Saudi Arabia – The Diplomat

The Emerging Contours of Saudi-Emirati Competition in Southeast Asia

Timothy Bettis — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 11:13:00 +0900

The two gulf states' growing diplomatic and economic outreach to the region is beginning to develop a competitive dynamic.

Gulf States’ Growing Aid Diplomacy in Indonesia

Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama — Mon, 22 May 2023 09:11:00 +0900

As the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia is receiving increased attention from the wealthy states of the Middle East.

The China-brokered Iran-Saudi Peace Deal: Implications For Indonesia

Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 18:24:00 +0900

The prospects of China acting as a peace mediator are much less likely closer to home.

President Marcos’ Likely Foreign Policy Towards the Gulf States

Asma Alkaabi and Alvin Camba — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 10:57:00 +0900

Good relations with the Middle East would support the Philippine leader's three main domestic policy priorities.

India-Saudi Security Ties Getting Stronger

Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 03:27:00 +0900

While energy security continues to dominate the agenda, security and defense cooperation are becoming more important in the India-Saudi relationship.

Shock Saudi Move Causes Historic One-Day Plunge in Price of Crude Oil: What Next?

Ankit Panda — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 10:26:00 +0900

Early on Monday, Brent crude fell by more than 20 percent, dropping to levels unseen since 2015-2016.

The Growing Connectivity Between the Gulf and East Asia

Guy Burton — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 01:26:00 +0900

Links between the two regions are mainly economic, but there are emerging signs of security cooperation.

Is India Redefining Its Role in the Politics of the Middle East?

Niranjan Marjani — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 01:28:00 +0900

A closer look at India’s increasingly complex relationships with countries of the Middle East.

Belt and Road Brings Chinese Finance to the Gulf

Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat — Fri, 17 May 2019 22:37:00 +0900

The Gulf is emerging as an important center in China's efforts to internationalize its currency and financial dealings.

Prince Salman Tour Spotlights Saudi Arabia Variable in India-Pakistan-China Relations

Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 00:23:00 +0900

The voyage highlighted Riyadh’s role in the balance of ties between the three states and India’s continued concerns on that front.

Why Saudi Arabia Joining CPEC Matters

Sabena Siddiqui — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 00:29:00 +0900

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, while a bilateral project, has ample space for additional partners to invest.

Saudi Arabian Relations Under Strain in Southeast Asia

Scott Edwards & Asmiati Malik — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:09:00 +0900

Saudi Arabia's relations with Malaysia and Indonesia, in particular, are worth watching for signs of cooling enthusiasm.

Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Relations in the Khan Era

Arhama Siddiqa — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 23:55:00 +0900

Naya Pakistan and Saudi Arabia: Old wine in a new bottle?

Will OPEC Ease Production Cut Agreement Early?

Catherine Putz — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 03:34:00 +0900

OPEC and non-OPEC oil majors meet later this month to decide on ending production cut scheme early

Capital Punishment, Human Rights, and Indonesia's Chance for the Moral High Ground

Jack Britton — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 23:36:00 +0900

The execution of Indonesian migrant workers highlights the need for new protections, both abroad and at home.

India’s Growing Role in the Middle East

Rachel Brandenburg and Bharath Gopalaswamy — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 22:06:00 +0900

A recent agreement to allow an Indian airline to run flights to Israel through Saudi airspace illustrates Delhi’s increasing clout.

Shale to the Chief: Russia and Saudi Arabia’s Great Oil Game

Nicholas Trickett — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 04:48:00 +0900

To be frank, Saudi Arabia is setting a steady course, Russia is falling behind, and China will benefit no matter what.

Welcome to the New Indian Ocean

David Brewster — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 04:08:00 +0900

New players are creating a more multipolar and complex Indian Ocean environment

Malaysia's Slide Toward More Conservative Islam

Dominique F. Fernandes — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 02:33:00 +0900

The past two decades has seen Malaysia’s slow and steady shift toward an increasingly conservative Islam.

Pakistan in the Middle East: A Cautious Balance

Huma Yusuf — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 08:35:00 +0900

What is Pakistan looking for in the modern Middle East as tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran grow more pronounced?

What's Behind Saudi Arabia's Turn Away From the Taliban?

Samuel Ramani — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 22:10:00 +0900

Saudi Arabia’s increasingly anti-Taliban stance helps Riyadh consolidate its vital regional alliances and isolate Qatar.

Reviewing Nawaz Sharif's Time at the 'Muslim NATO' Summit in Riyadh

Umair Jamal — Thu, 25 May 2017 05:24:00 +0900

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Sharif couldn’t have achieved anything more than what he did in Saudi Arabia.

What the Gulf States Think of 'One Belt, One Road'

Giorgio Cafiero and Daniel Wagner — Wed, 24 May 2017 22:43:00 +0900

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Oman have mixed feelings about China's ambitious project.

Saudi Arabia Pivots to Asia (For Now)

Owen Daniels — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 21:54:00 +0900

The Kingdom is looking east, but don’t count out relations with the US.

Why Would Pakistan Send Combat Troops to Saudi Arabia Now?

Umair Jamal — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 05:51:00 +0900

Pakistan's consideration of a combat troop deployment to Saudi Arabia would cross an important line.

Tracing the Quran's Journey

Akhilesh Pillalamarri — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 11:17:00 +0900

A major exhibit in Washington, D.C., showcases the world's many Qurans.

India's Overseas Labor Pains

Neeta Lal — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 22:48:00 +0900

A migrant worker's death sharpens criticism of India's inability to protect its overseas laborers.

India's Pluralistic Islam Under Siege

Kuhan Madhan — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 23:38:00 +0900

Saudi-exported Salafism is trying to "purify" India's pluralistic strands of Islam.

Bombs and Burqas: Muslim Women and Extremism

Farhat Haq — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 04:30:00 +0900

We're thrown off when women are drawn to religiously motivated violent extremism. We shouldn't be.

How South Asia Will Save Global Islam

Akhilesh Pillalamarri — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 00:11:00 +0900

The South Asian traditions of Islam offer a compelling alternative to the religion's practice in the Middle East.

And Then There Were 13: Indonesia Rejoins OPEC

Kirstin Berndt — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 21:17:00 +0900

Indonesia’s return to the oil cartel will have some interesting implications.

Why Middle Powers Matter to India

Karan Pradhan — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 23:50:00 +0900

Middle powers hold the key - economically and geopolitically - to India’s growth and security.

Indonesia Should Play a Role in Yemen Conflict

Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Media Wahyudi Askar — Fri, 22 May 2015 15:28:00 +0900

Jakarta is well placed to mediate a resolution.

Why Saudi Arabia Needs Pakistan

Akhilesh Pillalamarri — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 11:03:00 +0900

Pakistan may be Saudi Arabia's best bet for a strong long-term security guarantee.

India No Longer the World's Top Arms Importer

Ankit Panda — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 08:49:00 +0900

IHS reports that Saudi Arabia surpassed India to become the world's top arms importer in 2014.

Chinese Salafism and the Saudi Connection

Mohammed Al-Sudairi — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 11:06:00 +0900

In China, the Hui Salafi sect, and its links with Saudi Arabia, have a long and complex history.

Indonesia’s Middle East Imperative

Rizvi Shihab — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 18:34:00 +0900

Jakarta needs a strategy that attracts greater ties with countries of the Middle East.

Narrowing Polls Show Indonesia’s Limited Options

Clint Richards — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:30:00 +0900

As the candidates continue mudslinging, the path to long-term prosperity could be difficult.

China to Sell Saudi Arabia Drones

Zachary Keck — Thu, 08 May 2014 05:26:00 +0900

China and Saudi Arabia have agreed on a deal for the Wing Loong medium-altitude long-endurance UAV.

Pakistan and the Sunni Gulf

Umar Farooq — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 17:48:00 +0900

Overtures to Pakistan from the Sunni Gulf appear to be linked to the conflict in Syria.

Iran, Pakistan Hold Naval Drill in Hormuz Strait

Zachary Keck — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:28:00 +0900

Iran and Pakistan are holding a naval drill as part of a larger effort to improve bilateral relations.

China: A Major Power in the Middle East?

Andy Polk — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 20:48:00 +0900

U.S. policy is creating an opening for China in the Middle East, which Beijing is exploiting skillfully.

Iran and Pakistan’s Coming Clash

Zachary Keck — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 02:40:00 +0900

Iran and Pakistan are on a collision course as a series of issues are straining ties.

The Dangers of Lost U.S. Credibility in the Middle East

Bobby Woods — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 21:42:00 +0900

Washington must take steps to assuage the concerns of friendly nations in the region.

China Secretly Sold Saudi Arabia DF-21 Missiles With CIA Approval

Zachary Keck — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 07:00:00 +0900

The CIA secretly approved of China selling Saudi Arabia advanced missiles.

Saudi Arabia May Buy Pakistani-Chinese Fighter Jets

Zachary Keck — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 22:11:00 +0900

Riyadh is reportedly interested in purchasing the JF-17 Thunder fighters that China and Pakistan jointly produced.

No, Pakistan Won’t Sell Saudi Arabia Nukes

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 14:15:00 +0900

The argument that Islamabad would furnish Riyadh with nuclear weapons is far-fetched.

Iran Seeks to Deploy Special Forces to Yemen

Sat, 27 Jul 2013 17:02:53 +0900

Following a recent kidnapping, Tehran reportedly wants to send Special Forces to Yemen.

Saudi’s Nitaqat Law: Trouble for Indian Expats?

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:05:53 +0900

Saudi Arabia’s enforcement of labor localization rules has sent many Indian workers hurrying home. How severe will the impact be?

Colin Kahl

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:13:00 +0900

The Diplomat’s Zachary Keck recently spoke with Colin Kahl about the recent report he co-authored (with Matthew Irvine and Melissa Dalton) Atomic Kingdom: If Iran Builds the Bomb, Will Saudi Arabia Be Next?

Indonesia's Moral Diplomacy

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 02:06:00 +0900

Despite ASEAN’s non-interference principle, Jakarta is seeking to uphold human rights in Burma and Syria.

Qatari Women Eye London

Sat, 19 May 2012 18:35:57 +0900

They might not win gold medals, but female Qatari athletes will be setting a striking example at the Olympics.

Let Iran Save Face

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:15:33 +0900

Iran would have less reason to rely on terrorism as a continuation of politics if it could cut deals as an equal.

Saudi Arabia Rethinking Olympics?

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:39:26 +0900

After saying it won’t be sending any women to the London Olympics, Saudi Arabia seems to be rethinking.

India's Achilles' Heel

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:41:47 +0900

India’s economy and its military have made rapid strides. But threats to energy security could undermine this.

Journey to the Heart of Islam

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:57:02 +0900

A new exhibition in London offers non-Muslims an interesting glimpse of the sacred ritual of the Hajj.

Saudis and Female Olympians

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 20:30:35 +0900

Saudi Arabia won’t be taking a female team to the summer Olympics. Should the IOC stop it competing?

Was Khamenei Reckless - Or Set Up?

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:12:49 +0900

Claims Iran was plotting to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador on US soil are extraordinary. Would Iran’s leadership really have OK’d such a plot?

Saudization and Migrants

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 21:49:48 +0900

Worried by high unemployment, Saudi Arabia is introducing quotas for foreign workers. How will it hit Asian workers?

India Gets Close to Saudi Arabia

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:24:51 +0900

An expected new energy partnership between India and Saudi Arabia highlights warming ties between them.

Short-sighted US Nuclear Policy

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 01:22:46 +0900

The nuclear deals being negotiated with Jordan and Saudi Arabia underscore US inconsistency on non-proliferation policy.

WikiLeaks’ Awkward Reading for Iran

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:27:19 +0900

The interesting thing about the revelations over Iran’s neighbours is just how far they’d go to stop it from acquiring a nuclear bomb.

China Courts Islamic World

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 01:51:57 +0900

China’s new rail line connecting Mecca with nine holy sites in Saudi Arabia is a project India can learn from.

Saudis Whistling Past a Graveyard?

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:03:21 +0900

Michael Scheuer takes The Diplomat just outside its regular beat for a closer look at Saudi Arabia. Still the biggest oil supplier to Asia’s largest economies, is the kingdom really as stable as its leaders like to make out?

New Friends?

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:03:58 +0900

Is the visit this week by Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia a sign of a budding friendship?