Whats New...

Saudi prince health signals possible tussle for power
May 5, 2008
RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Crown Prince Sultan's visit to a Swiss clinic for medical checks last week provided a reminder of a potential power vacuum in the world's biggest oil exporter, analysts and diplomats say.
Read More...

After Sultan: Saudi Crown Prince Incapacitation Trigger Instability of Absolute Monarchy
Apr 28, 2008

A Policy brief by Ali Al-Ahmed and Logan Barclift

The Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin AbdulAziz has been rushed abruptly for urgent medical care to Geneva, Switzerland Saturday, a sign of a serious problem that may disturb the succession line in the absolute monarchy and create the possibility for internal instability.

Kuwait: After the Elections
Apr 10, 2008
Last month's dissolution of Kuwait's National Assembly was the result of frustrations that have been building for many years. Disagreement between the government and the Assembly over further increases in wages for public employees may have been the trigger, but the root cause is the fact that the assembly lacks the power that the people expect. The solution to this problem is to change the power relationship between the assembly and the government.
Read More...

Saudi clerics back death fatwa for liberal writers
Mar 20, 2008
RIYADH (Reuters) - A group of Saudi clerics has come out in support of a colleague who issued a fatwa saying two writers deserve to die if they did not retract views that he said made them apostates.
Read More...

International Participation in Saudi Segregated Festival Harms Women Rights
Mar 6, 2008

International governments, non-governmental organizations, intellectuals, media outlets, and the United Nations are supporting the Saudi policy of gender apartheid through their participation in an annual Saudi festival championed by the Saudi King Abdullah.