U.S.: Damned If It Does Act, Damned If It Doesn’t
CROSSROADS ARABIA: ‘Where are the Americans?’ is a question that’s being asked in Syria at the moment.
Saudi Authorities Crack Down on ‘Book Fair Louts’
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information has taken a firm line on trouble-makers at the Riyadh Book Fair.
Kashghari and Diminishing Free Speech
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The case of Hamza Kashghari, the Saudi journalist that expressed doubts about religion, is energizing free-speech advocates
Major Clampdown on Saudi Press Freedom
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The now infamous Saudi blogger Hamza Kashgari is not the only one to feel the full force of new Saudi laws.
Saudi Begins to Push Transparency in Government
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Saudi is pushing government transparency, with officials with decision-making authority required to disclose financial status.
‘Saher’: Making Saudi Roads Safer
CROSSROADS ARABIA: It’s widely disliked but since its introduction around a year and a half ago Saher has made a major difference.
Twitter Makes a Good Call: No Boycott Needed
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Twitter’s new censorship policy has turned up a hornet’s nest of ire throughout the social media world. But have they done the right thing?
Saudi’s Stark Employment Imbalance: For Every One Saudi, 15 Expatriates Hired
CROSSROADS ARABIA: These jobs are all critical to society – they are honest jobs. The one thing they don’t carry, however, is status.
New Head of Saudi Religious Police: A Moderate?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: A well known supporter of the right of women to work Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh still has a traditional view of their place within Saudi society.
Foreign Workers Feel The Heat in Saudi Arabia
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Saudization plan is in place but it appears that foreign workers are being actively demonised in the Kingdom.
Saudi Universities Producing ‘Unemployable’ Graduates
CROSSROADS ARABIA: There is a huge problem with third level education in the Kingdom. But will anything ever be done about it?
Saudi Arabia’s Looming Energy Crisis… Fuelling International Concerns
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Demand is outstripping the ability to produce enough oil and natural gas AND continue programs of welfare at the same time.
Learning English in the Kingdom: ‘Could Do Better’
CROSSROADS ARABIA: English is vital in today’s interconnected world. The problem: in Saudi teaching it is not treated seriously.
Saudi Business: Nitiqat Conformity Contortions
CROSSROADS ARABIA: A young Saudi discovered he had been employed by a company about which he knew nothing and to which he had never applied
Danger to America: The All American Muslim
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The group claims showing Muslims as ordinary, hides the fact that some are terrorists. The show therefore is a danger to America.
Saudi Water: Time for Everyone to Pay?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: It’s a matter of great sensitivity for the authorities but it appears that the time is drawing close when everyone in Saudi Arabia will have to pay for this precious resource.
Reality TV: Challenging US Muslim Sterotypes
Reality TV show All-American Muslim is a step ahead in exposing American Muslim society as diverse, but also continues to perpetrate several stereotypes.
Saudi Arabia: A Call to End Flogging
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Columnist Khalid Alnowaiser argues it’s time for Saudi to abandon lashing. He makes a fair argument, but perhaps not the best.
Nuclear Weapons: The Only Route to Success?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: A Saudi commentator suggests the only way to gain respect in international relations is via nuclear weapons. Is he right?
Is Ijtihad the Key to Addressing Modern Issues?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: When the door of “ijtihad” was closed, the consensus was there would be no more independent reasoning in religious law
