Strange Timing: Saudi Announces Nuclear Deal
CROSSROADS ARABIA: With demand for energy soaring in the Kingdom it’s no surprise that the authorities are looking at nuclear energy. In the wake of the Fukushima catastrophe they will, though, face questions from an uneasy public.
Iran: Problems on the Horizon for Gulf States
DAVID ROBERTS: These events take place in the context of growing Shia power, encapsulated by the notion of a Shia crescent ‘enveloping’ the region…
Saudi Oil: It’s a World, not just an American, Concern
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Whenever the words ‘United States’ and ‘Saudi Arabia’ occur in the same sentence it seems inevitable that the phrase ‘dependence on oil’ will appear too.
The Saudi Time Machine – Only Goes Backwards
EMAN AL NAFJAN: These past couple of weeks have convinced me the government has made a huge scientific discovery, the time machine.
“Treat Us Like Adults”: Saudi Women Demand Basic Rights
CROSSROADS ARABIA: It’s simple – women in Saudi Arabia can’t wait for enlightened men to grant them rights, they are going to have to force the issue.
Saudi Elections: Too Soon, And Too Little?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Arab News reports that the government has set a date for the second municipal elections. It does not report women cannot take part.
Saudi Arabian’s Captain Hits Media Turbulence
STEVE ROYSTON: Arab media seldom uses unflattering images, especially on dignitaries who are part of the establishment, as Mr Al Molhem is…
Comment on Note to Saudi Ministry of Planning: ‘Please Plan’ by nour soliman
I am organising the affordable housing development summit in Riyadh in October 2011
Please get in touch with me so we could have a chat about this.
I am writing a preliminary agenda and would appreciate talking to you, pasrt of my research.
Best regards,
Failed Saudization Policy: The Finger Pointing Begins
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Saudization is simply not working so someone’s got to be doing something wrong. There seems no end of potential culprits.
Sharp Divides Emerge over Saudi Reforms
STEVE ROYSTON: It’s not easy for a nation to move from a state where all things flow from the King to one where a country’s wealth belongs to its citizens.
Labour: The GCC’s Most Dangerous Addiction
STEVE ROYSTON: Low-paid migrant workers keep their host countries running by doing the jobs that the locals refuse to do. Their presence is resented by many.
New Indonesian Rules on Domestics Irk Saudis
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Indonesian authorities have moved to protect their nationals working as domestic help – and many Saudis aren’t happy.
Saudi Student’s Arrest Will Have Unplanned Repercussions in the U.S.
ROB L. WAGNER: The U.S.’s reaction to Khalid Aldawsari’s terrorism-related charges could play into the hands of conservatives in the Kingdom.
Why Bahrain Trumps Dubai – Demographics
STEVE ROYSTON: This is not intended as a fluffy message of support. Bahrain has simply travelled further than any of its neighbours down the path of open-mindedness. And it’s a ‘real’ country.
The Reasons Why Saudi Arabia Will Not Fall
ROB L. WAGNER: Western analysts are engaging in wishful thinking that Saudi Arabia is ripe for a revolution. The Kingdom is no Egypt or Tunisia.
Why Saudi Drivers are not Smiling
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The issue of traffic fines elicits Pavlovian-response rage from drivers wherever they are in the world, but nowhere more so than in Saudi.
Something Amiss About Saudi Oil Reserve Story
CROSSROADS ARABIA: ‘Saudi overstates oil reserves by 40%’ blasted the headlines. Cue global panic. But the story deserves a little more investigation…
Watching Egypt – The View From The Other Side of the Arab World
STEVE ROYSTON: I have had a few conversations whether Egypt will impact Saudi. My answer would be no – at least not in the current conditions.
Quiet Revolution: The Saudi, Female Brain Drain
ROB L. WAGNER: Saudi Arabia is sending thousands of women to foreign universities to obtain undergrad and postgrad degrees. Job prospects upon returning home are dim.
Saudi Arabia – Why Western Consultants Fail
STEVE ROYSTON: If they are to be lasting, appropriate and sustainable, the solutions themselves must come from within, not from the West.
