The players - resources on key people and personalities in Saudi Arabia.
Issues and ideas - a selection of articles covering key topics.
Perspectives: from the GSN archive - articles from GSN's extensive database.
Egypt tensions spread as Saudis quash ‘Abdullah is dead’ rumour
Confronted yet again by damaging rumours, Saudi sources moved quickly to quash a 10 February report that King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz was seriously ill or was dead, apparently having suffered a heart attack after a heated telephone conversation with US President Barack Obama.
Issue 894, 11 February 2011. 
more
Frailty of senior princes heightens speculation over Saudi leadership
When Saudi-watchers get together, conversation will soon turn to questions that can become an obsession: who will be the next Saudi monarch, who will succeed him and when will this happen? The onset of illness associated with old age cannot help the governance of an increasingly complex state with a largely youthful population, even if modern medicine can postpone further decline. Thus, there is an upsurge in speculation when senior leaders leave the country or disappear into their palaces for treatment, rest or recuperation.
Issue 893, 28 January 2011. more
Bandar is back
After nearly two years out of the limelight, former Saudi ambassador to Washington Prince Bandar Bin Sultan Al-Saud made a high-profile return to the Kingdom in mid-October.
Issue 888, 29 October 2010. more
Abdullah on the move in attempt to defuse tribunal tensions
The Saudi monarch started a four-nation tour on 28 July aimed at strengthening inter-Arab relations. The King flew from his summer residence in Casablanca for the first leg of the mission, to Cairo, for talks with ailing Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Issue 882, 30 July 2010. more
Turki Al-Faisal on Iraq and US policy
Iraqi concerns about their neighbours’ intensions towards their country may have been underlined by comments from former Saudi General Intelligence Department chief and ambassador to London and Washington Prince Turki Al-Faisal, who has accused Iraqi prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki of trying to ‘hijack’ the results of the March general election.
Issue 877, 21 May 2010. more
Sharia codification plans divide Saudi clerics
The Council of Ulema has approved King Abdullah’s plans to codify sharia law, but Sahwa preachers are divided over an issue that could significantly reduce their power
Issue 875, 23 April 2010. more
Crown Prince Sultan: Out and about
In mid-March, Crown Prince Sultan toured the southern border region and inspected troops in Jizan. His large entourage included senior family members Bandar Bin Mohammed, Khalid Bin Fahd Bin Khalid, Khalid Bin Saad Bin Fahd (all of the Abdelrahman branch) and Sultan’s son Khalid.
Issue 874, 9 April 2010. more
Also see Issue 868, 18 December 2009. Crown Prince Sultan: Back in the Kingdom
No great leap forward, but King Abdullah remains committed to reform
Abdullah has proved sympathetic to reformists and the emergence of a more tolerant kingdom, promoting national dialogue and seeking to protect vulnerable Saudis. But there are clear limits to this process, imposed by the king’s age and by conservative perceptions that still drive policy
Issue 866, Saudi special, 2 December 2009. Download the PDF
Succession remains a critical issue in a system based on age and genealogy
Since coming to power, King Abdullah has moved to formalise the succession, but the issue is always rife with speculation – much of which recently has focused on Prince Nayef and the growing role of the grandchildren’s generation, writes Eleanor Gillespie
Issue 866, Saudi special, 2 December 2009. Download the PDF
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Economy & Finances
SocGen vs Saad: Al-Sanea default trial delayed
Judge agrees to postponement after defendants claim Cayman Islands case has hindered preparations
Issue 894, 11 February 2011. more
Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Company shows quick recovery after the global financial crisis
Even Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal felt the effects of the global downturn. But 2010 profits show that his 95%-owned KHC is back on track despite warnings of over-valuation
Issue 893, 28 January 2011. more
Post-financial crisis environment has put GCC risk under a harsher spotlight
The effects of the global downturn on Dubai, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have forced traders, financiers and insurers to assess GCC credit and political risk more closely. And some firms are expanding their GCC teams to do so
Issue 890, 26 November 2010. more
Government
Saudi Arabia refuses to recognise new party despite efforts to advance reforms
Although the Kingdom is slowly liberalising, the authorities are not yet ready to formally approve political groups. The tense crisis in neighbouring Bahrain will not bolster their self-confidence in handling reform campaign pressures
Issue 895, 25 February 2011. more
Youth unemployment poses key challenge to Saudi government and society
Protests across the Arab world have highlighted problems related to the ‘youth bulge’. Young Saudis, often well educated and media savvy, face poor job prospects, gender segregation and constraints on freedom of expression
Issue 894, 11 February 2011. more
regional relations
The Manama-Riyadh relationship
The unrest in Bahrain has highlighted the importance of its relationship with giant Sunni neighbour Saudi Arabia, with King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa making a hasty visit to the Saudi capital on 23 February for talks with the senior leadership, possibly including the recently returned King Abdullah. He was met on arrival by governor Prince Salman Bin Abdelaziz.
Issue 895, 25 February 2011. more
SUCCESSION
Egypt tensions spread as Saudis quash ‘Abdullah is dead’ rumour
Confronted yet again by damaging rumours, Saudi sources moved quickly to quash a 10 February report that King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz was seriously ill or was dead, apparently having suffered a heart attack after a heated telephone conversation with US President Barack Obama.
Issue 894, 11 February 2011. more
Abdullah returns to Morocco
King Abdullah travelled to Morocco on 22 January to continue his recuperation from medical treatment. The King was met at Casablanca airport by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI. It has been almost two months since the octogenarian monarch left Saudi Arabia for spinal surgery in the US (GSN 890/1).
Issue 893, 28 January 2011. more
Crown Prince Sultan remains in public eye
During King Abdullah’s absence for medical treatment abroad (and the absence of other senior princes and ministers accompanying him), Crown Prince Sultan has remained in the public eye by chairing cabinet sessions and holding meetings
Issue 893, 28 January 2011. more
Frailty of senior princes heightens speculation over Saudi leadership
When Saudi-watchers get together, conversation will soon turn to questions that can become an obsession: who will be the next Saudi monarch, who will succeed him and when will this happen? The onset of illness associated with old age cannot help the governance of an increasingly complex state with a largely youthful population, even if modern medicine can postpone further decline. Thus, there is an upsurge in speculation when senior leaders leave the country or disappear into their palaces for treatment, rest or recuperation.
Issue 893, 28 January 2011. more
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| Perspectives: from the GSN archive |
Saudi Arabia refuses to recognise new party despite efforts to advance reforms
Although the Kingdom is slowly liberalising, the authorities are not yet ready to formally approve political groups. The tense crisis in neighbouring Bahrain will not bolster their self-confidence in handling reform campaign pressures
Issue 895, 25 February 2011. more
The Manama-Riyadh relationship
The unrest in Bahrain has highlighted the importance of its relationship with giant Sunni neighbour Saudi Arabia, with King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa making a hasty visit to the Saudi capital on 23 February for talks with the senior leadership, possibly including the recently returned King Abdullah. He was met on arrival by governor Prince Salman Bin Abdelaziz.
Issue 895, 25 February 2011. more
Meetings with French prime minister
French prime minister François Fillon has been in the region for talks. While in Saudi Arabia, he discussed prospects for expanding defence and security co-operation as well as promoting education and trade development programmes.
Issue 895, 25 February 2011. more
Deadline missed in Al-Amoudi libel case
Ethiopian publisher and blogger Elias Kifle has failed to meet a deadline for filing a defence in the libel case brought by Ethiopian-Saudi investor Mohammed Al-Amoudi.
Issue 895, 25 February 2011. more
Youth unemployment poses key challenge to Saudi government and society
Protests across the Arab world have highlighted problems related to the ‘youth bulge’. Young Saudis, often well educated and media savvy, face poor job prospects, gender segregation and constraints on freedom of expression
Issue 894, 11 February 2011. more
Jeddah floods: potential trigger for unrest?
In November 2009, more than 500 people were killed in devastating floods in Jeddah and there was considerable damage to the city’s failing infrastructure. As floods ravaged the city, videos and commentary were uploaded to YouTube before the government had time to issue an official statement.
Issue 894, 11 February 2011. more
Jeddah floods leadership
After Jeddah’s most recent devastating floods, King Abdullah, who is currently in Morocco, gave orders for assistance, but it was interior minister and second deputy premier Prince Nayef Bin Abdelaziz who was on the scene as head of the flood investigative committee.
Issue 894, 11 February 2011. more
Meetings with international dignitaries
Interior minister and second deputy premier Prince Nayef Bin Abdelaziz in early February held talks with CIA director Leon Panetta.
Issue 894, 11 February 2011. more
Marriages and funerals
Prince Turki Bin Bandar Bin Saud married a daughter of Nazih Bin Abdelaziz Al-Quarayni in Riyadh. Turki is from the Mishari branch of the family.
Issue 894, 11 February 2011. more
Tribal mediation
Prince Turki, a son of Sudeiri Seven member Talal, has been in the news after reconciling families from the Kingdom’s largest tribe, the Dawasir, at his palace.
Issue 894, 11 February 2011. more
SocGen vs Saad: Al-Sanea default trial delayed
Judge agrees to postponement after defendants claim Cayman Islands case has hindered preparations
Issue 894, 11 February 2011. more
Egypt tensions spread as Saudis quash ‘Abdullah is dead’ rumour
Confronted yet again by damaging rumours, Saudi sources moved quickly to quash a 10 February report that King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz was seriously ill or was dead, apparently having suffered a heart attack after a heated telephone conversation with US President Barack Obama.
Issue 894, 11 February 2011. more
Abdullah returns to Morocco
King Abdullah travelled to Morocco on 22 January to continue his recuperation from medical treatment. The King was met at Casablanca airport by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI. It has been almost two months since the octogenarian monarch left Saudi Arabia for spinal surgery in the US (GSN 890/1).
Issue 893, 28 January 2011. more
Crown Prince Sultan remains in public eye
During King Abdullah’s absence for medical treatment abroad (and the absence of other senior princes and ministers accompanying him), Crown Prince Sultan has remained in the public eye by chairing cabinet sessions and holding meetings
Issue 893, 28 January 2011. more
High-profile wedding
Prince Abdelaziz Bin Fahd Bin Abdelaziz has been spending time with King Abdullah in New York, but returned to Riyadh for his high-profile 23 December wedding to a daughter of Prince Faisal Bin Mishaal Bin Abdelaziz.
Issue 893, 28 January 2011. more
Comments on women drivers
Princess Rima Bint Bandar Bin Sultan, granddaughter of Crown Prince Sultan, has said that women should be allowed to drive.
Issue 893, 28 January 2011. more
Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Company shows quick recovery after the global financial crisis
Even Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal felt the effects of the global downturn. But 2010 profits show that his 95%-owned KHC is back on track despite warnings of over-valuation
Issue 893, 28 January 2011. more
Al-Amoudi files libel claim in UK
Ethiopian-Saudi investor Mohammed Hussein Al-Amoudi has filed a libel claim in the UK’s high court against Ethiopian publisher and blogger Elias Kifle.
Issue 893, 28 January 2011. more
Frailty of senior princes heightens speculation over Saudi leadership
When Saudi-watchers get together, conversation will soon turn to questions that can become an obsession: who will be the next Saudi monarch, who will succeed him and when will this happen? The onset of illness associated with old age cannot help the governance of an increasingly complex state with a largely youthful population, even if modern medicine can postpone further decline. Thus, there is an upsurge in speculation when senior leaders leave the country or disappear into their palaces for treatment, rest or recuperation.
Issue 893, 28 January 2011. more
Senior Al-Saud still absent abroad, huge 2011 budget announced
Risk management report, Issue 892, 17 January 2011. more
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