Saudi Arabia

Inspired by love, longing, and the desert environment, female poets have long contributed to Nabati poetry. Now, women are breaking norms, refuting the notion that women and men are on different levels in poetry.

On August 11, AGSIW partnered with the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies to host a virtual panel discussion examining social reform programs in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has adopted strict austerity measures to combat the dual effect of falling oil prices and the coronavirus crisis. Unlike previous measures that were lifted when oil prices recovered, a July 1 VAT increase (from 5% to 15%) is more likely to stay in place, which could present challenges to low-income families, businesses, and plans to revive domestic tourism.

A tense period in U.S.-Saudi relations has not dissuaded the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund from investing in major U.S. companies during an opportunistic spending spree.

On May 14, AGSIW hosted a virtual private roundtable with Ibrahim Al-Muhanna, former advisor to the minister of energy, industry, and mineral resources of Saudi Arabia, and member of the board of directors of AGSIW.

As the Saudi government manages the fallout from collapsing oil revenue, it will be seeking greater contributions from the Saudi public. A little-known program to instill the productive values of entrepreneurship, hard work, and optimism may have found its moment.

Although there are many reasons to believe the U.S.-Saudi partnership can endure, the need for both parties to repair trust has rarely been more urgent.

As Saudi Arabia undergoes a generational shift, Saudi Ramadan series provide insight into the social changes occurring inside the kingdom.