Saudi ‘Female Soccer Controversy Leads To Major Discussion
JAMES DORSEY: The attendance of American female senators at a soccer match in Riyadh has sparked a massive debate
‘Busted!’ Major Crackdown on Illegal Workers in Saudi Arabia
ROB L. WAGNER: Although it had been widely anticipated the scale of the recent crackdown in the Kingdom has surprised many people
‘Little Green Men vs Arabs’: Simple Choice for U.S Readers
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Selling Arabic literature, in translation, to a U.S audience is particularly challenging
‘Wadjda’ – A Beautiful, Nuanced Evocation of Saudi Life
STEVE ROYSTON: It’s the story of a young girl’s everyday life in Riyadh. How many Saudis, though, will give up the chance to see the latest CGI blockbuster to view it?
Expensive Kingdom: Why Projects Cost So Much More in KSA
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Corruption, nepotism, the ridiculous cost of real estate in Saudi Arabia. These are just some of the reasons projects in the Kingdom cost so much
The Good, Bad and Interesting of Life in Jeddah
ABU MOHAMMED: Life’s more expensive than the capital, Riyadh, but Jeddah provdes a haven of outdoor art and it’s close to the sacred sites.
Strike: Pressure on Saudi Expat Workers Telling
CROSSROADS ARABIA: A substantial number of expat workers went on strike in Riyadh this week. It’s indicative of larger issues beneath the surface
2012: The Year of the Inane Political Fatwa
CROSSROADS ARABIA: They came thick and fast throughout the last year. Many of them, though, just serve to devalue the meaning of a religious edict
Riyadh’s DQ: The Oasis that Became A Ghetto
AHMED AL OMRAN: It was supposed to be a model to inspire the development of modern Riyadh. So what’s gone wrong with Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter?
Was ‘Girls of Riyadh’ Raja’s ‘Rooster’s Egg’?
AHMED AL OMRAN: Her book caused an inevitable furore when it first appeared. So why haven’t we heard more from Raja Al Sanea?
Tim Mackintosh-Smith: Is He A ‘Yemeni National Treasure?’
STEVE DORSEY: I had the privilege recently to spend time in the company of the renowned British travel writer who lives in Sana’a. A truly impressive evening.
Race in Arab World: Is There a ‘$1 Million Advantage?’
ABU MOHAMMED: Skin colour, according to Jesse Jackson, conferred a significant financial benefit. Is the same true in the Arab World?
Healthcare in Saudi, the US and UK: Who does it Right?
STEVE ROYSTON: In one respect he is fortunate: Saudi has abundant resources to throw at these problems, unlike the US and the UK, where health services are competing for funds.
Could Saudi Arabia become a Net Oil Importer?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: If the rate continues as it is going, Saudi Arabia could be a net importer of oil in 17 years’ time. That’s plausible, based on the figures, but unlikely…
Saudis’ Water Consumption ‘Unsustainable’
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Advances in solar power and nuclear plants will help Saudis address their energy issues but water consumption is a major issue.
Defamation Case Awaits Shahrkani Hate Tweeters
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Her father ought not have a hard time winning cases against those posting false and defamatory information on Facebook and Twitter.
U.S Power: The Ultimate Guarantor for Gulf States
DAVID ROBERTS: The Saudi authorities have been actively promoting a union of Gulf states but with little success. There’s a clear reason why.
U-Turn: KSA to Support Women Olympiads
CROSSROADS ARABIA: In March Saudi announced it would support women athletes. In April it reversed its position. Now June, and it appears female athletes will receive support.
Women Only ‘Industrial Cities’ For Saudi Arabia
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The announcement of four industrial cities to be staffed entirely by women marks a further step in the ‘separate but equal’ doctrine
The Death of Crown Prince Nayef, What Next?
DAVID ROBERTS: That the Saudi Royal family has suffered another key death within a year is concerning but can come as no surprise.
