Saudi Arabia
All countries-
Desert X AlUla 2024
"The desert is demanding new ways of seeing"
Over the past three years, there has been a shift in perception around the Saudi Arabian art scene, and at this year's DesertX, artists benefitted from freer expression
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Arabian Peninsula
Dawn of a new era in the Gulf
Political scientist Sebastian Sons describes in his new book how societies on the Arabian Peninsula are undergoing multiple changes simultaneously as they search for a new identity
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Forget the Abraham Accords
The Gaza war may radicalise the Gulf
Amidst the growing appeal of religious militancy among local populations, state-led efforts to suppress domestic dissent and maintain ties with Israel could ultimately backfire
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Contemporary Art Biennale in Riyadh
What comes after the rain
For the second time, a biennale for contemporary art is taking place in Riyadh. It stands for Saudi Arabia's new policy of opening up and focuses on the theme of nature and environment. A report from Riyadh
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Israel, Hamas and the war in Gaza
Seven uncomfortable truths
Anyone wanting to fully understand the current Middle East crisis must face up to realities on the ground. For many, however, this is at odds with the schematic picture they have in their heads. Here are seven uncomfortable truths crucial to de-escalating the situation and finding a solution
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Interview with Islam expert Felix Koerner
The Pope and the Muslims
Will Pope Francis still be travelling to Riyadh? What will be the outcome of his planned visit to Indonesia? How important is his friendship with Grand Sheikh al-Tayyeb? Interview with Islamic scholar Felix Koerner, five years after the Abu Dhabi document "on human fraternity"
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Women's rights in Saudi Arabia
Aisha al-Mana – the first woman to drive a car in Riyadh
When people talk about feminism in the Middle East, they usually mean women in Cairo, Beirut or Damascus. Saudi-Arabia, on the other hand, rarely gets a mention. Local activist Aisha al-Mana proved a trailblazer for women in the region
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Sunnis and Shias in Islam
How the Sunni-Shia split shaped the Islamic world throughout history
Toby Matthiesen's new book, "The Caliph and the Imam", explores both the origins of the Sunni-Shia divide, what the two branches of Islam have in common and how the split has shaped the Islamic world
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Egypt's Muslim Brothers
"Who determines the future of the Brotherhood remains unclear"
Since the military coup in Egypt ten years ago, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's government has cracked down on the country's Muslim Brotherhood. Abdelrahman Ayash talks about the impact of this crisis, and how the organisation has evolved since 2013
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Regional perspectives on the Gaza war
The Middle East conflict is back
In recent years the Israeli-Palestinian conflict had gradually become uncoupled from the other lines of conflict in the Middle East. This "encapsulation of the Middle East conflict" may be off the table for now, but it does nothing to change the parameters of the larger regional struggle for dominance
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Arab popular support for Gaza
How pro-Palestinian protests threaten Middle East autocrats
In some Middle Eastern countries, pro-Palestinian rallies recall pro-democracy protests from 2011. Now, the region's authoritarian leaders are worried the conflict in Gaza could alter the political status quo at home
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War in the Middle East
What's China's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict?
Beijing is seeking to mediate in the war between Israel and Hamas. China has condemned both parties' violence. Despite this, public hostility towards Israel prevails