U.S. lobbyists on Saudi Arabia’s payroll gave more than $2.3 million to political campaigns as they mounted a massive influence operation.
Saudi Arabia articles on Democracy Chronicles
News about the struggle for democracy in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is not a functioning democracy. According to Freedom House, "political parties are forbidden, and organized political opposition exists only outside the country". Also see our articles on the Middle East and religion - a touchy subject for the Saudi royals.
Fiancée of Jamal Khashoggi Calls on Saudis to Hand Over His Body
The fiancée of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi says Saudi authorities know where Khashoggi’s body is and called on them to reveal its whereabouts.
Saudi Arabia Urged To Halt Six Imminent Executions
U.N human rights experts called on Saudi Arabia to halt the imminent execution of six men sentenced to death for activities related to the 2011 Arab Spring.
Gabon Dictator Has Stroke In Saudi Arabia, Sources Say
Gabon’s President Ali Bongo was hospitalized last week in Saudi Arabia after suffering a stroke,but Gabonese authorities says it was just a fatigue.
Leading Journalists Demand Justice For Jamal Khashoggi
Leading journalists from around the world pay tribute to Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi Arabian journalist murdered in Istanbul this month.
Son of Jamal Khashoggi Arrives in US From Saudi Arabia
A U.S. news report says Salah bin Jamal Khashoggi, son of the Saudi journalist slain in Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, has arrived the United States.
Late Saudi Writer Khashoggi Supported Arab Spring, Free Speech
VOA recalls interview with Khashoggi in August where he expressed his views on democracy and many other regional issues and problems in Egypt and Libya.
Read Khashoggi’s Last Column: Arab World Needs Free Expression
Khashoggi’s last column warns that governments in the Middle East “have been given free rein to continue silencing the media at an increasing rate.”
PODCAST: Trump, Saudi Arabia, and the Petrodollar
Update on the crumbling petrodollar system breaking down the recent — and unprecedented — events surrounding the U.S.-Saudi Arabia relationship.
Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder Highlights Growing Threat to Journalists
Forty-eight journalists have been killed so far this year, according to a VOA tally, adding to the thousand killed in the past decade-and-half.