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Riyadh

Trump kicks off Middle East visit with talk of a ‘golden age’ 

Leaders

President Donald Trump wrapped up the first day of his three-nation tour of the Middle East today in Riyadh. He thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a warm welcome and said the US-Saudi partnership has never been stronger. The visit is expected to focus on economic and trade agreements, but the president’s hosts are likely to raise concerns about some regional security issues as well. 

A protester holds a placard as she takes part in a small demonstration against the holding of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in China, at Piccadilly Circus in London, Feb. 3, 2022. 

Uyghurs in Saudi Arabia risk deportation to China

Human rights
A photographer takes pictures of the Khurais oil field during a tour for journalists, 150 km east-northeast of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia says it’s not responsible for high oil prices

Energy
Saudi jet fighters fly over Incirlik Air Base near Adana, southern Turkey, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. 

US sales of missiles to Saudis signal business as usual — almost

Global Politics
Several white candles are burning in front of a sign that reads, "Justice for Jamal Khashoggi."

Saudi sentences five to death, three to jail over Khashoggi murder

Justice
A sign reading "Future Investment Initiative" is visible between the heads of two men

Saudi ‘Davos’ turnout underscores costs of Khashoggi murder

Business, Economics and Jobs

Last year, many of the who’s who in politics and business boycotted Saudi Arabia’s “Davos in the Desert” event in the wake of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. This year? Many return but there are still some notable no-shows.

Flames emerge from flare stacks at Nahr Bin Umar oil field, north of Basra, Iraq, on Sept. 16, 2019.

What do attacks on Saudi oil facilities mean for US-Saudi relations?

Saudi Arabia was, for decades, the world’s largest oil producer. This disruption is the biggest supply shock in absolute terms in the last five decades and has important repercussions for US-Saudi relations.

People attend a symbolic funeral prayer for Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi

UN report sees credible evidence linking Saudi crown prince to Khashoggi murder

Conflict & Justice

Khashoggi’s death stirred widespread disgust and hurt the image of crown prince, previously admired in the West for pushing to end the kingdom’s oil dependence and easing social restrictions including by allowing women to drive.

The motorcade of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo enters the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

US ‘should’ve done more’ to prevent college student’s execution in Saudi Arabia

Foreign policy

Thirty-seven men were beheaded last week in Saudi Arabia. Most of them were from the country’s minority Shia community.

Women at the Corniche in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

How rising numbers of Gulf women are escaping abuse to seek asylum

A Troubled Kingdom

Women from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are increasingly risking their lives to flee. Some plan their escapes for years, and even with so much planning, there are times when things go wrong.