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Saudi Arabia—a social tinderbox

By Jean Shaoul, July 2, 2012

No less than in any of the other countries in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is a social tinderbox.

Report exposes brutality of Saudi Arabian regime

By Niall Green, December 5, 2011

A report by human rights organization Amnesty International records the wave of repression unleashed by Saudi authorities in response to the “Arab Spring” uprisings.

Saudi Arabia plays key role in US anti-Iranian alliance

By Jean Shaoul, November 14, 2011

Saudi Arabia is playing a key role in seeking to destabilise the regime in Iran.

Saudi Arabia cracks down on protesters

By Niall Green, October 6, 2011

An angry protest broke out in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province in response to police kidnappings.

German arms to Saudi Arabia

By Dietmar Henning, July 16, 2011

The German government tank deal with Saudi Arabia is part of an arms race between all the leading industrial nations for influence in this oil-rich region.

Saudi Arabia bans maids from Indonesia and the Philippines

By Joseph Santolan, July 6, 2011

The ban follows limited criticism by Jakarta over the beheading of an Indonesian maid working in Saudi Arabia who was found guilty of killing her abusive Saudi employer.

Journalist Robert Fisk faces libel action for pointing out Bahrain-Saudi alliance

By Jean Shaoul, June 27, 2011

On June 14, Bahrain, the tiny island kingdom in the Persian Gulf off the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, announced that it is to sue the Independent newspaper for libel over an article written by its veteran Middle East correspondent, Robert Fisk.

US State Department human rights reports

Gulf allies: A record of repression and torture

Part 1: Saudi Arabia

By Kate Randall, April 20, 2011

The US State Department recently released its “2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.” This year’s annual report provides details on human rights conditions in over 190 countries. Included are reports on the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which represents the US-backed monarchies of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.

Saudi protests against Bahrain invasion, repression

By Bill Van Auken, April 16, 2011

Hundreds protested in Saudi Arabia Friday demanding an end to the Saudi occupation of Bahrain and the release of the dictatorial kingdom’s political prisoners.

Massive police mobilisation stifles “Day of Rage” protests in Saudi Arabia

By Chris Marsden, March 12, 2011

Massive numbers of police succeeded in intimidating anyone seeking to join protests urged by Saudi Arabian dissident groups after the Muslim Friday prayers in cities including the capital Riyadh.

Class struggle emerges in Saudi Arabia

By Harvey Thompson, February 25, 2011

Over 600 construction workers employed by a major company on a project expanding the northern courtyard of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, are on strike.

Saudi Arabia backs US campaign against Iran

By Sahand Avedis, June 21, 2010

Reports that Saudi Arabia may allow Israeli jets to travel through its airspace to attack Iran are the latest development in escalating regional tensions between Iran and the US-backed Saudi monarchy.