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Saudi Arabia

December 25, 2025

Riyadh 6:15 am

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A view of a concrete wall built by Israel near the Blue Line in Maroun al-Ras, Lebanon, on Nov. 13, 2025.

Analysis

France seeks to bolster Lebanon's army through UNIFIL coordination, donor conference

France believes that the key to stabilizing the region is bolstering the Lebanese military so it can regain control over the south of the country.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Saleh Al-OBEIDI / AFP via Getty Images

Yemeni ministries declare support for STC campaign as Gulf tensions flare

Yemen's Saudi-backed government criticized the statements in support of the Southern Transitional Council, which is supported by the UAE, as Gulf states deliberate on how to move forward.

Traffic moves on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai on March 24, 2025.

Analysis

Gulf finance hubs race to expand as hedge funds flock to Dubai, Abu Dhabi

The Gulf’s top financial hubs have posted another strong year in 2025, with the UAE spearheading a regional push to attract hedge funds, asset managers, crypto and fintech firms as regional neighbors target growth of their own.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Egypt lands $572M UAE-backed solar deal, expanding Gulf's clean-energy footprint

Solar panels in a Sinai desert, Egypt.

Saudi Arabia cements ties with Sudan during Burhan visit as UAE rivalry heats up

Sudanese leader Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Dec. 15, 2025.

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

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

An electronic sign on a building shows the price of Brent crude oil in Hong Kong, March 9, 2022.

Brent crude falls nearly 10%, OPEC basket drops slightly

Saudi Arabia has acted to keep prices high recently against the wishes of the US.

Officers of the Directorate of Narcotics Control of Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry sort through tablets of captagon.

Another Captagon bust in Saudi Arabia as drug war continues

The discovery of more than 3 million pills of the drug in Dammam on the Persian Gulf is at least the fourth bust in Saudi Arabia this year.

H.M. King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Saudi Arabia sends $50 million to Jordan for budget as economy falters

The Jordanian government is working to close tax loopholes and increase its revenue collection amid its economic struggle.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Robots to help Muslim pilgrims at holy sites in Saudi Arabia

The robots will explain prayer rituals in Mecca and Medina in multiple languages, according to Saudi religious authorities.

Christian Marquardt/Getty Images

Shareholder Saudi prince rejects Elon Musk’s bid to buy Twitter

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the largest shareholders of the social media giant, believes Twitter is worth more than Musk is offering.

Captagon tablets

Saudi Arabia finds amphetamines hidden in elevator parts

Citizens of Syria, Egypt and two locals were arrested in relation to the incident, according to state media.

Khamenei

As dialogue falters, Khamenei says 'no possibility' of Saudi victory in Yemen

The comments on Twitter by the supreme leader follow the suspension of talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Guests attend the Global AI 2020 Summit in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Oct. 21, 2020.

Saudi Aramco pursues diversification with artificial intelligence center

The Saudi energy giant is flush with cash from oil sales abroad.

captagon

Saudi Arabia confiscates more Captagon pills at Jordan border

Saudi authorities have promised to crackdown on drug smuggling, which they have blamed on Hezbollah.

Guests attend the opening ceremony of the annual Future Investment Initiative conference.

Saudi Arabia announces $600 million in new investment from startups, venture capitalist

Foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia slowed later in 2021 after a promising start, and some entities are reluctant to invest there due to the human rights situation.

A Saudi Arabian airlines Saudia plane is pictured on the tarmac of the Ataturk Airport on April 4, 2019, in Istanbul.

Saudi Arabia resumes visa on arrival for US, EU visa holders

The kingdom greatly relaxed its visa rules before the pandemic in an effort to boost tourism.

Saudi economy

Saudi Arabian export stats show mixed results in non-oil commerce

Saudi Arabia is working to diversify its economy, but figures from January show it remains dependent on foreign oil sales.