Saudi Arabia

Progress Watch
For Saudi ex-jihadis: a stipend, a wife, and a new life

A Saudi 'rehabilitation' program originally established to help ex-Guantánamo detainees is being expanded to include five centers around the country.
US resumes arms sales to Bahrain. Activists feel abandoned

In major setbacks for Bahrain's opposition, the US has decided to resume arms sales to the kingdom and Gulf Arab leaders are meeting to discuss greater regional integration.
After underwear plot, Saudi officials cite headway against AQAP

Saudi officials refused to discuss their involvement in disrupting the latest underwear bomb plot from Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), but say they are making gains against the group.
Backchannels
Saudi's Al Qaeda intelligence coup and the perils of too much disclosure

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's second underwear bomb plot went nowhere thanks to great intelligence work. But this is a case where too much disclosure is a problem.
Why a Saudi blogger faces a possible death sentence for three tweets

Hamza Kashgari's tweets on the prophet Muhammad's birthday have resulted in charges of blasphemy, apostasy, and atheism – and Saudi Arabia appears to be making an example of his actions.
Malaysia sends Saudi home, where he's threatened with death for a tweet

A Malaysian lawyers' group blamed Malaysia for handing Hamza Kashgari over to the Saudi authorities 'on a silver platter.' Mr. Kashgari allegedly insulted the prophet Muhammed on Twitter.
Global News Blog
Malaysia may repatriate Saudi who faces death penalty for tweets

Saudi writer Hamza Kashgari fled Saudi Arabia after a trio of tweets about the prophet Muhammad brought death threats. Malaysian police apprehended him en route to New Zealand, where he was to request asylum.
Backchannels
The House of Saud strikes back

Saudi Arabia isn't taking this whole democracy thing lying down. It's putting down uprisings, beefing up alliances with fellow autocrats, and distancing itself from the US.
Yemen's neighbors step up role in pushing for Saleh's exit

The Gulf Cooperation Council is joining negotiations to end Yemen's political stalemate. Its role – especially that of Saudi Arabia, Yemen's largest donor – could prove far more influential than that of the West.
Global News Blog
Gates to meet with Saudi king to discuss Yemen, Iran: April 6 Mideast update

Secretary Gates and King Abdullah share concerns about Al Qaeda in Yemen and Iranian influence in the region. Meanwhile, Libya's rebels demand more of NATO, and Syria's unrest simmers.
Saudi troops arrive in Bahrain as protests escalate

Amid concerns of a Shiite uprising in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia sent troops to support the Sunni monarchy. Bahrain's opposition denounced the move as an 'occupation.'
Day of Rage in Saudi Arabia: How much change can the Gulf expect?

Regime change may not come swiftly to Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, where protesters have called for a 'Day of Rage' today, but a revolution of a different sort is taking place.
An upside of Arab revolts: Islamists talk democracy

Egypt opened the way for new dialogue between Islamists and secularists. That could foster Muslim democracies.
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah promises $36 billion in benefits

King Abdullah returned home today to a Saudi Arabia seemingly moored in the eye of the storm howling from Libya to Bahrain. But reformers are intensifying calls for political change.
In Saudi Arabia, reformers intensify calls for change

King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz is due to return tomorrow after three months away to a country where reformers inspired by Egypt are calling for greater transparency and equality.
How a broken social contract sparked Bahrain protests

The Bahrain protests go beyond the sectarian prism of Sunni versus Shiite. The ruling Al Khalifa family has been unable to provide Bahrainis the kind of interest-free loans and medical care that some of their neighbors have enjoyed.
WikiLeaks reveals 5 Arab countries concerned about Iran

At least five Arab countries are keeping a wary eye on Iran, as revealed in the classified US documents publicized by whistleblower website WikiLeaks.
How WikiLeaks trove will affect US-Arab cooperation on Iran, Yemen

The WikiLeaks release of diplomatic cables could put Arab leaders in a tight spot – and make America's diplomatic dance a bit more awkward in the region.
Hajj 101: Five facts about the Muslim pilgrimage

More than two million Muslims have flocked to Saudi Arabia this week for the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage that Muslims are obligated to make at least once in their lifetime.
Terrorism & Security
Eyeing Iran, US details $60 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia

Israel is unlikely to object to the arms sale of up to 84 new F-15s and 1,000 'bunker-buster bombs' to Saudi Arabia that analysts say is meant to counter Iranian influence in the Middle East.
How arms deals are shaping the Mideast

A record U.S. arms deal with Saudi Arabia is part of an effort to put pressure on Iran, partly by strengthening alliances with oil-rich neighbors also concerned by Iran's rise.
Global News Blog
Why $60 billion in US arms to Saudi Arabia isn't causing an outcry

Israel doesn't oppose a US arms deal that would send advanced aircraft to Saudi Arabia, which is increasingly seen as essential to containing Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Global News Blog
BlackBerry caved to Saudi demands: rights group

BlackBerry has reportedly reached an agreement with Saudi Arabia to continue messaging services in the country. It's unclear what data will now be shared.
Saudi Arabia religious leaders call terrorism financing un-Islamic

A government-appointed council of senior religious scholars in Saudi Arabia condemned terrorism financing and said it is forbidden by Islamic law.
Move over American Idol: Hissa Hilal in finals of Arab reality TV poetry contest

Saudi poet Hissa Hilal competes, beneath a veil, for the $1.3 million prize Wednesday night in the finals of Million’s Poet, a hit Arab reality TV poetry contest.