As Ukraine war grinds on, Saudi influence grows

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (center right) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (center left) at al-Salam Palace in the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on Saturday. | SAUDI ROYAL PALACE / VIA AFP-JIJI

Riyadh – Saudi Arabia’s unexpected role in brokering the release of foreign fighters detained in Ukraine was just the latest example of how the kingdom is seeking to bolster its international standing, diplomats and analysts say. It also enables Riyadh to argue that preserving ties with Moscow — a source of tension with Washington, especially

‘We intend to build a positive relationship with our neighbours in Iran,’ Saudi FM says

'We intend to build a positive relationship with our neighbours in Iran,' Saudi FM says

Issued on: 23/09/2022 – 15:04 In an interview with FRANCE 24 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said that his country had concerns about a possible revived nuclear deal between Western powers and Iran, especially over IAEA inspections. However, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said

Israel and Saudi Arabia: No longer enemies but not quite friends

Palestinians angered at the thawing of relation between Arab states and Israel burn photos of U.S. President Donald Trump, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a protest in Ramallah, West Bank, in August 2020.   | REUTERS

Israel’s longest-serving prime minister pops up on Saudi state-run television from Tel Aviv. An Israeli-American declares himself the “chief rabbi of Saudi Arabia” after arriving on a tourist visa. A prominent Saudi family invests in two Israeli companies and doesn’t bother to hide it. All these recent events would have been unthinkable not long ago.

Oleksandr Usyk’s win leaves boxing with more questions than answers

Oleksandr Usyk punches Anthony Joshua during their bout for the WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF titles in Jeddah on Aug. 20. | AFP-JIJI

Before Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine outclassed Anthony Joshua to win their heavyweight championship rematch, Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, boasted about credulity-stretching feats of physical output he had seen the Ukrainian boxer perform in training. He mentioned a six-hour bike ride in the 110-degree (43 degrees Celsius) heat in Saudi Arabia, where Saturday night’s bout took

Warring sides in Yemen agree to extend truce for two months

Warring sides in Yemen agree to extend truce for two months

Issued on: 03/08/2022 – 00:23 Yemen’s warring sides agreed to renew a two-month truce expiring on Tuesday, the United Nations envoy said, despite international pressure for an extended and expanded deal that would build on the longest stretch of relative calm in over seven years. “This truce extension includes a commitment from the parties to

War in Ukraine ‘has changed the equation’ between the West and Saudi’s MBS

War in Ukraine ‘has changed the equation’ between the West and Saudi’s MBS

Issued on: 28/07/2022 – 19:20 French President Emmanuel Macron will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on Thursday for a working dinner and talks at the Elysée Palace. The meeting comes as Western nations, including France, seek to diversify their oil supplies amid the war in Ukraine and revive a nuclear deal with Iran. Macron has

Biden says he raised killing of journalist Khashoggi at meeting with Saudi’s MBS

Biden says he raised killing of journalist Khashoggi at meeting with Saudi’s MBS

Issued on: 15/07/2022 – 23:00 US President Joe Biden said Friday he raised the 2018 killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi “at the top of the meeting” with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in Jeddah, on day three of his first Middle East tour as president. “What happened to Khashoggi was outrageous …

Biden commends Saudi decision to end Israel ban by opening airspace to all carries

Biden commends Saudi decision to end Israel ban by opening airspace to all carries

Issued on: 15/07/2022 – 03:19 Saudi Arabia announced Friday it was lifting restrictions on “all carriers” using its airspace, an apparent gesture of openness towards Israel ahead of US President Joe Biden’s arrival.   It was the latest conciliatory move by Riyadh concerning the Jewish state, which it has refused to recognise despite intensive efforts

Biden heads to Middle East for delicate first tour as US president

Biden heads to Middle East for delicate first tour as US president

Issued on: 13/07/2022 – 07:56 US President Joe Biden lands in the Middle East on Wednesday for a trip that will see Israeli leaders urge tougher action against Iran, before a delicate stop in Saudi Arabia. The 79-year-old president‘s visit to Jeddah on Friday will be the focus of the tour, after Biden branded Saudi

Killing of Palestinian journalist threatens to overshadow Biden’s Israel trip

Killing of Palestinian journalist threatens to overshadow Biden's Israel trip

Issued on: 12/07/2022 – 13:08 Joe Biden flies to the Middle East on Tuesday for his first trip to the region since entering the White House. Before a visit to Saudi Arabia – one which reawakens the age-old foreign policy dilemma of realpolitik versus human rights – the US president goes to Israel, where he

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