The approval comes a year after President Donald Trump announced Riyadh would be permitted to buy the highly advanced stealth fighters, though lawmakers could still block the sale.
Breaking Defense•Michael Marrow17 Sept
Deal is a win for Riyadh while it is embroiled in a regional crisis triggered by the Iran war
Regional analysts highlight the growing security alignment between Cairo and Riyadh amid escalating Red Sea tensions.
Al Jazeera17 Sept
A new link between Manchester and the Saudi capital of Riyadh launched this morning – with Saudi Arabia’s new digital-led airline Riyadh Air making the North’s hub airport just its fourth destination in Europe. The service will not only open up connections to Saudi Arabia for travellers from the North but will also give them access via onward connections to Riyadh Air’s network of destinations across Africa and Asia.
Riyadh has been thrown into crisis after Yemeni forces it helped arm and train were overrun by the Iran-backed Houthis
The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh on Wednesday warned Americans to reconsider traveling to Saudi Arabia amid the threat of Iranian drone and missile strikes targeting U.S. assets in the country. Embassy officials shared this in a Level 3 travel advisory that also warned of threats of “armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social…
The Hill•Ryan Mancini16 Sept
Saudi Arabia accused Yemen's Houthis on Wednesday of launching a "cowardly" attack targeting Islam's holy city of Mecca, sparking outrage across the Muslim world. The Houthis swiftly rejected as a "lie" Riyadh's statement that it had shot down a drone heading towards Mecca, which attracts millions of pilgrims each year. FRANCE 24's Emerald Maxwell reports.
Saudi Arabia’s oil supply crisis is rapidly becoming Europe’s problem. The September 10 attacks on Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline struck the system at multiple locations and damaged at least one pumping station, forcing Riyadh to shut down the Kingdom’s critical alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. The 1,200-kilometer Petroline can carry around 7 million barrels per day from Saudi Arabia’s eastern producing regions to Yanbu on the Red Sea. Since the war effectively closed Hormuz, it has become one of the most important…
The pipeline shutdown has put pressure on Saudi oil supplies to Europe as further conflict in the region threatens shipping routes. Riyadh has yet to comment on reports that some refiners face delays until November.
Euronews16 Sept
Riyadh has several military options, say analysts, but all of them carry risks, too.
Al Jazeera15 Sept
Gulf states called off Monday's planned meeting with Iran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz the same day Yemen's Houthis fired dozens of missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia's King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait, calling it retaliation for more than 300 Saudi airstrikes on Yemen in five days. A Friday drone attack Riyadh blamed on Iran-backed fighters in Iraq knocked out Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, the kingdom's only route around the blockaded strait. The 7-million-barrel-a-day line feeds the Red Sea port of Yanbu, with traders telling…
Impasse comes amid growing Saudi anger with Tehran over Houthi advances and strikes on airbase and pipeline Oil prices rise after drone attacks shut down Saudi Arabia’s east-west pipeline Gulf states have postponed a critical meeting with Iran on the future of the strait of Hormuz owing to a lack of Arab consensus and growing Saudi Arabian anger with Tehran for helping the Houthis loosen Riyadh’s grip in Yemen. The stalemate over the vital waterway came as Houthi rebels launched a fresh barrage of missile and drone attacks on Saudi military targets. A Houthi military spokesperson claimed its forces had attacked the King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait, hitting fighter-jet hangars, radar systems, runways and landing strips, ammunition depots and additional targets. Continue reading...
The Guardian•Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor14 Sept
US Open champion’s relationship with her previously banned coach remains under spotlight despite her rise to the top In the bitter aftermath of her straight-sets defeat by Elena Rybakina at the WTA Finals last November, an inconsolable Aryna Sabalenka walked over to her courtside player box and slumped into a chair. Sabalenka had been completely overpowered by her opponent, a strange and unusual feeling for such a powerful player, and she was seething. Sabalenka eventually settled on a popular Russian idiom to explain Rybakina’s untouchable form, which she believed was fortunately timed: “Once a year, even a stick shoots,” she said. That stick, it turns out, has spent the past year shooting straight at Sabalenka in every significant match. Rybakina’s dominant performance in Riyadh was a clear warning and she has dominated the hard-court grand slam tournaments this year, defeating Sabalenka in the Australian Open and US Open finals. Continue reading...
The Guardian•Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows13 Sept
Riyadh announced the closure of its East-West Crude Oil Pipeline following drone attacks emanating from Iraq. The pipeline served as a critical oil export alternative to the Persian Gulf after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of launching 129 strikes in 48 hours as fears grow over impact on Riyadh’s oil industry
Al Jazeera13 Sept
A firsthand look at Riyadh Air's Boeing 787-9 business class from Riyadh to Madrid, covering the seats, food, service, and onboard amenities.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig12 Sept
Riyadh has increased its use of the East-West pipeline since the start of the Middle East war to bypass the closure of the strait of Hormuz Saudi authorities said Friday drones launched from Iraq led to the temporary closure of a crucial oil export route used to bypass the lockdown of the strait of Hormuz . Riyadh has increased its use of the East-West pipeline, which links Abqaiq, near the Gulf, to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, since the start of the Middle East war to bypass strait of Hormuz closed by Iran. Continue reading...
The Guardian•Agence France-Presse12 SeptRiyadh has increased its use of the East-West pipeline since the start of the Middle East war to bypass the closure of the strait of Hormuz Saudi authorities said Friday drones launched from Iraq led to the temporary closure of a crucial oil export route used to bypass the lockdown of the strait of Hormuz . Riyadh has increased its use of the East-West pipeline, which links Abqaiq, near the Gulf, to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, since the start of the Middle East war to bypass strait of Hormuz closed by Iran. Continue reading...
The Guardian•Agence France-Presse12 Sept
Saudi Arabia has shut its East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack. Riyadh says the attack originated in Iraq.
Al Jazeera12 Sept
A first-hand look at Saudia's A330 business class between Jeddah and Riyadh, covering the lounge, seat, entertainment, food, and service.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig7 Sept