Saudi Arabia

On October 25, 2022, Saudi Arabia announced ambitious plans for Neom, a futuristic megacity that is intended to be powered entirely by renewable energy and situated along the Red Sea coast. The $500 billion project is envisioned as a central part of the Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil. The city is set to incorporate smart city technologies and innovation in sustainability, aiming to attract international investment and technological expertise. Neom is projected as a hub for tourism, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

On February 2, 2021, Saudi Arabia and Qatar officially restored diplomatic relations after a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit agreement to end a years-long rift. In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt, had severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and being too close to Iran. The agreement to restore ties was seen as a significant breakthrough towards unity and stability in the Gulf region, with both countries opening their airspace and borders to each other again.

On November 21, 2020, Saudi Arabia hosted the G20 summit, making it the first time an Arab country had ever hosted the annual gathering of world leaders from the Group of Twenty major economies. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the summit was held virtually. The discussions focused on global efforts to tackle the pandemic and support international economic recovery, with pledges made towards equitable access to vaccines and financial support for affected countries.

On June 30, 2020, Saudi Arabia announced major legal reforms, including the elimination of the death penalty for individuals convicted of crimes committed while they were minors. This announcement was part of the broader human rights improvements promised by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman under Vision 2030. The reform was praised by international human rights organizations as a positive step, suggesting progress in Saudi Arabia's legal system and its adherence to international human rights standards.

On September 14, 2019, two major oil facilities of Saudi Aramco, the Abqaiq and Khurais oil fields, were attacked by drones. The attack led to a significant disruption in Saudi oil production, cutting output by about half, which was approximately 5% of the global oil supply. The Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility, but the U.S. and Saudi Arabia blamed Iran. The incident escalated tensions in the Gulf region and highlighted vulnerabilities in the security of Saudi Arabia's critical infrastructure.

On October 2, 2018, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government and columnist for The Washington Post, entered the consulate to obtain marriage documents but never emerged. The Saudi government initially denied involvement but later admitted that Khashoggi was killed in a premeditated operation. The incident drew widespread international condemnation and scrutiny over Saudi Arabia's human rights record.

On June 24, 2018, Saudi Arabia officially lifted its ban on women drivers. The move was part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 plan to revitalize the country's economy and modernize society. The decision marked a significant step towards gender equality, allowing women greater freedom and participation in the workforce. Women began driving on the streets of Saudi Arabia as soon as the ban was lifted, and this reform was celebrated both domestically and internationally as a major victory for women's rights activists who had long been fighting for the change.

On September 26, 2017, Saudi Arabia announced that women would be allowed into sports stadiums for the first time starting in 2018. This decision was part of a series of social reforms spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of the Vision 2030 plan. Prior to this announcement, women were not allowed to attend public sporting events. The move was seen as a significant step toward gender equality in the kingdom, allowing women to participate more fully in public life.

On June 21, 2017, King Salman of Saudi Arabia named his son, Mohammed bin Salman, as the new crown prince, replacing Mohammed bin Nayef. This appointment consolidated a significant amount of power in Mohammed bin Salman's hands, as he also served as the Minister of Defense and was the architect of the Vision 2030 initiative to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil. The reshuffle was seen as a strategic move to advance economic and social reforms within the kingdom and position Mohammed bin Salman as the future king.

On March 26, 2015, Saudi Arabia launched a military intervention in Yemen, leading a coalition of countries in support of the Yemeni government against the Houthi insurgency. Dubbed 'Operation Decisive Storm,' the military campaign aimed to restore the internationally recognized government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi after the Houthis, a Shiite group with ties to Iran, seized control of the capital, Sanaa. The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with widespread civilian casualties and displacement.