Saudi Arabia
The Houthis’ Game Changer
The Houthis’ lightning offensive and seizure of key positions around the Bab al-Mandab Strait is a significant turning point. By extending their reach to one of the world’s most vital maritime choke points, the Houthis have given Iran additional leverage against the U.S.
Spin Cycle
Critics blasted comics for performing in Riyadh and fretted about Saudi money in video games. But the “whitewashing” critique flattens Arab societies, ignores local audiences and indulges a Western moral superiority that is no longer tenable.
Saudi Arabia’s High-Stakes Bet on Gaming
Saudi Arabia is quietly becoming a global gaming superpower, investing billions in the owners of franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. The move says a lot about the kingdom’s soft power, cultural values and potential influence on a generation raised on games.
How a Saudi Atheist Became a Killer
Taleb Abdulmohsen’s attack on a Christmas market in Germany concluded the story of a paranoid and grandiose personality with a persistent record of inserting himself in just causes — only to adopt unjust means in their pursuit.
A Film About a Goatherding Indian Migrant Sparks a Gulf Controversy
The film adaptation of a popular Malayalam-language novel has sparked an unexpected controversy in Saudi Arabia, as many think it shows the country in an unfair light. The story follows a migrant from India who ends up in slave-like conditions at a goat farm.
Why Pilgrims Are Dying on the Hajj
A recent overhaul of Saudi Arabia's visa system has caused the rise of an international network of “Hajj racketeers.” When unauthorized pilgrims reach Mecca, stringent new security measures force them to undertake long, arduous treks on foot under the scorching desert sun to fulfill their religious duties.
For Pilgrims Traveling Unofficially, Performing the Hajj Can Be a Harrowing Journey
A trusted friend informed me of an opportunity to perform the Hajj, albeit informally. I had often heard the saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions," but I never imagined that my journey to Mecca outside the official pilgrimage system would lead me to a nightmare.