Topic: Saudi Politics

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World's cheapest gas: Top 10 countries

While Americans and Europeans bemoan the cost of gasoline at the pumps, people in some other parts of the world enjoy filling up their tanks cheaply thanks to subsidies provided by wealthy, oil-rich governments. Here are the 10 cheapest countries on Earth to fill a gas tank.
World's cheapest gas: Top 10 countries

A list of the world's cheapest gas locales, according to Staveley Head, a British insurance firm.
Yemen 101: Who's who in the escalating conflict

As Yemen’s crisis escalates, President Ali Abdullah Saleh is battling opponents on multiple fronts who have diverse backgrounds and agendas. Here's a rundown of the players you need to know in order to understand the unrest in Yemen.
Salafis 101: 5 key facts

Salafi Muslims are often associated with militant Islam and violent groups such as Al Qaeda, though most Salafis disavow violent jihad. Repressed for decades by secular dictators such as Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Zine Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, Salafis may find new breathing room now that the Arab Spring has ousted such leaders. Here are five facts to help you understand them.
Royal wedding: Who Prince William and Kate Middleton invited

Prince William and Kate Middleton have invited 1,900 people to join them when they tie the knot Friday at Westminster Abbey. Here's a look at some notables on the list, from Grammy-winners to representatives criticized by the international community for violating human rights.

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Progress Watch
In Saudi Arabia, a quiet tide of reform

Declining the revolutionary model that Egypt established in overthrowing Mubarak, Saudi reformers are working for a shift in mind-sets as well as policies – and making headway.
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.
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.
World's cheapest gas: Top 10 countries

While Americans and Europeans bemoan the cost of gasoline at the pumps, people in some other parts of the world enjoy filling up their tanks cheaply thanks to subsidies provided by wealthy, oil-rich governments. Here are the 10 cheapest countries on Earth to fill a gas tank.
Yemen's President Saleh agrees to step down

The Saudi-backed agreement requires Saleh to step down within 30 days, potentially signaling an end to the antigovernment protests that have pushed Yemen to the brink of civil war.
Saudi crown prince dies, leaving succession uncertain

The younger brother of King Abdullah was in his 80s, and there is no formal method to name a replacement from the sprawling royal family.
Saudi Arabia refrains from fingering Iran in alleged assassination plot

The US continues to ratchet up pressure on Iran over an alleged assassination plot against the Saudi ambassador to the US. But Saudi Arabia Wednesday said it was working to determine who was responsible.
Global News Blog
Good Reads: Dissecting Iran assassination plot, a broken America, and Qatar's rise (video)

Newspapers are picking holes in an alleged Iranian assassination plot against a Saudi diplomat, while George Packer offers up a sharp analysis of a US that can upgrade its iPhones but can't fix its bridges. And what's up with Qatar?
Global News Blog
Good Reads: an Iranian plot to kill Saudi ambassador, and smooth Liberian elections

Today's papers focus on the alleged Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington, but watch also some positive news from Africa, where Liberian elections appear to be free of violence.
How will US retaliate against Iran for alleged assassination plot?

Military reprisal is justified, some analysts say. But initially the US is likely to take a diplomatic course, trying to further isolate Iran after its alleged role in an assassination plot on US soil.
Assassination plot? Why Iran and Saudi Arabia are such bitter rivals

US authorities linked Iran to a plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to the US. Few contests have defined the modern Middle East like that between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Global News Blog
Saudi woman sentenced to lashes days after women win right to vote

A Saudi woman has been sentenced to 10 lashes for driving, just days after King Abdullah granted women the right to vote and run for municipal office. A quick look at Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
Backchannels
Saudi women to vote ...

... in meaningless elections. Still, the Saudi King's announcement today is a symbolic opening of more space for women in the Kingdom.
As Palestinians push for statehood, US tries to keep peace process alive

The president is seeking a statement from the European Union, Russia, and the UN – that would set the path for a resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority no matter what happens Friday.
Terrorism & Security
Yemen violence erupts after months of stalemate (video)

Nearly 50 people have been killed as Yemeni protesters and loyalists forces have clashed in the capital. A key source of tension is the weakened president's failure to transfer power.
World's cheapest gas: Top 10 countries

A list of the world's cheapest gas locales, according to Staveley Head, a British insurance firm.
Terrorism & Security
Turkey says it is prepared for possibility of war with Israel

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said Monday in Cairo that he is prepared for the worst case scenario with Israel, while Israel scrambles to cover its flanks in a multifront diplomatic crisis.
How Saudi Arabia can contain Iran – and other benefits from Syria's turmoil

Saudi Arabia is facing its biggest foreign policy obstacle (and opportunity) yet – one whose outcome matters deeply to the US. How the kingdom handles Syrian turmoil will determine its leadership standing in the region and its containment of Iran.
Terrorism & Security
Syrian assault on port city puts pressure on Turkey(VIDEO)

Turkey, which is leading an international effort to persuade the Assad regime against violence, last week gave Syria a deadline of 10 to 15 days to stop its brutal crackdown.
Kingdom Tower set to be tallest in world

Kingdom Tower: the next tallest building in the world will be the Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia, says Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
Terrorism & Security
Saudis condemn Syrian violence after bloody first week of Ramadan

Saudi Arabia and several Arab blocs broke their long silence on the uprisings sweeping the Middle East, condemning Syria's brutal crackdown that has killed more than 300 in the past week alone.
Obama must tell Saudi Arabia to keep Yemen's Saleh

Yemen's leader must not be allowed to return. America's interest lies in the democratic aspirations of young Arabs, not oil. Obama should shift the Saudi relationship to one of universal values.
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 101: Who's who in the escalating conflict

As Yemen’s crisis escalates, President Ali Abdullah Saleh is battling opponents on multiple fronts who have diverse backgrounds and agendas. Here's a rundown of the players you need to know in order to understand the unrest in Yemen.
Salafis 101: 5 key facts

Salafi Muslims are often associated with militant Islam and violent groups such as Al Qaeda, though most Salafis disavow violent jihad. Repressed for decades by secular dictators such as Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Zine Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, Salafis may find new breathing room now that the Arab Spring has ousted such leaders. Here are five facts to help you understand them.