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  • Iran’s political map shifts as crises erupt at home, abroad

    Sidelined under conservative Ebrahim Raisi’s presidency (2021-24), Iran’s pro-reform camp is gaining momentum under Masoud Pezeshkian. Amid growing domestic and foreign policy challenges—including an economic crisis and a society on edge over a new hijab law—Reformists are joined by centrists and pragmatic conservatives in pushing back against hardliners. This comes as the question of leadership succession continues to loom large.

  • Saudi delegation led by Royal Court advisor meets with Syria’s Al-Sharaa

    A Saudi delegation headed by an advisor from the Royal Court met with the head of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, at the People’s Palace in Syria on Sunday, according to an Al Arabiya report. Earlier this week, Al-Sharaa praised progress made by Saudi Arabia and neighboring Gulf countries in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat. “We admire the development in Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia’s bold plans and vision, and we aspire to achieve similar progress for Syria,” he told the newspaper’s Bissane El-Cheikh during an interview the the Presidential Palace in Damascus. “There are many opportunities for cooperation, especially in economic and developmental areas, where we can align our goals,” he added.

  • As Iran’s top council pauses new hijab law, some warn of ‘tyranny’

    The implementation of a controversial new law which mandates stricter enforcement of the Islamic dress code has been put on hold by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). The move—which has raised eyebrows—comes after widespread criticism of the legislation. Many have credited Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, who chairs the top decision-making council, for the feat. At the same time, the maneuver has raised questions among critics who say it makes a mockery of the legislative process in Iran.

  • Deception and Betrayal: Inside the Final Days of the Assad Regime

    As rebels advanced toward the Syrian capital of Damascus on Dec. 7, the staff in the hilltop Presidential Palace prepared for a speech they hoped would lead to a peaceful end to the 13-year civil war. Aides to President Bashar al-Assad were brainstorming messaging ideas. A film crew had set up cameras and lights nearby. Syria’s state-run television station was ready to broadcast the finished product: an address by Mr. al-Assad announcing a plan to share power with members of the political opposition, according to three people who were involved in the preparation. Working from the palace, Mr. al-Assad, who had wielded fear and force to maintain his authoritarian rule over Syria for more than two decades, had betrayed no sense of alarm to his staff, according to a palace insider whose office was near the president’s. The capital’s defenses had been bolstered, Mr. al-Assad’s aides were told, including by the powerful 4th Armored Division of the Syrian Army, led by the president’s brother Maher al-Assad, the insider said.

  • Saudi Arabia invests in robots to help build its Neom desert megacity

    "Having worked in the rebar industry in various forms for the past 30 years, it is very exciting to reach a point where the large-scale adoption of robotics and automation to improve the rebar process is happening," explains Ulrich Deichmann, CEO of GMT Robotics. "We share in Neom's ambition to rethink how construction is delivered and look forward to a highly successful partnership that will help revolutionize the construction industry. The benefits of robotics application within the construction sector are numerous. They include boosting task efficiency, reducing operating costs, improving health and safety, and optimizing design flexibility."

  • Suspect in German Christmas market attack had history of troubling social media posts that grew increasingly dark

    The man accused of killing five people and injuring more than 200 others by ramming a car into a crowded German Christmas market had a history of making anti-Islam statements, which had grown increasingly dark and threatening towards Germany in recent months. The suspect, Taleb Al Abdulmohsen, was arrested at the scene of the deadly attack in Magdenburg on Friday. German authorities said they believe he acted alone. A Saudi Arabian citizen, the 50-year-old psychiatrist came to Germany in 2006. Once settled in the country, he began sharing advice online with other people about how to escape repressive regimes in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, setting up the platform wearesaudis.net.

  • Saudi Arabia, Yemen agree to establish 3 firms

    The Saudi-Yemeni Business Council at the Federation of Saudi Chambers announced the launch of six initiatives to boost trade and investment exchanges between the two countries and support economic development efforts in Yemen. Three Saudi-Yemeni companies were agreed upon, according to Abdullah bin Mahfouz, Head of the Saudi-Yemeni Business Council. The first, with a capital of $100 million, will focus on renewable energy, producing electricity through solar power to supply Yemen. The second will provide communications via the Starlink satellite network, while the third will organize exhibitions and conferences in Yemen to promote Saudi products and support reconstruction efforts.

  • Camels, kabsa, and kindness: a British influencer’s unexpected adventure in Saudi Arabia

    The response from Moores’ followers to his Saudi adventure has been “overwhelmingly positive,” he said. “Initially, I wasn’t sure how they would react, especially as I was venturing to a place I had never visited before. However, everyone embraced the journey and truly loved the experience.” Despite initial apprehension, Moores found reassurance through Visit Saudi, which provided him with resources and connections across the country. “I felt completely reassured about my safety.”

  • Alat, a Company Created by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Has Become a Strategic Corporate Partner of EvoNexus

    EvoNexus is California’s premier non-profit technology incubator with locations in San Diego and Irvine. Alat, a PIF company, will create a global sustainable technology manufacturing hub in Saudi Arabia focused on advanced industrials and electronics. Alat will focus on seven key Strategic Business Units: advanced industrials, semiconductors, smart health, smart appliances, smart devices, smart buildings, as well as next generation infrastructure and create products both for Saudi Arabia and the world. In December, EvoNexus and Alat entered into a strategic corporate partnership.

  • Saudi Arabia and ICR Sign Historic MoU at COP16 Riyadh – Framework for Nature Based Solutions

    In a collaboration aimed at advancing global climate solutions, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) and the International Carbon Registry (ICR) entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the COP16 to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh. This MoU signifies a major step forward in leveraging Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to address climate challenges and foster sustainable development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.