archive

Thursday, May 16, 2013

The Two-Way

Twitter Users Risk Damnation, Saudi Religious Police Say

In January, this Saudi man in Riyadh had Twitter open on his computer.

May 16, 2013 Sheikh Abdul Latif Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh said anyone using social media sites — and especially Twitter — "has lost this world and his afterlife." Many Saudis have turned to social media sites for news and to discuss issues they might otherwise not be able to bring up.

Summary

Thursday, May 02, 2013

Shots - Health News

Outbreak Of New SARS-Like Virus Kills 5 In Saudi Arabia

The new coronavirus uses spikes on its surfaces to infect cells.

May 2, 2013 A new virus that causes severe pneumonia and sometimes kidney failure has infected more people. Since the virus first appeared in March 2012, it has infected 24 people, including 17 deaths.

Summary

Sunday, April 28, 2013

The Two-Way

The Challenges Of Making A Film In Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia film director Haifaa Al-Mansour (right) receives the award of best film for her movie Wadjda at Dubai International Film Festival in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 16, 2012.

April 28, 2013 The film about a girl and her desire to ride a bike has been well received internationally. But few Saudis have seen it because the country does not permit movie theaters.

Summary

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

The Two-Way

Air Base In Saudi Arabia Is Latest Drone Secret To Be Revealed

John Brennan, President Obama's nominee to be the next CIA director, worked closely with Saudi Arabia to set up a secret U.S. drone base there, The New York Times reported. Brennan's confirmation hearing is Thursday.

February 6, 2013 The Obama administration wanted to keep the existence of the base secret. It has been used to target al-Qaida members in Yemen.

Summary

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

The Two-Way

Guilty Plea In Plot To Murder Saudi Ambassador

Manssor Arbabsiar (front, right) in court last October.

October 17, 2012 Manssor Arbabsiar, an Iranian-born naturalized American citizen, has admitted conspiring with Iranian officials, the Justice Department says. Iranian officials have accused the U.S. of fabricating the plot.

Summary

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

The Two-Way

Women Erased From IKEA's Saudi Catalog; Company Apologizes

She's gone: One example of how women disappeared from IKEA's catalog. In the U.S. version, she's standing at a sink. In the Saudi version, she's missing.

October 2, 2012 Compare the U.S. and Saudi catalogs. All the same stuff is for sale. But you won't find women in one.

Summary

Friday, April 27, 2012

The Two-Way

Almost One Year After Bin Laden's Death, Pakistan Deports His Family

Pakistani policemen escort a minivan carrying family members of slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, in Islamabad, earlier today.

April 27, 2012 Next Wednesday marks one year since U.S. Navy SEALs raided Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and killed the al-Qaida leader. His three wives, children and grandchildren have been sent to Saudi Arabia.

Summary

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

The Two-Way

Gulf Arab Nations Recall Ambassadors From Syria, Expel Syrian Diplomats

February 7, 2012 The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, has been pressing for an end to attacks on peaceful protesters in Syria.

Summary

Thursday, December 29, 2011

The Two-Way

Iran Much In Mind As U.S. Wraps Up $30B Sale Of Fighters To Saudi Arabia

December 29, 2011 America and its allies are looking to further isolate and pressure Iran so long as that Persian nation continues to be a threat to others in the region.

Summary

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Two-Way

Plot Was 'Directed By Individuals In The Iranian Government,' Obama Says

October 13, 2011 "We know," the president said today, that "there are individuals in the Iranian government who were aware" of a plan to kill the Saudi ambassador to the United States.

Summary

The Two-Way

Alleged Iran Plot Is More 'Caper Novel' Than Spy Novel

The suspect: Manssor Arbabsiar (front, right) appearing in court Tuesday.

October 13, 2011 "That's not to say it didn't happen," spy novelist and Washington Post foreign policy columnist David Ignatius says. But what's been said about the plan strikes him and others as "unusual and sloppy" tradecraft.

Summary

ListenPlaylist

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Two-Way

Clinton's Condemns 'Dangerous Escalation,' Iran Slams 'Baseless Claims'

October 12, 2011 As the U.S. continues to lay out its case about a plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., Iran continues to deny any official involvement.

Summary

The Two-Way

Alleged Terror Plot: 'Brazen And Bizarre'

This courtroom drawing shows Manssor Arbabsiar (front, right), appearing before U.S. Southern District Court Judge Michael H. Dolinger on Tuesday.

October 12, 2011 If two Iranians, possibly with the support of some in Iran's government, did try to hire Mexican drug cartel members to kill Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the U.S., it's a bold and ominous development, analysts say.

Summary

ListenPlaylist

Friday, June 17, 2011

The Two-Way

Saudi Women Get Behind The Wheel, Renew Protest Of Driving Ban

Manal al-Sharif, some supporters say, is Saudi Arabia's Rosa Parks.

June 17, 2011 Some Saudi women are again protesting against the ban on driving while female. And they're telling their tales on Twitter.

Summary

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Blog Of The Nation

June 7th: What's On Today's Show

In our first hour, we'll explore a recent study that examines why most childhood memories vanish,  and why others stick.

June 7, 2011 In the first hour of Talk of the Nation, U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia, and why most childhood memories vanish. In the second hour, the latest in advances in the treatment of cancer.

Summary

NPR thanks our sponsors

Become an NPR Sponsor

Podcast + RSS Feeds

Podcast RSS

  • Saudi Arabia