Yesterday

Omission accomplished: why the Iran-war cycle spins on

From impasse in Iran to still-unresolved conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, a trend is clear: President Donald Trump’s scant, early plans for peace do not actually forge a path to it. Our correspondent says that in the driverless-car future, it will often be Chinese AI behind the whe ... Show More

25m 39s

Jul 30

Working memory: the surprising decline of dementia

A dive into the data reveals that, despite dire past predictions, the prevalence of dementia is actually waning. We take a look at Pix, a beloved Brazilian digital-payments system, and why it so bothers President Donald Trump. And we attend one of the concerts that reveals how th ... Show More

25m 8s

Jul 29

Brave New whirl: Turkey’s opposition overhaul

An ousted former opposition leader started a new party—called the New Party. We assess its chances at the ballot box, and under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s thumb. A surrogacy scandal in Germany has prompted a government reshuffle, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz left holding ... Show More

20m 27s

Oct 2025

Dune raider: Saudi is a video-game superpower

Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, is a huge video-game fan. Now his hobby is becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry for the kingdom, which is acquiring some of the world’s biggest gaming firms. How Finnish icebreakers became a focus for polar power politics. And ... Show More

19m 57s

Jun 2025

Esports World Cup's Faisal Bin Homran takes us inside Saudi Arabia's esports ambitions

Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, is at the forefront of a growing esports movement in Saudi Arabia and globally. In the ever-evolving world of gaming, Saudi Arabia is emerging as a major player, actively positioning itself as a global ... Show More

46m 49s

Aug 2023

In the big leagues now: Saudi Arabia’s push into sport

<p>Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman says a presence in <a href="https://www.economist.com/briefing/2023/08/10/saudi-arabia-is-spending-a-fortune-on-sport?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_ ... Show More

24m 44s

Aug 2024

Mohammed bin Salman: The unstoppable prince?

After ruthlessly outmanoeuvring hundreds of rivals, Mohammed bin Salman has become the most powerful man in Saudi Arabia. The crown prince believes his sweeping vision for the country will bring in investment, top flight sport and visitors from around the world. His only demand i ... Show More

28m 51s

Jun 2023

Golf, soccer, F1: Saudi Arabia's big sports bet

If you're a sports fan, you may have noticed Saudi Arabia making billions of dollars of investments in everything from Formula 1 to professional tennis. In two high profile moves, the Saudis backed the merger of LIV Golf with the PGA tour earlier this month, and recruited soccer ... Show More

28m 32s

Mar 2025

Why did Saudi Arabia capture Pokémon Go?

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has agreed to pay $3.5 billion to buy the gaming division of Niantic, the Pokémon Go publisher. It’s the latest in a string of entertainment and gaming investments by the PIF. BBC tech reporter Tom Gerken tells us why the Saudi government is ... Show More

13m 11s

Oct 2022

UAE, Gulf approaches to cryptocurrency, metaverse are testament to future planning, says Salim Essaid

Al-Monitor’s Business Correspondent Salim Essaid discusses Saudi Arabia’s investments in esports; trends in cryptocurrency markets in the Gulf; AI governance in the UAE; the region’s evolution as a hub in global climate policy, and Al-Monitor’s Pro coverage.Saudi esports success ... Show More

21m 25s

Feb 2020

Game On: The Case For Pure-Play eSports Exposure

On the heels of the Super Bowl, Let's Talk ETFs takes an in-depth look at the world of competitive gaming and the burgeoning entertainment complex sprouting up around it. Known collectively as "eSports", this growing phenomenon already has a huge following in China and South Kore ... Show More

59m 22s

Sep 2025

Trump Plaza Jeddah, EA $55B Deal, Jordan Investor Citizenship

HEADLINES:♦ Saudi’s Dar Global to Launch $1 Billion Trump Plaza in Jeddah’s ‘Manhattan’♦ Saudi-Led Consortium to Acquire Gaming Giant Electronic Arts for $55B♦ Jordan Approves Citizenship and Residency for Foreign Investors♦ Trump Unveils Gaza Peace Plan, Economic Measures Highli ... Show More

37m 23s

Dune raider: Saudi is a video-game super...