Riyadh detains Saudi national for helping Israeli journalist into Mecca

The illegal entry of the Israeli journalist into Mecca occurred before Israel’s Regional Cooperation Minister Esawi Frej requested Saudi Arabia to allow direct flights from Tel Aviv to Mecca for Muslim pilgrims

Israeli official calls for Muslim pilgrim flights from Tel Aviv to Mecca

In recent months, Israeli officials have sought to expand permission for Israeli airlines to fly over the kingdom to Asian destinations

Saudi Arabia denies entry to Israeli FM, delegation for UN event: Report

The Israeli Tourism Ministry released a statement criticizing the UN’s ‘failure to uphold principles of equal treatment’

Oman opens airspace to Israel

This decision was implemented despite Oman and Israel having no diplomatic relations

US pushes Israel, Saudi to develop closer ties, obstacles to normalization remain

Saudi leaders cooperate closely with their Israeli counterparts in support of US foreign policy goals, but have so far resisted full normalization of ties due to the Palestinian question

Saudi Arabia will not normalize with Israel until two-state solution is achieved

On the same day, Netanyahu affirmed that Tel Aviv is ready to normalize relations with Riyadh

Netanyahu says Israel ready to normalize ties with Saudi Arabia

Israel has taken an interest in establishing ties with the kingdom, following the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020

Israel considers peace with Saudi Arabia possible under new government

Despite their vast differences, both the Israeli opposition and those in power today support attacking Iran while advancing ties with Israel's Arab neighbors

Xi Jinping’s Visit to Saudi Arabia and the overthrow of Atlanticism

The historic China-Arab Summit currently underway in Riyadh symbolizes the emerging Eurasianism in the Persian Gulf.

Saudi Arabia quells dissent inside the United States: Report

Saudi Arabia, a key ally of the US and Israel, holds one of the poorest human rights records in the world for several decades

US official demands probe over Saudi Arabia’s influence on Twitter

Saudi Arabia's state-led wealth fund is now the second-largest shareholder in the social media giant, following the takeover by billionaire Elon Musk

What to expect at the Arab League Summit in Algiers

Algeria's strong anti-colonial stance and ties to Russia, Syria and Iran ensures that the upcoming Arab League Summit in Algiers will be anything but business-as-usual

Saudi Arabia Hajj revenue to surpass $350bln by 2032

Saudi Arabia has faced backlash from the Muslim world over its strict regulations and fierce exploitation of the pilgrimage for profit

First Israeli airliner flies over Saudi Arabia’s airspace

The flight operated by Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific airline took off from Hong Kong and landed in Tel Aviv on the morning of 4 August

From Balkh to Konya: Discovering Rumi’s spiritual geopolitics

While Jalal al-Din Rumi is synonymous with Islamic mysticism, a deeper dig brings to light the West Asian political changes and upheaval that shaped his world and other-worldly view.

Israel approves transfer of strategic Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia

Under the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty, Egypt took control of Tiran and Sanafir as the sides agreed to demilitarize the islands

Saudi Arabia prepares to allow commercial flights to and from Israel: Report

The kingdom has permitted Israeli flights over its airspace, as well as Muslim pilgrims from Israel to travel to Mecca

Hamas return ticket to Damascus won’t come cheap

The Palestinian resistance movement’s complicated relationship with Syria is headed for a reset, but it won’t be on their terms.

Profit before pilgrims: Saudis may have forgotten Arab hospitality, but it’s still alive in Iraq

Once a destination immersing Muslim pilgrims in the experience of a common faith, unity and equality, management of the Hajj today runs on the engine of commercialization, wiping out centuries of tradition.

Iraq PM arrives in Saudi Arabia to advance Iran-Saudi negotiations

The main topic suspected to have been discussed between Kadhimi and MbS are the negotiations between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic ties

How Mariupol will become a key hub of Eurasian integration

Mariupol was battered by Ukraine's right-wing Azov battalion well before Moscow launched its military ops. In Russian hands, this strategic steelworks port can transform into a hub of Eurasian connectivity.

United Nations urged to renew mandate of Yemen war crimes investigation team

Organizations says the decision by UN Human Rights Council to not renew the war crimes investigation mandate will increase the impunity of the Saudi-led war on Yemen

KSA accused of using bribes and threats to end UN probe on war crimes committed in Yemen: Report

Riyadh reportedly bribed Togo and made threats against Indonesia to make sure the two UNHRC member states voted against extending the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen

The Pashtun will outlast all empires, but can they hold Afghanistan’s center?

'An empire within an empire,' the Pashtun are essential to understanding the complexities of Afghanistan as a nation-state today. What is the 'Pashtun universe,' and why will they always outlast those who try to govern them?

Crisis-hit Jordan faces an uncertain future

Jordan faces a profound economic crisis, with corruption at the top and unreliable allies in the region. The country will either have to forge an entirely new direction or face a crisis of legitimacy at its core.