Saudi Arabia

July 15, 2026

Riyadh 1:14 pm

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A ship sails off the coast of Ajman on July 10, 2026.

Interview

Why the Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF

The fund's Middle East director, Jihad Azour, told Al-Monitor that the big Gulf energy producers now have more capacity to absorb the shock.

Jihad Azour

Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund

Yemen’s Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa airport: What to know

The Yemeni government claimed that its armed forces struck the Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian plane from landing, while the Houthis accused the government's ally, Saudi Arabia, of carrying out the strikes.

Yemen

A man crosses a street while returning home from work, in Dubai on June 23, 2026. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Saudi-UAE payment blocks could imperil billions in trade: What to know

Delayed bank transfers from Saudi Arabia to accounts in the United Arab Emirates could suggest the rivalry between the region's largest economies is entering a new financial phase.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Analysis

Carney bets on Saudi Arabia to help reduce dependence on US: What to know

Canada's Mark Carney (L) and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) met on the heels of the NATO summit in Riyadh on July 9, 2026.

By Adam Lucente

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

How Iran war could impact oil markets in 2027

Iran

Oil prices ease as OPEC+ increases production, Hormuz traffic rebounds

Oil tankers and cargo vessels are anchored off the coast of Oman after being stranded for days as congestion at Port Sultan Qaboos has prevented them from docking on June 23, 2026 in Muscat, Oman. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for the region's oil and gas, was effectively blockaded since the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran in late February. This week's provisional peace deal between the countries was meant to reopen the waterway to shipping traffic, but the pace of that reo

Saudi Arabia

Analysis

How Iran war shaped divergent paths to security among GCC states

A man walks past the flags of the countries attending the Gulf Cooperation Council summit at Bayan palace in Kuwait City on Dec. 5, 2017.

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Dignitaries pose for a group photo prior to the start of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit at Sakhir Palace in Sakhir south of Manama, Bahrain, December 24, 2012. (From L-R) Bahrain's Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, Emirates' Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maqtoom, Deputy Premier of Omani Cabinet Affairs Fahd Bin Humoud Al Saieed, Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al Ahmed, King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa, Saudi Crown Prince Salman al Saud, Qatari Crown Prince S

US Budget Woes Compound Differences with GCC

Despite security and commercial ties with the United States, there is a growing trust deficit between Washington and Arab states on the Persian Gulf that fear the spread of Arab democratic movements and worry that the U.S. will sacrifice their interests for a deal with Iran.

Saudi Arabia

Grooms take part in a mass wedding ceremony in Tabuk, 1500 km (932 miles) from Riyadh, May 2, 2012. Governor of Tabuk Prince Fahad Bin Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz and a local group organised the mass wedding for about 1600 couples to help youths who are unable to afford expensive ceremonies because of the rising cost of living. REUTERS/Mohamed Alhwaity (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: SOCIETY) - RTR31J79

Saudi Youth Question Traditional Approach to Islam

Saudi youth are seeking Islamic guidance that speaks to the issues they face in their lives, writes Caryle Murphy.

Saudi Arabia

Prince Muqrin and the Question Of Saudi Succession

The appointment by Saudi King Abdullah of his half-brother Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz to the key position of second deputy prime minister raises new questions about who will succeed the Saudi monarch and the next generation of Saudi rulers, writes Thomas Lippman.

Saudi Arabia

Members of the Saudi advisory Shura Council listen to Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayaf Bin Abdul Aziz, brother of Saudi King Abdulah, during his presentation on the security situation in the kingdom, in Jeddah July 1, 2007 REUTERS/Ali Jarekji (SAUDI ARABIA)

Saudi Conservative Women Feel Marginalized by Shura Council Snub

Saudi Arabia was hailed this month for appointing 30 women to its Shura Council, but leading conservative women have expressed disappointment at not being included in the royal list, Ahmed al-Omran writes.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Execution of Sri Lankan Maid Exposes Vulnerability of Foreign Workers

The execution of a Sri Lankan maid, who was charged as a minor with killing a 4-month-old Saudi baby, has drawn attention to the plight of foreign workers in the kingdom, reports Caryle Murphy.

Saudi Arabia

Protesters chant slogans and hold posters during a protest in Qatif March 9, 2011. Saudi Shi'ites staged another small protest in the kingdom's eastern province on Wednesday, defying a ban on demonstrations. More than 100 mostly young men gathered in the main Shi'ite city of Qatif on the Gulf coast to demand the release of prisoners they say are held without trial, witnesses said. Banner "Swear, will never forget you". REUTERS/Stringer (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Saudi Arabia Faces New Challenge From Its Restive Youth

A new book by a veteran American journalist Caryle Murphy predicts that Saudi Arabia faces an “increasingly bumpy” two decades as its youth — who make up more than 60% of the population — demand jobs, economic justice and greater individual freedom.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Why the Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF

Yemen’s Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa airport: What to know

Saudi-UAE payment blocks could imperil billions in trade: What to know

Latest News

Carney bets on Saudi Arabia to help reduce dependence on US: What to know

How Iran war could impact oil markets in 2027

Oil prices ease as OPEC+ increases production, Hormuz traffic rebounds

How Iran war shaped divergent paths to security among GCC states

Our Journalists

Samuel Wendel

Adam Lucente

Jack Dutton

Francesco Schiavi

Sabena Siddiqui

Vanessa Ghanem

US Budget Woes Compound Differences with GCC

Saudi Youth Question Traditional Approach to Islam

Prince Muqrin and the Question Of Saudi Succession

Saudi Conservative Women Feel Marginalized by Shura Council Snub

Saudi Execution of Sri Lankan Maid Exposes Vulnerability of Foreign Workers

Saudi Arabia Faces New Challenge From Its Restive Youth

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