Brookings: Topics - Saudi Arabia

The Middle East and the New Global Economy: Development and Diversification in Saudi Arabia

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Saudi Arabia will join other Group of Twenty (G-20) nations this week to address the global economic recovery. In a discussion with the Middle East Youth Initiative, expert economist Hassan Hakimian explains that the government’s stimulus budget has helped to cushion the country from the worst effects of the recession. Yet, the long-term challenges of developing the non-oil, private sector and harnessing human capital remain.

Al-Qaeda's Plot to Murder Saudi Prince Muhammad Bin Nayif

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Bruce Riedel says the attempted assassination of Saudi Arabia's counterterrorism chief raises questions about whether al-Qaeda's Saudi branch has recovered from recent crackdowns against the group. Riedel examines al-Qaeda's regrouping in next-door Yemen and analyzes what this first major terror opreation in the country since 2006 means.

Global Economic Crisis: A Catalyst for Change in Saudi Arabia?

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

While King Abdullah's recent Cabinet shake-up makes headlines, the country is also confronting a volatile global economy in advance of London's G-20 summit. With oil prices slumping, Navtej Dhillon and Hassan Hakimian analyze whether Saudi Arabia can maintain its strong economic position and continue to create jobs for its youth population.

Displacement in the Muslim World

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Throughout the Muslim world, millions of people have been forced to flee their homes and communities for many reasons, including both conflicts and natural disasters. This massive displacement of people affects both national development plans and individual human development, affecting relationships between countries, UN Security Council discussions, and peace processes. In short, as Hady Amr and Elizabeth Ferris argue, understanding—and resolving—displacement is central to development, peace, and security.

Terrorism: Rogue Operators

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Think that state sponsors of terror are pulling all the strings? Think again. Daniel Byman details how countries like Iran and Syria may play a big role in the terrorism underworld, but they’re quickly losing control over rogues that bite the hands that once fed them.

Middle East’s Economic Paradox

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

According to a recent study by the Middle East Youth Initiative, the region loses $25 billion a year due to youth unemployment. Navtej Dhillon, MEYI Director/Fellow, Jad Chaaban, Assistant Professor at American University of Beirut, and Tarik Yousef, Brookings Senior Fellow and Dean of the Dubai School of Government, discuss country statistics and regional policy implications.

The Changing Nature of State Sponsorship of Terrorism

Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The current United States approach to state sponsorship of terrorism is flawed, writes Daniel Byman. He suggests that instead of simply managing a list of state sponsors, Washington needs to recognize the complexity of sponsorship, monitor states using a broad definition of what constitutes state sponsorship, and use diplomatic pressure as well as political and economic penalties when needed.

The Changing Nature of State Sponsorship of Terrorism

Wed, 28 May 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 28, 2008, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

The Saban Center for Middle East Policy hosted a policy luncheon on May 28, 2008, launching a Saban Center analysis paper of the same name. The paper’s author, Daniel Byman, presented a summary of the paper’s findings. Bruce Hoffman, Senior Fellow at the U.S. Military Academy and Professor at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, provided comments. Bruce Riedel moderated the discussion.

Rising Oil Prices, Declining National Security

Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As gasoline prices continue to set new records, David Sandalow recently testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the national security threats posed by rising oil prices. Drawing from his book Freedom from Oil, Sandalow emphasized the potential for plug-in electric vehicles to help solve the problem.”

America and the Middle East: The Role of Public Opinion

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 15, 2008, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

On May 15, 2008, The Brookings Doha Center (BDC), a project of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, hosted Shibley Telhami for the first in-house BDC policy luncheon. The discussion focused on Dr. Telhami’s latest academic polling on public attitudes in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Economic and Political Development Report: Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Tamara Cofman Wittes and Isobel Coleman met with business leaders, academics, journalists, and civic activists in Saudi Arabia. Among their key findings are that many Saudis welcomed the emergence of a more open atmosphere, pointing to King Abdullah’s ascension to the throne, dynamism in neighboring Gulf states, and a new “post-post-9/11” environment as key catalysts for the change. Yet, there was frustration at the unpredictability and arbitrariness of the newly expanded social and political space.

Reform in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 13, 2008, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

The Saban Center for Middle East Policy hosted a luncheon roundtable discussion with Visiting Fellow Dr. Mai Yamani, of the Royal Institute of International Affairs. Yamani presented a draft of her forthcoming Middle East Memo entitled “Reform in Saudi Arabia.”

Al Qaeda’s Third Front: Saudi Arabia

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bruce Riedel and Bilal Saab believe the war in Saudi Arabia is being waged over the biggest stakes of all: control over Islam's holy cities and oil wealth. Yet, having withdrawn most of its forces from Saudi Arabia in August 2003 after al Qaeda began its war, the United States remains on the margins.

Boosting Smart Power: The Role of the United States in the Middle East

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

While the United States concentrates its Middle Eastern policy efforts on democracy and the war on terrorism, 60% of the region’s population is facing a crisis of their own – a fight for decent education, employment and housing. Brookings Fellow Navtej Dhillon says that the United States and the international community must refocus their efforts on building a future for the Middle Eastern majority; from using hard power to boosting smart power.

The Two Faces of Saudi Arabia

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Saudi Arabian regime, aided by oil money and custodianship of Islam’s holiest sites, has in recent years emerged as one of the most active and creative diplomatic players in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia: Nervously Watching Pakistan

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With the exception of India, no country in the world is more concerned about Pakistan’s political crisis than Saudi Arabia. However, Bruce Riedel writes that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s relationship will survive the former’s current political tensions given the strength of the two countries economic ties.

The Many Faces of Saudi Arabia

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 19, 2007 at 12:00 AM

The Saban Center for Middle East Policy held a luncheon with Mai Yamani, a research fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London. Yamani shared her insights concerning the diversity of Saudi society and the implications of this diversity for the future of the Al-Saud dynasty and the Kingdom's place in the region.

The Honeymoon's Over for Bush and the Saudis

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Martin S. Indyk, The Washington Post (4/29/07)

Saudi Arabia's Own Iraq Nightmare

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Daniel L. Byman, Salon (2/8/07)

Beyond Petroleum

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Book Review by Michael E. O'Hanlon, The National Interest (1/3/07)

Iraqi Refugees: Carriers of Conflict

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Daniel L. Byman and Kenneth M. Pollack, The Atlantic Monthly (November 2006)

Iran: The Gulf Between Us

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Flynt L. Leverett, New York Times (1/24/06)

Ambassador with Portfolio

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Flynt L. Leverett, The New York Times (7/26/05)

The Iraq War Has Only Set Back Middle East Reform

Mon, 14 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Shibley Telhami, NPR.org (3/14/05)

Confronting Passive Sponsors of Terrorism

Tue, 01 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Analysis by Daniel L. Byman (2/1/05)

Saudi Arabia Refashions its Soul

Fri, 07 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, The Daily Star (5/7/04)

Securing the Persian Gulf: Washington Must Manage Both External Aggression and Internal Instability

Mon, 01 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT

America's primary interest in the Persian Gulf is ensuring the free and stable flow of the region's oil to the world at large. Washington's aim is not simply to keep oil flowing out of the Persian Gulf, but also to prevent any potentially hostile sta

Does Saudi Arabia Still Matter? Differing Perspectives on the Kingdom and Its Oil

Fri, 01 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Fiona Hill and Shibley Telhami in Foreign Affairs (November/December 2002)