Saudi Arabia
State Department continues to see Saudis as player in Mideast peace process
“The U.S. interest in this first mission is to counter Iran’s regional ambitions, and to help our allies and partners protect themselves,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The only threat to stability remains from outside actors—particularly, arch-rival Iran, and from some Western governments and businesses that have cooled on the kingdom of late. But this will surely blow over because of the Saudis’ vast economic clout.
Israelis barred from Saudi chess tournament demand action from world chess body
Israeli chess grandmaster Ilya Smirin and former spokesperson for the Israeli Chess Federation Lior Aizenberg have written to FIDE requesting financial compensation and seeking assurances that it will not allow host countries to perpetrate such discrimination against Israelis.
The Middle Eastern country is slated to build 16 nuclear reactors in the next 20 years for $80 billion.
“What happened in the Istanbul consulate was horrendous,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Yet at the same time, it is very important for the stability of the world, of the region and of the world, that Saudi Arabia remain stable.”
The cover-up and now acknowledgment of the Saudi government’s role in the grizzly slaying of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has highlighted a significant power struggle between two regional foes—Saudi Arabia and Turkey—and threatening to cause further regional instability.
Mnuchin discusses Iran oil sanctions with Saudi prince
The two “stressed the importance of the Saudi-U.S. strategic partnership and the future role of this partnership in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.
With an alleged human-rights violation in the public spotlight, the kingdom’s allies may now try to distance themselves from its leadership.
There is concern that if UNRWA is unable to help hundreds of thousands of needy Palestinians due to budget cuts, Israel will see rioting, an escalation in violence and terrorist attacks.
The National Security Council began approaching other government agencies for volunteers to join a team that will work with Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, and Jason Greenblatt, Trump’s special envoy for international peace negotiations.
The move is seen as part of an attempt by the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, to modernize the country. He also lifted bans on cinemas and mixed-gender music concerts.
International cooperation and tacit recognition of Israel has received a boost, with Kenyan Airways submitting a formal request to fly commercial planes from Kenya to Israel over Sudanese airspace.
