logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2015
14m 3s

How stable is Saudi Arabia?

Financial Times
About this episode
Saudi Arabia's new monarch King Salman takes over at a time of unprecedented challenges in the shape of regional chaos as well as a sharply falling oil price. Gideon Rachman is joined by Roula Khalaf and Simeon Kerr to discuss how stable the kingdom is.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Mar 2020
Introducing: The Rachman Review
Life in Europe's coronavirus hotspots: Foreign affairs columnist Gideon Rachman discusses how the coronavirus epidemic has been handled in Italy and Spain with the local FT correspondents, Miles Johnson in Rome and Daniel Dombey in Madrid. How are citizens reacting to the lockdow ... Show More
17m 59s
Aug 2019
Hong Kong protests: what happens next?
In this special episode from Hong Kong, Gideon Rachman talks to Regina Ip, a member of the territory's Executive Council and Legislative Council, and to student activist Joshua Wong about the continuing protests and what happens next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo ... Show More
15m 46s
Jul 2019
Britain's tanker dispute with Iran
What are the factors Britain and its allies need to consider as they weigh their response to Iran's seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz? Barney Jopson discusses the difficult waters Iran and the west must navigate to avoid a further escalation with Andrew ... Show More
12m 13s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2017
Succession shake-up in Saudi Arabia
The elevation of Mohammed bin Salman to crown prince of Saudi Arabia has come during the worst crisis facing the Gulf region in decades. Siona Jenkins spoke to the FT’s deputy editor Roula Khalaf and energy correspondent Anjli Raval to understand how the heir apparent is likely t ... Show More
7m 3s
Feb 2015
Will The New King Change Saudi Arabia?
79-year-old King Salman has taken the Saudi throne, promising security and stability. But what do his past and his first acts as king tell us about how the country might change under his rule and beyond? Our Inquiry hears from a newspaper editor and an ex-spy who have both met hi ... Show More
23m 11s
Nov 2022
82 - Saudi Arabia: A Global Economic Powderkeg
Saudi Arabia is experiencing numerous simultaneous challenges at the moment, ranging from royal infighting, a rearming Yemen, a diverging population, and a growing threat from Iran. Tasked with guiding the Saudis through this storm is MBS, a leader whose track record leaves a bit ... Show More
1h 39m
Sep 2019
Shake-up at the heart of the Saudi oil industry
Saudi Arabia has removed energy minister Khalid al-Falih, one of the most powerful figures in the global oil industry, and replaced him with a member of the royal family, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. Katie Martin discusses the significance of the shake-up and how it relates to th ... Show More
16m 3s
Aug 2015
Saudi Arabia feels impact of low oil prices
Saudi Arabia is considering borrowing money on the local market in order to fund a growing budget deficit caused by the drop in oil prices and its expensive war in Yemen. Fiona Symon talks to Simeon Kerr, FT Gulf correspondent, about the kingdom's options. Hosted on Acast. See ac ... Show More
6m 16s
Oct 2018
Is Saudi Arabia Heading Down a Dangerous Path?
The Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. Amid a welter of speculation and lurid allegations, a cloud of suspicion now hangs over the Saudi Government. The record of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, the Kingdom’s d ... Show More
23m 25s
May 2023
Riyadh and the World: What to Make of Saudi Arabia’s Recent Diplomacy
<p>Saudi Arabia’s diplomacy is flourishing after a decade in which Riyadh has been entangled in regional conflicts and rivalries. Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has turned the page on the Gulf Cooperation Council dispute, opened talks with Huthi rebels in Yemen, agreed to ... Show More
47m 32s
Apr 2023
What is Mohammed bin Salman’s vision for Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia has entered into a new era of relations with its long time rival, Iran. It’s a deal that has the potential to be very significant for the Middle East region. It’s part of a vision of a new Saudi Arabia spearheaded by its Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. It’s a visi ... Show More
24m 11s
Oct 2022
US-Saudi ties at an all-time low
<p>There was outrage in Washington over Saudi Arabia’s decision to back Opec output cuts during a global energy crisis. What was the kingdom’s motive for putting its strategic partnership with the US at risk? As a regular visitor to Saudi Arabia, Emile Hokayem of the Internationa ... Show More
27m 31s