February
The ex-Goldman banker who became Vladimir Putin’s dealmaker
A US-educated former Goldman Sachs banker, Kirill Dmitriev has cut an unexpected figure at recent talks between the US and Russia in Riyadh.
Golf club drama in the way of the Saudi revolution
The Saudi-backed golf exhibition will need Grange club members to agree to host the event in the years ahead.
The truth about Saudi Arabia’s rulers is worse than you thought
The regime is at once “ruthless and reckless” - but that hasn’t stopped the Scramble for Arabia as business, sports and political figures chase their fortunes in the desert.
December 2024
How Assad hoodwinked a naive West
Bashar al-Assad, Putin, Gaddafi – the free world too often gets its hopes up about despots.
October 2024
The former model who became go-to broker for world’s richest sheikhs
How Amanda Staveley became the unlikely toast of the Middle East and one of the most powerful people in English professional football.
Today is a start. What happens next in the Middle East is everything
US and leaders in the Middle East including the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia have discussed a plan for the day after the war ends. But will Netanyahu go along?
June 2024
OPEC+ extends deep production cuts into next year
The oil cartel agreed the cuts as it battles to shore up prices amid weak global demand and increased supply from other parts of the world.
April 2024
Israel has a fateful choice to make: Rafah or Riyadh?
If Israel ends up with an indefinite occupation of both Gaza and the West Bank, it would be a toxic military, economic and moral overstretch that would delight Iran.
Appeasing Iran has proven weak and provocative
If Tehran’s power can be contained and then reduced, the Middle East will be a much more peaceful place.
March 2024
US drafts tough UN ceasefire demand in Israel showdown
A resolution for the UN that American diplomats are circulating is notable for its strong language in seeking a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.
January 2024
Arab nations form plan to end Israel-Hamas war
The deal could also establish formal ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia and develop a Palestinian state.
Blinken in Tel Aviv as Israel says war to continue all year
Israel has come under growing pressure from the United States, its closest ally, and Arab leaders to scale back the assault.
November 2023
Arab, Muslim ministers urge China to help end Gaza war
Since the start of hostilities, China’s foreign ministry has repeatedly stopped short of condemning Hamas, instead calling for de-escalation.
Was Saudi Arabia’s World Cup win an inside job?
Australia and other potential bidders for the 2034 soccer tournament didn’t go ahead, raising questions about possible FIFA favouritism.
Saudi Arabia to host 2034 World Cup after Australia pulls out
FIFA is set to rubber stamp the move which will accelerate the kingdom’s push into soccer and broader its expansion into global sport.
October 2023
Let’s hope the Israeli-Hamas war isn’t another 1914 moment
European heads of state failed to stop World War I breaking out after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. How do world leaders keep Iran from starting the third?
US continues push for Saudi-Israel ties even after Hamas assault
US President Joe Biden and his top aides have recently attempted to negotiate a complex three-way ‘normalisation’ deal with Saudi Arabia and Israel.
September 2023
Biden looks to woo back allies as Putin, Xi skip G20 summit
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping both opted to skip this year’s gathering, giving Mr Biden an opening to reestablish the US atop of the international system.
August 2023
Why Saudi Arabia is spending a fortune on luring big sporting names
The kingdom says the splurge will help its plan to diversify its economy away from oil. But critics say it amounts to “sportswashing”.
July 2023
‘No longer required’: Greg Norman sacked if LIV golf deal sealed
Saudi Arabia has also agreed to invest more than $1.5 billion if the new golf tie-up goes ahead, US Congress has been told in testimony to a subcommittee.