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Wirtschaft in Saudi Arabien I Riad
Image: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFPImage: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, the largest Middle Eastern country, is among the world's top oil producers and home to Islam's holiest city, Mecca. Run by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, it is often criticized for its human rights record.

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News

December 6, 2024

Germany backs Saudi Arabia World Cup 2034 bid

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

A man holds a flag adopted by the Syrian new rulers, after Syria's Bashar Assad was ousted, in central Damascus, Syria.

Which countries win, which lose from the upheaval in Syria?

Which countries win, which lose from the upheaval in Syria?

The collapse of the Assad regime in Syria has direct consequences for several countries. DW takes a closer look.
PoliticsDecember 18, 202402:57 min
Saudi Arabia fans in Riyadh celebrate the news of the 2034 World Cup

2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia: What to expect

2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia: What to expect

The men's football 2034 World Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia. What do we know about the tournament?
SportsDecember 17, 2024
Italian drought in Sicily impacted farmer

Can the UN COP16 summit help stop Earth's land drying out?

Can the UN COP16 summit help stop Earth's land drying out?

Nations have been gathered in Saudia Arabia to discuss how to tackle desertification, land degradation and drought.
Nature and EnvironmentDecember 12, 2024
Gianni Infantino poses with the Club World Cup trophy

FIFA's Club World Cup TV deal: Saudis pulling strings?

FIFA's Club World Cup TV deal: Saudis pulling strings?

Despite widespread skepticism, the Club World Cup still fetched still fetched $1 billion in TV rights. But how?
SportsDecember 12, 2024
Sheikh Tamim, Gianni Infantino and Mohammed bin Salman im the Al-Bayt-Stadium

World Cup 2034: Saudi Arabia's human rights failures ignored

World Cup 2034: Saudi Arabia's human rights failures ignored

Saudi Arabia will stage the 2034 men's football World Cup — despite its poor human rights and free speech record.
SportsDecember 11, 2024
Iga Swiatek serves during a match at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia: Women's sport in focus after latest HRW report

Saudi Arabia: Women's sport in focus after latest HRW report

A new Human Rights Watch report shows how Saudi Arabia is using sports to paper over links to human rights abuses.
SportsNovember 21, 2024
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

Two men sitting on chairs and the Iranian and Saudi flags

Iran and Saudi Arabia pursue cautious rapprochement

After decades of rivalry, Iran and Saudi Arabia have understood that it is in their interest to normalize relations.
ConflictsNovember 10, 2024
France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) speaks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as they arrive for the family picture during an EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Brussels on October 16, 2024.

EU, Gulf states seek give and take on Ukraine, Middle East

EU states wanted tougher language on Russia, while Gulf countries sought stronger words on Israel and the Middle East.
PoliticsOctober 16, 2024
An illustration showing a stream of US dollars being dropepd into a funnel and exiting the bottom as Chinese yuan

Dedollarization: How the West boosts China's yuan

Sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine war have spurred record trade in China's currency, but could it usurp the dollar?
TradeSeptember 12, 2024
People protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Amman, Jordan.

Arab nations in Hamas-Israel conflict: What you need to know

Some have quiet-but-close relationships with Israel, while others host Iran-backed groups opposed to the US and Israel.
ConflictsAugust 5, 2024
Members of the activist group CodePink hold a poster that states Stop Saudi Executions

Saudi Arabia: Executions rise despite pledge to human rights

Human rights observers have recorded a 42% increase in executions, despite the kingdom's claims to modernization.
Human RightsJuly 21, 2024
An artists version of The Line, a skyscraper city planned in Saudi Arabia.

Are Saudi Arabia's plans for a non-oil future too grand?

Ski slopes in a desert and a city of mirrored skyscrapers: Recent events suggest the Saudis can't afford Vision 2030.
BusinessJune 24, 2024
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