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Saudi Arabia

June 8, 2025

Riyadh 5:43 pm

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Muslim worshippers make their way towards the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque complex in in the holy city of Mecca to take part in morning prayers on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice, early on June 6, 2025.

In photos: Muslims kick off Eid al-Adha across the Middle East

The holiday’s arrival cast a spotlight on deepening humanitarian crises, leadership transitions and shifting regional dynamics.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Mideast airlines to deliver industry’s highest profit margins in 2025

The region's airlines are forecast to hit a profit margin of 8.7% in 2025, slightly lower than last year's figure of 8.9% but the highest in the industry.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud (R) receives his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, prior to their meeting in Riyadh on April 25, 2025.

Israel blocks Saudi, UAE and other FMs from West Bank visit: What to know

The move to block the visit comes amid heightened international pressure on Israel to end its military offensive in Gaza and make progress toward Palestinian statehood, a key condition for normalization with Riyadh.

Latest News

Saudi Arabia releases Iranian cleric who criticized Hajj: What to know

The pilgrims' convoy departs from the city of Al-Dana, Syria, to Damascus Airport in order to set off to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj rituals on May 21, 2025.

Tom Barrack talks Syria aid during Saudi Arabia, Jordan visits: What to know

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan meets with United States special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack.

China expands visa-free policy to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait

JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Francesco Schiavi

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

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

Sabena Siddiqui

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

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Delegates arrive for the opening session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, UNCCD COP16, in the Saudi capital Riyadh on December 2, 2024. Saudi Arabia is hosting the COP16 UN conference on land degradation and desertification as the top oil exporter pitches itself as an environmental defender despite criticism of its role at climate talks. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia markets Middle East's first euro green bond: What to know

The kingdom, currently the world’s top oil exporter, looks to have half of its electricity powered by renewable energy by 2030.

Hafez Gallery

AL-Monitor Riyadh: Lebanese artist Lana Khayat at Hafez Gallery

This week, we take you through the opening of a new exhibition by Lebanese artist Lana Khayat at Hafez Gallery in Riyadh.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) meets with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on February 17, 2025. (Photo by Evelyn Hockstein / POOL / AFP) (Photo by EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Why Trump turned to Saudi Arabia for US-Russia talks

The high-level talks are an opportunity for Saudi Arabia to burnish its credentials as the Middle East's power broker.

TOPSHOT - (L to R) US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban, the Russian president's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend a meeting together at Riyadh's Diriyah Palace on February 18, 2025. Top US and Russian diplomats were meeting in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for talks on res

US-Russia talks conclude in Saudi Arabia, most high-level meeting since 2023: What to know

The US State Department said one purpose of the talks was to “reestablish” bilateral relations with Russia as Saudi Arabia seeks to mediate between the two.

MARCO LONGARI/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

BRICS waits on Saudi Arabia as Trump raises stakes for bloc’s Mideast growth

The BRICS group's influence is growing, and its expansion could accelerate if Saudi Arabia commits to joining.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Turkish Air Force fighter jets perform a military parade over the Bosphorus on Oct. 29, 2023.

Analysis

Turkey-Saudi defense ties see momentum with potential $6B deal: What to know

The Turkish-Saudi defense collaboration faces challenges despite promising advancements.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump step off Air Force One upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on May 20, 2017. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Where US-Saudi ties stand as Trump eyes kingdom for Russia summit

Saudi Arabia could host a meeting between the president and his Russian counterpart on the Ukraine war as investment ties grow and Trump helps move along the LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger.

Emiratis walk past a French Rafale fighter jet displayed during the Dubai Airshow on November 14, 2017, in the United Arab Emirates. / AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB (Photo credit should read KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

France's burgeoning Gulf military influence: Rafale jets, naval systems and integration

France has emerged as the second-largest global arms exporter, surpassing Russia and solidifying its position as the leading European arms supplier to the Middle East.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Report Error exhibit

AL-Monitor Riyadh: 'Report Error' transforms daily items in Abha

This week we guide you through exhibitions in Abha, Riyadh and Jeddah, showcasing the work of younger to mid-career Saudi artists.

An unidentified man speaks at the preliminary meeting for the fourth edition of the LEAP technology conference, set for Feb. 9-12, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 4, 2025.

Billions invested in AI, data centers at Saudi's LEAP summit: What to know

The four-day event saw billions of dollars worth of investment poured into artificial intelligence projects — many of them in Saudi Arabia.

Shaibani

At Dubai summit, Syrian FM expresses interest in Baghdad visit

On his second trip to the United Arab Emirates since assuming his role, new Syria Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani stressed the need for good neighborly relations, lifting of sanctions and guaranteed rights for minorities in the country.

A visitor walks past an installation from the Food for Thought collection by contemporary Saudi artist Maha Malluh on display at Sotheby's Origins exhibition ahead of its international auction in Diriyah in Riyadh on February 5, 2025. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION - TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTION (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

AL-Monitor Riyadh: Sotheby's first ever auction in Saudi Arabia

This week, Sotheby’s will stage its first ever live international auction in Saudi Arabia.