QUOTED

Quoted

The easing of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia has left other GCC members in “a safer position because any clash between the two regional giants would invariably have involved the smaller states, which would have had to take sides—in favor of Saudi Arabia—and therefore getting in the crosshairs of the Islamic Republic. As a general rule, any developments that result in a reduction of regional tensions are welcomed by the smaller GCC states.” Dr. Mehran Kamrava, Professor of Government at Georgetown University in Qatar, How smaller GCC states view the Iranian-Saudi détente [Amwaj]

TOP STORY

Biden’s Oil Boom

US oil production

Reuters reports that during the Biden administration not only has oil production hit record highs but energy company profits, dividends, drilling permits, jobs and energy exports are all up.

[more]

 

MORE TOP STORYLINES

Unemployment among Saudis down to 7.7% in Q4 2023

in argaam.com: The unemployment rate among Saudis fell to 7.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 8.6% in the third quarter of 2023, according to the General Authority for Statistics’ (GASTAT) labor force survey.   The unemployment rate in Q4 2023 is at the lowest ever level, based on the data available since 1999.   The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 targets an unemployment rate of 7%.

Commentary: Hamas’ Oct. 7 Attack Wasn’t Mainly About Israel, It Was About Defeating Its Palestinian Political Rival

Via Hussein Ibish in news.yahoo: If Israel, the United States, and others are interested in denying Hamas a victory, they will have to recognize that strengthening Fatah, the PA, and the PLO is the essential internal Palestinian political corollary to whatever blows are struck against Hamas from the outside. Since Hamas is mainly fighting to outshine, marginalize, and overwhelm Fatah, any outcome that does not strengthen the PA and PLO will not, in fact, be a political defeat for the Islamists.

New poll shows waning American support for Israel war in Gaza

Via Laura Rozen: A new Gallup poll shows a majority of Americans (55%) now oppose Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, while only 36% approve of it. That marks a sharp drop in support for Israel’s military campaign since its poll in November, which then found that 50% of Americans approved of Israel’s military action in Gaza, compared with 45% who disapproved.

 

MORE ON THE KINGDOM AND BEYOND

Saudi Arabia denounces Israeli decision to confiscate West Bank land

Israel’s actions “undermine the chances of a just and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution,” the statement on SPA added. ...[By Tamara Abueish via alarabiya.net]

 

How smaller GCC states view the Iranian-Saudi détente

Both Iran and Saudi Arabia have taken steps to build on their diplomatic breakthrough. There has been a reopening of embassies with ...[By Giorgio Cafiero via amwaj.media]

 

Iraq-Saudi engagement weathers tumultuous regional climate

Amid growing regional tensions, Iraq has sought to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia and advance its nascent economic ties with the Kingdom. The bilateral relationship...[By Ali Kareem Ozheb via amwaj.media]

 

Perspective: Saudi Arabia Goes for Transformative Hat Trick

The idea is to open up the economy and end its dependence on oil and gas; modify the existing fundamentalist tradition, which dates back to...[By Alvaro Vargas Llosa via independent.org]

 

Saudi Aramco chief says world should ‘abandon fantasy’ of phasing out fossil fuels

"One of the challenges here is that while society wants to see emissions reduced, nobody wants to pay for it," Woods said. Nasser called for...[]

 

Houthis threaten Saudi Arabia’s oil installations for ‘supporting US aggression’

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have threatened to target Saudi Arabia’s oil installations should the country allow a US-led coalition to use its airspace to counter the...[via hellenicshippingnews.com]

 

Vision 2030: How Water Scarcity in Saudi Arabia Persists

Around eight government agencies, including the Ministry of Environment, Water, Agriculture (MEWA), Water & Electricity Regulatory Authority (WERA), and Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) are...[By Yasmine Vakili via irreview.org]

 

Crown prince receives governors of Saudi regions

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received governors of the Kingdom’s regions following their 31st annual meeting, the Saudi Press Agency said early...[via arabnews.com]

 

The new kid on Saudi Arabia’s tourism scene

The announcement of Soudah Peaks was made through an integrated campaign titled ‘Above the Clouds’ that spanned various platforms, including a digital presence, a video...[By Justin Harper via ]

 

Saudi Arabia aims to be among top 10 global destinations in 2024

Saudi Arabia aims to be among the top 10 global touristic destinations this year, with national tourism strategy aiming to attract more than 150...[By Chantal Fouad via gulfnews.com]

 

Saudi Arabia controversially elected chair of UN forum for women’s rights

The country’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has framed these reforms — and other milestones, like the nation’s debut at the...[By Caroline Anders via ]

 

Saudi Arabia declares annual Saudi Green Initiative day to promote climate action

In a move to underscore its commitment to environmental sustainability, Saudi Arabia has established March 27 as the annual Saudi Green Initiative Day, coinciding with...[via saudigazette.com]

 

Top 10 Netflix Films in Saudi this week

Weekly Top 10 lists of the most watched TV and films in countries around the world....[via netflix.com]

 

Biden’s oil boom

Almost no matter the metric, the U.S. oil and gas industry has flourished under President Joe Biden, even though his administration has pushed hard to...[By Prinz Magtulis, Nichola Groom, Jarrett Renshaw and Moira Warburton via reuters.com]

 

Ireland to intervene in South Africa genocide case against Israel

Ireland said on Wednesday it would intervene in South Africa's genocide case against Israel, in the strongest...[By Padraic Halpin via reuters.com]

 

China will be a driving force for the world economic recovery, official says

China aims to be strong driving force for the world economic recovery this year, opening its markets...[By Liangping Gao and Kevin Yao via reuters.com]

 

State Dept. human rights staffer quits over Biden’s Gaza policy

Annelle Sheline, 38, stepped down after a year as a foreign affairs officer in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, with nearly half...[By Hannah Allam and John Hudson via washingtonpost.com]

 
 

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