Saudi Arabia

The war in Gaza has not destroyed normalisation … for now
The war in Gaza has not destroyed normalisation … for now
Arab governments who have diplomatic relations with Israel, such as Egypt and Jordan, are under increasing pressure from their populations to sever ties amid a growing outcry over…
The Fix: An evolving Saudi Arabia
The Fix: An evolving Saudi Arabia
We’re asking contributors to put together their own collected observations like this one – and as always, if you’ve got an idea to pitch for The Interpreter, drop a line via the…
History repeats: A new (old) economic corridor emerges
History repeats: A new (old) economic corridor emerges
The newly announced India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) seeks to reimagine the natural connectivity of eras past. Historic trading links between the Indian…
Israel and Saudi Arabia: Finally, a New Middle East?
Israel and Saudi Arabia: Finally, a New Middle East?
A diplomatic deal normalising relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia – a breakthrough that would have been inconceivable several years ago – is suddenly a plausible prospect. …
China to the rescue, with peace plans for Saudi, Iran, Russia, Ukraine and Afghanistan – up to a point
China to the rescue, with peace plans for Saudi, Iran, Russia, Ukraine and Afghanistan – up to a point
In another sign of its increasingly prolific international diplomacy, China last month released an 11-point position paper on the “Afghan Issue”. China’s Afghan démarche came just…
China trumpets the Saudi-Iran deal, yet much credit goes to Pakistan 
China trumpets the Saudi-Iran deal, yet much credit goes to Pakistan 
China’s brokering of a Saudi Arabia-Iran peace deal was presented earlier this month as a diplomatic blockbuster, a sign of the country’s growing influence in the oil-rich Middle…
China’s catch-up game in the Middle East
China’s catch-up game in the Middle East
China’s President Xi Jinping’s visit to the Gulf states this month was accompanied by much fanfare and another example – if such was needed – of Beijing’s desire to challenge…
A step-up for China’s involvement in the Middle East
A step-up for China’s involvement in the Middle East
As China has increased its global reach and ambitions elsewhere over the past two decades, the Middle East has remained a backwater for China’s diplomacy. China has kept a…
Saudi Arabia and China: a blossoming friendship
Saudi Arabia and China: a blossoming friendship
As the relationship between longtime allies Saudi Arabia and the United States becomes increasingly strained, China could cultivate a stronger bond with the Middle Eastern kingdom…
The Gulf’s diversification dilemma
The Gulf’s diversification dilemma
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had posed difficult questions for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and exposed the costs of pursuing a more diversified series of diplomatic,…