Arab Spring finally comes to Saudi Arabia: Cinemas will be opened?
News Analysis | The Saudi Gazette has reported that the Kingdom will soon be opening cinema and theatres before the end of this year. Former Minister...
Saudi women now allowed to issue Fatwas
News Analysis | In a historic decision passed by the Shura Council, Saudi cleric women are now authorized to issue Fatwas alongside their male counterparts. This extension...
Vision 2030 vs Saudi ultra-conservatives
James M. Dorsey | Saudi Arabia’s lifting of a ban on women’s driving raises a host of questions that transcend the issue of women’s rights...
Saudi Arabia Eases restrictions on messaging apps, but WhatsApp and Viber Are Still Blocked
Afef Abrougui | After more than four years of heavy censorship, Saudi Arabia has eased restrictions on the use of internet-based call and messaging (VoIP) applications. In...
Saudi Arabia Lifts Driving Ban on Women: Is Prince Salman’s Vision 2030 already materializing?
James M. Dorsey | Saudi Arabia’s long-awaited lifting of a ban on women’s driving, widely viewed as a symbol of Saudi misogyny, will likely serve...
Saudi King to visit Moscow: Expects Russia’s help to bring the war in Yemen to an end
M K Bhadrakumar | The forthcoming visit by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Russia (October 4-7) carries great symbolism. Such poignancy is for several reasons –...
Green light to women in Saudi Arabia: Is this the victory they were looking for?
News Analysis | The King of Saudi Arabia has issued a decree allowing women to drive. The order – issued by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud –...
Saudi women & Vision 2030: A test of Prince Salman’s reforms
James M Dorsey | Saudi Arabia's 85th birthday could prove to be historic -- one that could put to the test opposition to Crown Prince...
Surge of Saudi nationalism hurts US interests
M K Bhadrakumar | Reading tea leaves in Saudi politics is hazardous. That makes Moscow’s jubilation over the appointment of Mohammed bin Salman as the...
Qatar attempts to help itself: Citizens of 80 countries allowed visa-free entry
News Analysis | With the ongoing Crisis in the Gulf, Qatar and the national flag bearing airline, Qatar Airways, is facing a massive problem with a...
Hajj 2017: What you need to know
News Analysis | Around two million Muslims from all over the world have gathered this year (2017) in the Holy City of Mecca, Saudi Arabia,...
The blockade defeats its purpose; Doha revives diplomatic ties with Tehran
News Analysis | Doha has decided to send back its envoy to Tehran after he was recalled 20 months ago over Tehran's deterioration of ties with...