logo
episode-header-image
Apr 26
43m 13s

Neom, Pt 2: The Emperor’s New Clothes

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL & GIMLET
About this episode

Andy Wirth and Tony Harris moved halfway across the world to help build Neom: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s futuristic new city in the Saudi desert. But what they found wasn’t the desert utopia of Neom’s marketing. Instead, they found a project bleeding cash, led by a screaming CEO, where very little was actually being built


WSJ’s Rory Jones and Eliot Brown explain how Neom fell years behind schedule – and went billions of dollars over-budget – thanks to a culture of runaway spending and never telling the boss “no.” Hosted by Ryan Knutson. 


Further Listening:

- Neom, Pt 1: Skiing in the Desert 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
The Healthcare Costs of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill
President Trump’s megabill cuts over $1 trillion in healthcare spending over the next decade, mainly from Medicaid. Experts project nearly 8.7 million fewer people covered by Medicaid, and hospitals face reduced payments and higher costs. WSJ’s Dominique Mosbergen reports on the ... Show More
20m 47s
Jul 8
Why Trump Pushed His Tariff Deadline
When President Trump paused most of his “Liberation Day” tariffs for 90 days last spring, the administration had hoped to cut dozens of trade deals. As trade advisor Peter Navarro put it, there could be "90 deals in 90 days." But as Trump’s deal deadline approached, it became cle ... Show More
19m 3s
Jul 7
AI Is Coming for Entry-Level Jobs
Artificial intelligence is shaking up business in a big way, and recent college graduates are feeling the pinch. WSJ’s Chip Cutter explores the new corporate philosophy emerging around hiring and explains how the promise of artificial intelligence is putting entry-level jobs on t ... Show More
19m 11s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2024
How did Saudi Arabia land the 2034 World Cup?
Saudi Arabia has been awarded the men's 2034 World Cup.       It will be the crowning event in its sport spending spree, having already reportedly invested £5bn since 2021, as it tries to diversify away from oil.     Niall Paterson is joined by Sky News' Rob Harris and Middle Eas ... Show More
15m 12s
May 12
A Breakthrough on U.S.-China Tariffs, and a New Summer Air Travel Warning
Plus, For Sale: The pope’s childhood home.On Today’s Episode:U.S. and China Agree to Temporarily Slash Tariffs in Bid to Defuse Trade War, by Daisuke Wakabayashi, Alan Rappeport and Ana SwansonFlights Could Be Disrupted Across U.S., Transportation Secretary Warns, by Troy Closson ... Show More
10m 42s
Mar 2025
Lights out at Northvolt
Elon Musk’s efficiency drive failed to prevent US federal spending rising to a record $603bn in February, European battery maker Northvolt has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden, and US inflation fell to 2.8% last month. Plus, China’s plan to revive Africa’s ‘freedom railway’ showcas ... Show More
12m 16s
Jul 2019
Jamal Khashoggi - unanswered questions
There was an international outcry following the murder of journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last year. Saudi officials blamed rogue agents sent to persuade him to return to the kingdom. Frank Gardner reflects on his encounters with Jamal Khashoggi an ... Show More
28m 48s
Aug 2024
Saudi Arabia is keeping it in the kingdom
China’s flagship fund to buy up unsold housing is off to a limp start, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is to prioritise domestic spending. Plus, a growing number of Americans are suffering from tip fatigue.  Mentioned in this podcast:China’s landmark property rescue pla ... Show More
11m 6s
Aug 2022
Tuesday 8/2/22 - Secrets of the Saudi Royal Family
Chief joins the show to talk about all the news coming out of Saudi Arabia. We get into the futuristic city they're building, the LIV Golf event, all the negative news they are trying to cover up, and more. 
44m 18s
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
Sep 2010
BBC Radio 4
There's a dilemma for Jill McGivering, covering the floods in Pakistan; Gabriel Gatehouse in Baghdad on the changing lexicon as America redefines its mission in Iraq; Wyre Davies is in Jerusalem and detects little optimism for the Middle East peace talks which have restarted in W ... Show More
28m 16s
Jul 2022
Doobie Brothers, The Funny Farm, Travel Trauma
Lee Cowan hosts this July 4th weekend edition of "Sunday Morning.” In our cover story, Kris Van Cleave looks at the difficulties facing exasperated travelers this summer. Plus: Major Garrett talks with a woman who had to leave the country in 1962 to get an abortion; Lesley Stahl ... Show More
50m 48s
Jan 2025
Climate change is coming for your Bordeaux
Tesla’s annual vehicle deliveries declined for the first time in more than a decade, and China’s BYD hit a milestone. Crypto chief Do Kwon makes his first US court appearance to face criminal charges. The rerouting of global trade from China to ports elsewhere in Asia is shrinkin ... Show More
11m 37s