zelensky in Saudi Arabia for Arab League summit

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who's also attending, is expected to discuss the drug trade and Syrian refugees at his first summit since Syria was readmitted to the Arab League.

Saudi Arabia

Syria's Assad lands in Saudi Arabia seeking financial incentives at Arab summit

Robert Ford, the last US ambassador to Syria, said the Jeddah summit will likely end with “nice promises” in front of the cameras but a different outcome in reality as normalization with Assad, overriding sanctions and the return of refugees face mounting hurdles.

Saudi Arabia

Israeli-Saudi normalization efforts top Ronen Levy's agenda in Washington

An Israeli diplomatic source told Al-Monitor on Tuesday that "the key to an Israeli-Saudi agreement lies in Washington... it is on President Biden's desk and not buried deep in a side drawer.”

Israel