Saudi Arabia

A large gathering of people seated on the ground, sharing a communal meal during a religious event, with many wearing traditional white clothing.

Celebrating Eid al-Fitr in one of Islam’s holiest cities

Out of Eden Walk

As Ramadan wraps up, Muslims across the globe are preparing for Eid al-Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast.” National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek has been walking around the world on foot for the past 13 years for his project, the Out of Eden Walk. He joins Host Marco Werman to talk about the year he spent Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr near the Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

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

Leaders

A pilgrimage turns to tragedy as scorching heat causes 1,300 people to die during the Hajj

Religion
The sun rises over a Mosque on the Persian Gulf in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 9, 1990.

Saudi Arabia’s conservative clerics have a new relationship with the government under Mohammed bin Salman

Lifestyle & Belief
Build it, and they will come: The dream of King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Join the journey at outofedenwalk.org.

Out of Eden Walk: Paul Salopek traverses the Arabian Peninsula via Saudi Arabia

Out of Eden Walk
Evacuees leave Saudi Amanah ship after landing at Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, May 4, 2023. 

Negotiations continue in Saudi Arabia to end fighting in Sudan

Conflict & Justice

Talks are underway in Saudi Arabia to end the fighting in Sudan. But so far, there’s been no major breakthrough. The World’s Shirin Jaafari spoke with Fahad Nazer, spokesperson for the Saudi Embassy in Washington, about where the talks are headed.

Argentinian players celebrate after winning penalty shootout during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. 

Argentina hailed World Cup champions after dramatic win

Sports

After more than 120 minutes of play, Argentina beat France in penalty kicks in an extraordinary match on Sunday at this year’s World Cup in Doha, Qatar.

two men stand near each other

Experts question what the US will get out of Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia

President Joe Biden arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday for the first time since he took office. He met with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Biden said in the past that he would make the kingdom “the pariah that it is.” But as gas prices have skyrocketed, he has changed his rhetoric. Now, experts question what the US will get out of this controversial visit.

US President Joe Biden and Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid, sign a security pledge at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Jerusalem

US and Israel sign joint declaration on Iran’s nuclear program during Biden’s visit

Nuclear

During President Joe Biden’s trip to the Middle East, he’s signed a joint declaration with Israel to counter Iran’s nuclear program. The World’s host Marco Werman speaks with Sina Azodi, a nonresident fellow with the Atlantic Council in Washington, about what the move means.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman review a military honor guard during a welcome ceremony, in Ankara, Turkey

MBS visits Ankara as Turkey attempts to repair relations with its regional rivals

Global Politics

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for talks in Ankara. The visit comes as Turkey seeks to repair ties with its regional rivals. Steven A. Cook at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington spoke with The World’s host Carol Hills about the significance of the visit.