Tag Archives: Saudi Arabia
Tackling corruption: Why Saudi Prince Muhammad’s approach raises questions
James Dorsey argues that “power and assets rather than anti-corruption” are behind Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad’s purge of princes and businessmen, and that the aim appears to be “to intimidate and put the kingdom’s elite on notice”. Read more [...]
Saudi Prince Muhammad’s Achilles Heel: Misreading tea leaves in Washington
James Dorsey says Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad’s regional strategy not only risks escalating tensions and raising questions about Saudi Arabia’s ability to successfully confront Iran, but also may be based on a misreading of the dynamics of US policymaking. Read more [...]
Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad’s vow to moderate Saudi Islam: Easier said than done
James Dorsey argues that while the Saudi heir apparent's “proposed reforms have largely been welcomed by Saudi youth… they are likely to stir mixed responses as a result of deep-seated attitudes that have been cultivated for decades”. Read more [...]
Trump’s chaos produces results: Gulf states upgrade ties to Israel
James Dorsey examines moves by Arab Gulf states to seduce Israel, with Bahrain even denouncing the boycott of the Zionist state, possibly in the hope that they can benefit from the Jewish community’s influence in the US. Read more [...]
Signs of hope in the Middle East? Don’t hold your breath
James Dorsey explains why there should be no reason for optimism that violence and instability in the Middle East, whether in Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Yemen or the Gulf states, will come to an end anytime soon. Read more [...]
Plight of Myanmar’s Rohingya: Islamist extremists’ next rallying call?
James Dorsey says calls for jihad in defence of Burma’s Muslim minority prompt fears of a second front against Islamic State-linked fighters in Southeast Asia, and – for Arab rulers – concerns the issue will re-energise extremists and opposition groups. Read more [...]
US moves against Iran raise spectre of wider regional conflict
James Dorsey argues that President Trump’s manoeuvres to withhold certification that Iran has complied with its nuclear agreement could encourage Saudi Arabia to step up its long-standing battle with Iran and set the Middle East and Gulf ablaze. Read more [...]
Message from UK High Court: Carry on arming the Saudis (and never mind the slaughter in Yemen)
Stuart Littlewood examines Britain’s complicity in the war crimes committed by Saudi Arabia in Yemen, and the role of notorious Israeli stooge Liam Fox, the UK’s secretary of state for international trade, in this. Read more [...]
Blasphemy and terrorism: Catchall phrases to repress dissent
James Dorsey says the abuse of labels like terrorism and blasphemy by governments, institutions, groups and individuals creates an environment that fosters violence, intolerance and disrespect for the other, and enables vigilantism and extremism. Read more [...]
The Pope in Egypt: Tiptoeing through a minefield
James Dorsey explains the religious and political complexities of Egypt as Pope Francis visits in the hope of improving the fragile position of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East, North Africa and the larger Muslim world. Read more [...]
