This analysis argues that Mohammed bin Salman’s drive to centralise Saudi power has disrupted the traditional relationship between the monarchy, tribes and religious establishment, while his military dependence on Western protection and
This analysis argues that Mohammed bin Salman’s drive to centralise Saudi power has disrupted the traditional relationship between the monarchy, tribes and religious establishment, while his military dependence on Western protection and
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What began as a conflict involving a relatively small Yemeni movement has developed into a confrontation with consequences for Gulf security, global shipping and the broader Middle East. The Houthis’ attacks on
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Saudi Arabia is confronting a worsening security crisis after Houthi forces seized key positions along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and resumed missile and drone attacks against Saudi infrastructure, while the network of
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More than a decade after Rizana Nafeek’s execution in Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka appears to be confronting another death-penalty crisis involving a migrant worker, Sivarasa Anojan. His case exposes the persistent weaknesses
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Saudi Arabia could run out of oil stocks available for export if it does not restart its major east-west pipeline to the Red Sea within days, potentially removing up to 4% of
More Saudi Arabia’s crude oil production plunged by nearly 2 million barrels per day in August to its lowest level in more than 35 years, as conflicts across the Middle East disrupted the
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On August 18, 2026, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry told the National Assembly that Afghan nationals had surrendered around 5,000 Pakistani passports in Saudi Arabia alone. He added that
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The Mecca Accord, signed in August 2026 by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, represents a striking recalibration of power within the Islamic world. It is not merely a defence pact but a
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On August 7, 2026, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement at the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit
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The much-debated “Islamic NATO” dream in the Middle East may have seen some light, at least on paper. Still, a closer examination suggests that this pact is largely symbolic, aimed at readjusting
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A statement by the Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia’s official media arm on August 07 outlines some details of the “Makkah Joint Defence Agreement,” [MJDA] signed by the three leaders of Saudi
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Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are expected to sign a trilateral defence pact at a summit in Jeddah on Friday, according to information obtained by Agence France-Presse (AFP) from Saudi military and
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Commercial shipping through two of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints declined sharply on Wednesday, according to shipping data, highlighting the continued disruption to regional trade routes amid escalating conflict in
More Washington has opened talks with Saudi Arabia to consider nuclear capability for the desert kingdom. The Americans and Saudis insist they are only discussing peaceful nuclear weapons. Don’t believe it. The Saudis
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On 22 July, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed what Washington calls a ‘peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement.’ The agreement has been presented as a commercial arrangement that will help Saudi Arabia diversify
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