Saudi Arabia
As the world wobbles on climate, Australia doubles down
Rattled by Donald Trump’s victory and pushback against earlier commitments, the world’s climate diplomats have struggled to find common ground during COP29 talks.
- by Nick O'Malley
Latest
Opinion
Oil
‘Drill, baby, drill’: What if the world doesn’t need Trump’s ‘liquid gold’?
Donald Trump wants America to dominate the global oil market. But his plans to boost production come as demand for the fossil fuel has weakened.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
★★★★
Train journeys
Top speed 300km/h: On board the Middle East’s first high-speed train
Clean, efficient and punctual, this Saudi train has been modified to cope with temperatures up to 50 degrees.
- by Belinda Jackson
The former model who became the go-to broker for the wealthiest sheikhs in the world
She became the unlikely toast of the Middle East and one of the most powerful people in football. But questions are now being asked.
- by Ben Marlow
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of the death of Hamas’ leader
Netanyahu has long wanted to show that he is a historic figure. Well, this is his moment.
- by Thomas L. Friedman
Explainer
Middle East tensions
Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas: Who they are and what they want
As Israeli troops raid Lebanon, conflict is spreading again in the Middle East. Who are the key players, and what is the Axis of Resistance?
- by Jackson Graham, Angus Holland and Cindy Yin
Explainer
Sovereign wealth
Trillion-dollar piggy banks: Inside the world of sovereign wealth
Norway’s is famously huge. Qatar used its to buy Harrods. How do sovereign wealth funds work? And why isn’t ours as big as Norway’s?
- by Angus Holland
It’s not just Greg Norman: Saudis sign raft of Aussies in sport splurge
Pouring billions into golf, football and now the Olympics, the oil-rich Gulf state is pressing ahead with ambitious plans despite accusations of sportswashing.
- by Chris Barrett
Heat deaths in Mecca shine light on underworld pilgrim industry
More than 1000 deaths in Saudi Arabia have put a spotlight on an underworld of illicit tour operators who profit off people desperate to meet their religious duty.
- by Emad Mekay and Vivian Nereim
At least 550 people die from extreme heat during Muslim pilgrimage
Temperatures have reached as high as 51.8 degrees during the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage that millions of Muslims make to Mecca to perform religious rites.
- by Pesha Magid and Saleh Salem
Opinion
Oil
The oil mystery that has the world on edge
It is one of the world’s most important markets and powerbrokers are widely split on what its future looks like.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/saudi-arabia-f15