Saudi Arabia

Gulf States to Return Envoys to Qatar

Saudi, Emirati, and Bahraini envoys to return Qatar, in a reversal of a decision from March.

Will $3 Billion Saudi Deal Arm Hezbollah with French Weapons?

Saudi-funded deal of French weapons signed for Lebanese army - which has deep military cooperation with Hezbollah terror group.

Survey Reveals Europe Likes ISIS More Than Arab States Do

Why is support for brutal jihadists flourishing in the West, even as the terror group is largely shunned in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon?

Saudi Arabia to Deal 'Strictly' with Female Drivers

Authorities in Riyadh threaten strict measures against women drivers as annual campaign urges females to defy driving ban.

Germany Presents 4-Part Anti-ISIS Plan

In Saudi Arabia, German foreign minister outlines plan that includes a campaign against the group's ideology.

Muslims Stone 'Devil' at Hajj as Eid Feast Begins

Two million Muslims ritually stoned the devil Saturday in the last major rite of this year's hajj.

Saudi Arabia to Get Advanced PAC-3 Patriot Missiles

The United States on Wednesday authorized a $1.75 billion arms deal for Saudi Arabia to upgrade its aging Patriot defense system.

Saudi FM: All Terrorist Organizations Must be Eliminated

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says the war against extremists in the Middle East may take years.

Nervous of IS, Saudi Arabia Building Border Fence with Iraq

The high-security five-layered fence will cover 900km (560 miles) of the kingdom's northern frontier.

Saudi Arabia Sends Convicted Terrorists to Jail

Saudi court sentences 22 Saudi citizens, an American and a Yemeni to jail terms of between two and 27 years on terrorism charges.

UK-Based Journalist Justifies Rise in Global Anti-Semitism

Amid spike in world anti-Semitism, UK-based journalist in Saudi op-ed finds nothing amiss with 'Jews should be gassed' calls.

Has Qatar Surrendered?

Saudi FM Slams Israel, Pledges $500 Million to Gaza

Al-Faisal at OIC calls for Arab unity against Israel which is trying to 'wipe off Palestinian existence,' Israel needs 'peace' to survive.

Report: Saudi, UAE Donors Facilitated Hamas Ceasefire

Riyadh, Dubai granted money for rebuilding Gaza, official insists - prompting Hamas to change its tune over a truce.

Saudi Arabia Sends 30,000 Troops to Iraqi border

Fears of spreading instability as Saudi king orders military to take 'all necessary measures' against 'terrorists' from Iraq.

Saudi Arabia to Expel Non-Muslims who 'Disrespect' Ramadan

Saudi Arabia says it will expel non-Muslim foreigners who eat, drink or smoke in public during the month of Ramadan.

Kerry to Visit Saudi Arabia, Discuss Iraq Situation

U.S. Secretary of State will travel to Saudi Arabia on Friday for talks about the crisis in Iraq.

Saudi Arabia Sentences 33 Islamists to Prison

Eight years after their arrest, a Riyadh court sentences 33 suspected Islamist terrorists to up to 30 years in prison.

Saudi Arabia Bans Books by Pro-Brotherhood Authors

Saudi authorities ban the sale of books by two Islamist authors known to be sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Iran's Foreign Minister Turns Down Saudi Arabia Visit

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif rejects invitation to visit Saudi Arabia, explains the dates clash with planned nuclear talks.

Saudi Arabia to Crack Down on 'Anti-Islamic' Social Media Posts

Riyadh examining legal precedent for filing charges against social media sites which allow posts about adultery, atheism, and other vices.

Facing a common enemy

Israeli, Saudi Ex-Intel Heads in Rare Face-to-Face on Nukes

Amos Yadlin and former head of Saudi intelligence meet in Brussels conference in sign of entente between Saudis and Israel.

Saudi Arabia Reaches Out to Rival Iran

Saudi Arabia says it is ready to negotiate better relations with its longtime regional rival, invites Iranian Foreign Minister to Riyadh.

Why the Saudis and Muslim Brotherhood Hate Each Other

Saudi Blogger Given 10 Years, Lashes for 'Insulting Islam'

Blogger given 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes and a fine after being convicted of insulting Islam".

Saudi Arabia Says it Dismantled a Major Terrorist Organization

Saudi Arabia says a major “terrorist organization” with links to extremist elements in Syria and Yemen has been caught.

Saudi Arabia Orders 'Anti-Islamic' Website Closed

A Saudi court orders the permanent closure of a liberal website for publishing "anti-Islamic content."

Saudi King Says Atheists Are Terrorists

Saudi King Abdullah issues series of new decrees defining atheists as terrorists.

Iran Calls Obama 'Two-Faced' On Saudi Rights

Tehran slams Obama's 'hypocrisy' for not raising Saudi human rights breaches during visit last week, accuses US and Israel of 'terror.'

Prime Minister Issues Scathing Attack on UN Human Rights Council

Netanyahu brands UNHRC a 'procession of hypocrisy'; council also under fire for whitewashing Saudi human rights abuses.

Imprisoned Saudi Princesses Give Emotional Plea for Help

Princesses allegedly locked in a Jeddah palace say royal family is starving them, call on world leaders to stop 'gender apartheid.'

Obama to Saudi King: There Will be No 'Bad Deal' with Iran

President Obama assures Saudi King Abdullah that the United States would not accept a “bad deal” with Iran.

Canadian Court Expels Saudi Man for Assaulting His Daughter

Court orders the expulsion of a Saudi Arabian man who was convicted of assaulting his daughter and threatening to kill her.

Peace Now Accused of Legitimizing 'Murderers and Rapists'

Far-left NGO slammed for taking part in anti-Israel parlay sponsored by some of the world's worst human rights violators.

U.S. Blasts Saudis for Barring American-Israeli Reporter

White House criticizes Saudi Arabia after it refuses a visa to an American journalist because he works for The Jerusalem Post.

US Hiding Report on Radical Saudi School Textbooks

Pressure on Obama, ahead of Saudi trip, to reveal extensive report on traditionally anti-Semitic textbooks kept under wraps since 2012.

Arab League Summit Backs Abbas's Stubbornness in Talks

Middle East Muslim countries declare refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, as they grapple with regional conflicts.

Saudi Cleric Claims: The Sun Revolves Around the Earth

Forget what you learned at school. A Saudi cleric recently said that the sun revolves around the Earth, citing the Koran as proof.

Saudi Arabia Releases Banned Names Registry

Banned names have Western, royal connotations.

Is the Saudi King Holding His Daughters Against Their Will?

UN receives complaints about Saudi princesses being held against their will, but it could be a while before anything is done.

Saudi Man Given 8 Years for Inciting Protests on Twitter

Saudi Islamist given 8 years for inciting "families of those arrested for security reasons to protest".

Saudi Arabia Blacklists Muslim Brotherhood, Syrian Jihadists

Saudi Arabia blacklists the Muslim Brotherhood and two Syrian jihadist groups as terrorist organizations.

Saudi Schools Ban Females Who Don't Wear a Face Veil

Education departments in Saudi Arabia ban females who do not wear a face veil from entering girls’ schools.

Saudi Arabia Gets First Female Newspaper Editor

The English-language Saudi Gazette appoints woman as its editor, a step forward in a country where women are repressed.

Obama to Visit Saudi Arabia in March

President Barack Obama will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Abdullah, amid tension in relations between the countries.

New Saudi Law: 20 Years for Belonging to Terrorist Groups

Saudi King decrees jail terms of up to 20 years for belonging to "terrorist groups", part of an effort to fight jihadists.

Livni Receives Compliments from Saudi Official

"I understand why you're Israel's negotiator," former head of Saudi intelligence tells Justice Minister at Munich conference.

Survey: Egypt Overtaking Saudis As Most Conservative

Survey of 7 Arab countries: Saudis think women should cover all but eyes in public, yet half for women choosing clothes.

First Female Lawyer in Saudi Arabia

Royal decree allows first female Saudi lawyer. She wears a full face covering, raising doubts of change amid poor Saudi rights record.

Kerry: Saudis Support Peace Efforts

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says he won Saudi support for his efforts to broker a deal between Israel and the PA.

Kerry: Israel-PA Deal Will be 'Fair and Balanced'

US Secretary of State continues Middle East tour, pushing PA-Israel peace deal to Israel's neighbors.

Kerry Announces Unplanned Visit to Saudi Arabia

Previously unannounced visit on Sunday intended for consultation on progress in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Saudis Pledge $3 Billion to Lebanese Army

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman announced the largest grant provided in Lebanon's history.

Iran Claims Saudi Delegation Met Netanyahu

In the latest claim about an Israel-Saudi relationship, Iran reports that a Saudi delegation flew to Israel and met high-ranking officials.

Saudi Arabia and Israel - Let's Not Get Carried Away

Saudi Official Shakes Hands with Israelis in Rare Meeting

Saudi Prince Turki Al-Faisal speaks with MK Meir Sheetrit at conference in Monaco, but refuses invitation to visit the Knesset.

Two Saudi Women Detained for Driving

Saudi activists say that police have detained two women in Riyadh caught breaking an official ban on females driving.

Report in Iran: Saudi Intelligence Head Met Mossad Chief

Citing a "well connected" source, Iran's Fars news claims the head of Saudi intelligence met in Geneva with Mossad chief Tamir Pardo.

Jordan Elected to UN Security Council

UN General Assembly elects Jordan to the Security Council seat that Saudi Arabia rejected.

Saudi Arabia Blamed for Iran Embassy Bombing

Reversing claim that Israel bombed Iranian Beirut embassy, Hezbollah leader attacks Saudis, also accuses them of Iraqi violence.