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How a writer's disappearance could damage economic relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia

Oct 15, 2018
The disappearance of a Saudi columnist for the Washington Post has erupted into a diplomatic dispute, and potentially an economic one. President Donald Trump said Saudi Arabia could face “severe punishment” if the government is shown to have been involved in Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance. Sanctions could be one form of punishment, to which the Saudi […]
Jamal Khashoggi looks on during a press conference in the Bahraini capital Manama, on Dec.15, 2014.
MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images

Congress weighs changes to foreign investment oversight

May 21, 2018
The Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act is likely headed for a vote in the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday.
The flag of the People's Republic of China hangs next to an American flag in New York.
Chris Hondros/Getty Images

First Saudi cinema means a short drive to watch the big screen, not a long flight

Apr 18, 2018
AMC's boss explains what to expect as Saudi Arabia opens its first cinema.
A Saudi man poses for a photograph during a cinema test screening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 
FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images

How the end of Saudi Arabia's cinema ban could open the door for female filmmakers

Dec 13, 2017
Filmmaker Hajar al-Naim explains what the lift could mean for women and talks about the the first time she entered a movie theater.
Filmmaker Hajar al-Naim at the 14th Dubai International Film Festival.
Abdullah Aljohany

Saudi Arabia lifts ban on movie theaters

Dec 11, 2017
The announcement, made today, ends a ban that dates back to the 1980s. Saudis will be able to go out to the movies as soon as next year. It’s all part of a push by the Saudi royal family to diversify the economy away from oil.

What the corruption arrests in Saudia Arabia mean for the economy

Nov 6, 2017
How will it affect efforts to modernize the country? Bloomberg investigative reporter Peter Waldman discusses it with us.
Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman, second from left, arrested  more than 60 people over the weekend.
Jonathan Ernst - Pool/Getty Images

Mnuchin heads to Middle East focused on disrupting terrorist financing

Oct 25, 2017
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks in Saudi Arabia today at the launch of what’s being called the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center. Mnuchin’s leading a weeklong delegation to the Middle East to meet with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar to talk about ways to combat terrorist financing.  Click the audio player above to hear […]

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Expect to see more foreign investment in US infrastructure

Jun 9, 2017
A Saudi announcement of $20 billion to invest in US infrastructure could be just the beginning of more overseas money for domestic projects.
Morning commuters travel the 210 freeway between Los Angeles and cities to the east near Pasadena.
David McNew/Getty Images

5 Mideast countries cut ties with Qatar

Jun 5, 2017
Simon Henderson of The Washington Institute says a major political crisis could affect the supply and price of oil.
Some nations are cutting off air and sea traffic with Qatar, above.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Weekly Wrap: What will happen to Trump's economic agenda?

May 19, 2017
Rachel Abrams of the New York Times and Sudeep Reddy of Politico join us to discuss the week’s business and economic news. This week, they talk about how the latest revelations from the White House will affect Donald Trump’s economic agenda ahead of his trip to Saudi Arabia. Plus, with the controversies surrounding Trump and former […]
President Trump arrives for a press conference in the East Room of the White House.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images