Saudi Arabia

A Saudi woman poses in this picture to illustrate driving a car in Jiddah as part of a June 2011 protest. An advisory council recently recommended for the first time lifting a ban on female drivers.

World News

Saudi Women Reportedly Referred To Terrorism Court For Driving

1:18pm December 26, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The two women were arrested as they tried to cross the border from UAE, where they had legally obtained driver's licenses. The two also are said to have been active online against the ban.

Saudi Arabian women wear their traditional face covering, the niqab, at a coffee and chocolate exhibition in the capital Riyadh on Monday. A prominent religious figure said on Twitter that the face veil is not mandatory, sparking a heated national debate.

World News

A Tweet On Women's Veils, Followed By Raging Debate In Saudi Arabia

1:48pm December 17, 2014

by Deborah Amos

A prominent ultra-conservative figure says face veils for women are not mandatory. Now everyone is weighing in on the hottest topic in the kingdom.

A member of the Saudi border guards mans a machine gun at the border with Iraq in July. Since the so-called Islamic State launched its offensive this summer in Iraq, Saudi Arabia has sent thousands of troops to the region.

World News

Facing Threats From ISIS And Iran, Gulf States Set To Join Forces

11:17am December 09, 2014

by Deborah Amos

The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council is expected to form an unprecedented, NATO-inspired joint military command. The growing strength of ISIS and Iran's influence have made cooperation more urgent.

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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud as the Saudi ambassador to the United States, Adel al-Jubeir, listens before a meeting at the Royal Palace in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sept. 11.

World News

Why Does Saudi Arabia Seem So Comfortable With Falling Oil Prices?

10:29am October 31, 2014

by Jackie Northam

Normally, the "central banker of oil" would slow production to push up prices. Not so now. Some say it's a geopolitical tactic aimed at Russia and Iran; others say it's just protecting market share.

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An A-18C Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) to conduct strike missions against Islamic State group targets.

Airstrikes Hit ISIS-Controlled Oil Refineries

11:13am September 25, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The facilities, captured by Islamic State militants earlier this year, are said to produce $2 million worth of refined oil each day to help fund the extremist organization.

A photo released by the U.S. Navy shows the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea launching a Tomahawk cruise missile against Islamic State targets in Syria on Tuesday.

National

Airstrikes Move To Syria, Target More Than Just ISIS

4:13pm September 23, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The strikes, supported by five Arab nations, are a major escalation in the campaign and hit other extremist groups, including one that the Pentagon says is planning to attack U.S. interests.

A woman drives a car in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Saudi Arabia is the only country where women are barred from driving, but activists have launched a renewed protest and are urging women to drive on Saturday.

Saudi Women Go For A Spin In Latest Challenge To Driving Ban

7:39pm October 24, 2013

by Deborah Amos

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that effectively bars women from driving. Women are making a renewed challenge to the ban by getting behind the wheel and posting videos in advance of a national drive-in set for Saturday.

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