All Articles with the tag #SaudiArabia

A professional Saudi woman in a modern office, symbolizing the rise of women in the Saudi workforce.

Saudi Women at Work: A New Chapter, But Not the Final One

Saudi women’s workforce participation has surged, yet leadership roles remain largely male-dominated. Is this the start of lasting change, or are women simply filling labor gaps?

Mar 14, 2025

A rugged desert landscape in Saudi Arabia featuring towering cliffs and a winding stone pathway lined with solar-powered streetlights. The scene highlights the integration of renewable energy solutions in remote natural areas.

Green Gold: Saudi Arabia’s Sustainable Pivot

In a study by Dr. Sebastian Sons and Dr. Tobias, Saudi Arabia emerges as a master of green diplomacy. By blending sustainable initiatives with strategic economic diversification, the piece reveals how the Kingdom is reshaping public discourse, energy policy, and global influence. With a mix of wit and seriousness, it asks: can this green pivot truly drive societal transformation beyond the confines of government-led projects?

Feb 25, 2025

An old Saudi Arabian one-riyal banknote displaying Arabic text, an intricate border, and a detailed architectural illustration of a government building. The banknote includes handwritten serial numbers and official signatures.

From Coins to Clicks: Saudi Arabia’s Payroll Shift

For much of the 20th century, salaries in Saudi Arabia were a tangible affair—literally. Workers at Aramco once received their wages in sacks of silver riyals, a practice now preserved in the Aramco Community Heritage Exhibition. These archival images capture a time when financial transactions were physical, and payroll was a manual process, reflecting the Kingdom’s economic transformation.

Feb 21, 2025

An artistic tree with branches symbolizing tradition, modernity, community, and individuality, rooted in desert sand and reaching toward a futuristic skyline.

A Saudi Paradox: The Struggle to Belong at Home

Saudi Arabia’s sweeping reforms have reshaped its economy and infrastructure, but societal attitudes remain a battleground between tradition and modernity. For those who have long hoped for greater openness, the reality is more complex. While change is evident, deeply ingrained norms continue to define who truly 'belongs.' Having returned from Germany as a child, I learned firsthand how cultural expectations shape identity—and how difference is often tolerated rather than embraced.

Feb 4, 2025

A split image showing a Saudi man in traditional attire working on a laptop in a modern home office on the left, and a Saudi woman in a contemporary abaya working with a tablet in her stylish home office on the right. The scene highlights balance, profess

Freelancing in Saudi Arabia: Reinvention or Safety Net?

A decade ago, freelancing in Saudi Arabia was seen as unstable and unconventional. Today, with over 2.25 million freelancers contributing significantly to the economy, it’s reshaping both the labor market and societal perceptions.

Jan 16, 2025

A room symbolizing Saudi-Iranian unity, featuring Saudi coffee pots, Persian rugs, and Islamic geometric patterns with warm ambient lighting.

Yazdanshenas: Bridging Misunderstood Cultures Between Iran and Saudi Arabia

As Saudi Arabia and Iran rebuild diplomatic ties, a new chapter of cultural diplomacy and people-to-people connections emerges. This interview with Assistant Professor Zakiyeh Yazdanshenas explores how shared values, evolving youth norms, and grassroots initiatives are reshaping perceptions and fostering mutual understanding between the two nations.

Jan 7, 2025

The Ithra building in Dhahran, home to cultural and educational spaces, reflecting Saudi Arabia's commitment to knowledge and heritage. (Source: Shutterstock)

Rainer Hermann on How Saudi Arabia is Shaping Its Future

Saudi Arabia’s transformation extends beyond its skylines to its intellectual and cultural dynamics. Rainer Hermann, former Middle East correspondent for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), analyzes how the Kingdom is balancing tradition with modernity and fostering a new era of global engagement in this interview with Saudi Times.

Dec 3, 2024

Désirée Kaiser discusses Saudi Arabia's socio-economic transformations and changing German perspectives.

Inside Saudi Arabia's Transformation: Insights from Middle East Consultant Désirée Kaiser

Désirée Kaiser, an expert in international politics and socio-economic research, offers insights into Saudi Arabia’s modernization and empowerment, highlighting women’s roles and the Kingdom’s ambitious transformation.

Jul 13, 2024

Taif, renowned for its roses, fresh fruits, and rich cultural heritage.

Taif Saudi Arabia’s City of Roses

Perched on the slopes of the Hijaz Mountains, Taif offers a refreshing escape with its fragrant rose farms, lush orchards, and a history steeped in cultural and spiritual significance.

Jun 3, 2023

Saudi Arabia's national dish, chicken kabsa, served with roasted chicken and almonds, also known as mandi.

Kabsa Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Crown Jewel

Kabsa, the crown jewel of Saudi Arabian cuisine, is more than just a dish—it's a cultural icon that embodies hospitality, tradition, and the flavors of the Gulf. This aromatic rice and meat combination has become a staple at celebrations, family gatherings, and even casual dinners, uniting generations with its rich taste and deep-rooted significance.

May 13, 2023

Saudi boys and girls in a modern classroom, guided by a teacher using AI tools for digital lessons on tablets, blending tradition and innovation.

AI in Gulf Classrooms: Bridging the Future of Education

Imagine a classroom where lessons adapt to each student’s needs, powered by artificial intelligence. For Gulf educators, this vision is not just plausible—it’s an urgent necessity to prepare students for the demands of a technology-driven future.

Mar 25, 2023

Map of Saudi Arabia and the world, with Guido Steinberg discussing Middle Eastern politics, Gulf tensions, and the internationalization of Islamist terrorism. (Source: Pexels)

Guido Steinberg on Understanding Islamist Terrorism

Read about the complexities of Saudi Arabia, guided by the expertise of Islamic, Middle East and terrorism researcher Guido Steinberg.

Feb 25, 2023

Book cover of Dr. Mark C. Thompson’s exploration of Saudi Arabia’s societal changes, focusing on shifting gender roles.

Dr. Mark C Thompson Explores Saudi Arabia’s Transition and Shifting Gender Roles

British academic Dr. Mark C Thompson delves into Saudi Arabia’s rapid societal changes, focusing on the overlooked role of young men amid the nation’s shift in gender dynamics, socio-economic pressures, and evolving cultural identity.

May 26, 2022

Historic street in Saudi Arabia with traditional buildings, Arabic signage, and people walking, reflecting cultural heritage and societal transformation. (Source: Shutterstock)

The 1979 Grand Mosque Siege: Uncovering the Roots of Extremism (Part 2)

In 1979, the Grand Mosque siege in Makkah marked a turning point for Saudi society, ushering in an era of conservatism that reshaped cultural norms and lifestyles.

Nov 18, 2019

The Kaaba in Makkah, with a historical reference to the 1979 Makkah Siege, a pivotal moment that shaped Saudi Arabia's modern history. (Source: Shutterstock)

The 1979 Grand Mosque Siege: Uncovering the Roots of Extremism (Part 1)

On 20 November 1979, the Grand Mosque of Makkah was stormed by 300 armed extremists, turning Islam’s holiest site into a fortress and taking thousands of worshippers hostage. The siege shocked Saudi Arabia and the world, becoming a defining moment that reshaped the Kingdom’s approach to extremism and left a lasting impact on religious ideologies.

Nov 17, 2019

A crescent moon and star atop a building, with a hot air balloon in the background, reflecting the intersection of tradition and modernity in the Middle East.

Gudrun Harrer: The Journalist Bridging Austria and the Arab World

Austrian journalist Gudrun Harrer’s writings on the Arab world combine poetic prose with incisive political analysis. Her deep expertise, cultivated over decades, bridges complex geopolitical narratives with accessibility, making her a leading voice on Middle Eastern affairs. In this exclusive interview, Harrer reflects on Saudi Arabia’s reforms, Austria’s perception of the Kingdom, and the enduring challenges of mutual understanding between Europe and the Arab world.

Oct 13, 2019