About: Saudi Arabia
Biden ends US support for Yemen war
President Joe Biden will Thursday (4 February) announce an end to US military support for the Saudi allies' devastating war in Yemen in a speech meant to show a reinvigorated focus on diplomacy.
Turkey blocks Cyprus from joining UN disarmament talks
Talks aimed at overcoming a years-long deadlock over disarmament at the United Nations began in acrimony on Monday (18 January) with two countries blocking rivals from taking part in widely criticised manoeuvres that sparked concern about the forum’s future.
Fearing famine, UN calls on US to reverse Huthi ‘terrorists’ label
The United States must cancel its decision to classify Yemen's Huthi rebels as "terrorists" to avoid a catastrophic famine, several United Nations officials told the Security Council on Thursday (14 January).
EU criticises US labelling Yemen Huthi rebels as ‘terrorists’
The European Union on Tuesday (12 January) hit out at the decision by the United States to label Yemen's Huthi rebels as "terrorists", warning it could hinder peace efforts and aid deliveries.
US State Department approves sale of 3,000 smart bombs to Saudi Arabia
The US State Department has approved the potential sale of 3,000 precision guided munitions to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a deal valued at up to $290 billion, the Pentagon said on Tuesday (29 December).
Covert Israeli-Saudi meeting sends Biden a strong message on Iran
A historic meeting between Israel’s prime minister and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince has sent a strong signal to allies and enemies alike that the two countries remain deeply committed to containing their common foe Iran.
G20 throws weight behind global Covid-19 vaccine access at Saudi-hosted summit
G20 nations emphasised the need for global access to coronavirus vaccines at a Saudi-hosted virtual summit Saturday (21 November) dominated by efforts to tackle the pandemic and the worst global recession in decades. World leaders, including US President Donald Trump...
Mideast heads for policy revamp under Biden
Contrary to Donald Trump's impulsive policies in the Middle East, Joe Biden is expected to shift back to a more conventional US stance and re-engage with Iran, redrawing regional geopolitics.
45 lawmakers urge US to boycott Saudi-hosted G20
Forty-five American lawmakers have urged the US government to boycott next month's G20 summit in Riyadh unless Saudi authorities address key human rights concerns, according to correspondence released Wednesday (21 October).OpinionStakeholder Opinion
EU and Saudi Arabia: Common challenges, joint efforts, shared goals
As the first Ambassador in the diplomatic mission of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the European Union, I am often asked why we have taken the initiative to change our outreach in Brussels by creating a separate Mission to the EU, after more than half a century of diplomatic relations, writes Saad Bin Mohammed Alarify.
OPEC, Russia approve biggest-ever oil cut to support prices amid coronavirus pandemic
OPEC and allies led by Russia agreed on Sunday (12 April) to a record cut in output to prop up oil prices amid the coronavirus pandemic in an unprecedented deal with fellow oil nations, including the United States, that could curb global oil supply by 20%.
G20 leaders to inject $5 trillion into global economy in fight against coronavirus
Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies pledged on Thursday (26 March) to inject over $5 trillion into the global economy to limit job and income losses from the coronavirus and "do whatever it takes to overcome the pandemic."
US shale will be first casualty of oil price war
Although the oil price war was triggered by the Russia-Saudi fall-out, US shale will be the first casualty, writes Robin Mills. In the process, the US will learn that producing a lot of oil at high prices is not the “energy dominance” it has made a centrepiece of foreign policy, he argues.
Saudi Arabia floods globe to squeeze Russia’s share of oil market
Saudi Arabia has stepped up efforts to squeeze Russia’s Urals oil grade out of its main markets by offering its own cheap barrels instead after their long-standing deal to support global oil prices fell apart, seven oil sources said.
US shale under pressure to make ‘at least’ 25% price cuts
US shale producers are seeking sharp service costs cuts to deal with plummeting prices and shrinking demand, according to executives and a letter sent to top providers, driving home the oil industry’s desperate efforts to cope with a market dive.
Russia to OPEC – deeper oil cuts won’t work
This week’s oil price rout had become inevitable and cutting output has ceased to make sense because it is unclear how deep the impact of the coronavirus on demand will be, Russia’s deputy energy minister said in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday (11 March).
Russian ministry, oil firms to meet after OPEC talks collapse and prices plunge
Russia’s Energy Ministry will meet with the country’s oil companies on Wednesday (11 March) to discuss future cooperation with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, among other issues, two sources familiar with the plan told Reuters.
G20 finance heads wrap up Riyadh meeting overshadowed by virus outbreak
Finance leaders of the world's top 20 economies wrapped up their two-day meeting on Sunday (23 February) in Riyadh that was dominated by growing concern over the widening fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
Commission: Yemen is the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis
Obstruction by the rebel Huthi authorities in northern Yemen has put the world's biggest humanitarian lifeline at risk, threatening millions with starvation.
UN experts demand probe into alleged Saudi hack of Amazon boss Bezos
U.N. experts have demanded an immediate investigation by U.S. and other authorities into allegations that Saudi Arabia’s crown prince was involved in a plot to hack the phone of Amazon boss and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos.
US kills top Iranian commander Soleimani in air strike
The United States killed Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force and architect of Iran’s spreading military influence in the Middle East, in an air strike on Friday (3 December) at Baghdad airport, the Pentagon and Iran...
COP25: Major developing countries still reluctant to amend Paris Agreement to ‘foot climate bill’
Countries such as Brazil, China and Saudi Arabia, are criticising Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement and its carbon offsetting mechanism even though they are currently not footing the "climate bill". A stance which climate advocates fear will weaken the entire treaty. EURACTIV France reports.
China’s growing interest in Saudi Aramco is part of a long game
The Aramco public offering gives China an opportunity to gain a foothold at the center of the global oil industry. According to Joseph Dana, the move is part of a longer-term attempt by Beijing to challenge the dollar’s dominance as the world’s universal currency.