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Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College to Become National Defense University

The Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College boasts a rich history dating back to 1958 - SPA
The Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College boasts a rich history dating back to 1958 - SPA
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Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College to Become National Defense University

The Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College boasts a rich history dating back to 1958 - SPA
The Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College boasts a rich history dating back to 1958 - SPA

The Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College is undergoing a significant transformation to become the National Defense University, SPA reported.
The transformation process follows a well-defined, scientific methodology that aligns with the ministry's strategic goals. It encompasses five key stages: establishing the groundwork for change within the college, conducting a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, benchmarking against leading international models, designing the university's structure and programs, and preparing for its operational launch.
The official launch of the new name, National Defense University, is expected soon. The university's vision is to become a preeminent regional institution by 2030, renowned for preparing and qualifying both military and civilian leaders in the field of defense and national security. It will achieve this vision through innovative and effective educational programs designed to serve the best interests of the Kingdom.

- A Legacy of Excellence in Military Education

The Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College boasts a rich history dating back to 1958, when it was established as "the institute of great officers". Its mission was to train and qualify Saudi Arabian Army officers for command and staff duties. Over the years, the institute underwent several name changes: "the institute of senior officers" and "the Saudi command and staff college", reflecting its evolving role and expanding scope.

A pivotal moment arrived in 1388 AH with the issuance of a Royal Decree that transformed the college into a more comprehensive institution: "the Saudi command and staff college". This change addressed the growing need for highly qualified officers with strong leadership skills and advanced planning capabilities.
The college's journey of continuous improvement included renaming to Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College and relocating to a new campus in Al-Uyaynah, in 1405 AH. This modern facility, featuring a command building, educational facilities, war exercise centers, a printing press, housing units, and dedicated student and staff services, is testimony to the commitment to providing a world-class learning environment.
Further advancements followed in 1430 AH with the establishment of the War Wing, dedicated to training officers strategically and operationally.
Recognizing the value of research and strategic studies, the college inaugurated the Armed Forces Strategic Studies Center in 1436 AH.

- Pioneering Institution with a Global Reach

For over six decades, the Armed Forces Command and Staff College has played a pivotal role in shaping military thought in Saudi Arabia, under the motto "Science, Thought, Planning". It has provided military education and training to a distinguished group of officers from the Saudi Armed Forces, other military and security sectors, and from other nations.
The college offers a diverse range of academic programs, including master's degrees in strategic studies and military sciences, a course in joint operations planning, and diplomas in critical areas such as national security, strategic leadership, military media, and international humanitarian law.
The college's transformation into the National Defense University marks a new chapter in its history of dedication to excellence. It enables the institution to continue serving the Kingdom's national security needs well into the future.

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Culture

Top Prosecutor: Louvre Heist Probe Still Aims to Recover Jewelry

FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
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Top Prosecutor: Louvre Heist Probe Still Aims to Recover Jewelry

FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

French investigators remain determined to find the imperial jewels stolen from the Louvre in October, a prosecutor has told AFP.

Police believe they have arrested all four thieves who carried out the brazen October 19 robbery, making off with jewelry worth an estimated $102 million from the world-famous museum.

"The interrogations have not produced any new investigative elements," top Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said this week, three months after the broad-daylight heist.

But the case remains a top priority, she underlined.

"Our main objective is still to recover the jewelry," she said.

That Sunday morning in October, thieves parked a mover's truck with an extendable ladder below the Louvre's Apollo Gallery housing the French crown jewels.

Two of the thieves climbed up the ladder, broke a window and used angle grinders to cut glass display booths containing the treasures, while the other two waited below, investigators say.

The four then fled on high-powered motor scooters, dropping a diamond-and-emerald crown in their hurry.

But eight other items of jewelry -- including an emerald-and-diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise -- remain at large.

Beccuau said investigators were keeping an open mind as to where the loot might be.

"We don't have any signals indicating that the jewelry is likely to have crossed the border," she said, though she added: "Anything is possible."

Detectives benefitted from contacts with "intermediaries in the art world, including internationally" as they pursued their probe.

"They have ways of receiving warning signals about networks of receivers of stolen goods, including abroad," Beccuau said.

As for anyone coming forward to hand over the jewels, that would be considered to be "active repentance, which could be taken into consideration" later during a trial, she said.

A fifth suspect, a 38-year-old woman who is the partner of one of the men, has been charged with being an accomplice but was released under judicial supervision pending a trial.

Investigators still had no idea if someone had ordered the theft.

"We refuse to have any preconceived notions about what might have led the individuals concerned to commit this theft," the prosecutor said.

But she said detectives and investigating magistrates were resolute.

"We haven't said our last word. It will take as long as it takes," she said.

Culture

Desert X AlUla Unveils Acclaimed Lineup of Saudi and Global Artists in 2026 Edition

Mohammad AlFaraj's artwork at Desert X AlUla 2026 (Courtesy of Lance Gerber)
Mohammad AlFaraj's artwork at Desert X AlUla 2026 (Courtesy of Lance Gerber)
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Desert X AlUla Unveils Acclaimed Lineup of Saudi and Global Artists in 2026 Edition

Mohammad AlFaraj's artwork at Desert X AlUla 2026 (Courtesy of Lance Gerber)
Mohammad AlFaraj's artwork at Desert X AlUla 2026 (Courtesy of Lance Gerber)

Arts AlUla has announced the lineup of Saudi and international artists participating in the fourth edition of Desert X AlUla, the international open-air art exhibition held in collaboration with Desert X.

 

Running from January 16 to February 28, the exhibition will feature an exceptional selection of specially commissioned artworks, ranging from large-scale installations and sound pieces that stretch across and beneath the desert landscape, to kinetic works and immersive interactive experiences.

 

The showcase reflects a deep connection to AlUla’s unique environment, its dramatic natural landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.

 

Desert X AlUla, the region’s first public art biennial, will feature 11 artists presenting diverse perspectives, materials, and artistic traditions in their large-scale works in its 2026 edition.

 

The program offers a delightful mix of performances and interactive family activities, alongside dedicated programs that blend sound, movement, storytelling, and play.

 

Also, the visitor pavilion will host a live music program curated in collaboration with AlUla Music Hub, creating moments where art, nature, and community converge in a shared experience shaped by rhythm and a strong sense of place.

 

Arts AlUla confirmed that Desert X AlUla 2026 will be open to the public.

Culture

Saudi Heritage Commission Announces Discovery of 20 Rock Engravings in Soudah Peaks Project

The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)
The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)
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Saudi Heritage Commission Announces Discovery of 20 Rock Engravings in Soudah Peaks Project

The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)
The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission, in collaboration with Soudah Development, a Public Investment Fund company, announced on Tuesday the discovery of 20 ancient rock art sites within the Soudah Peaks area.

Spanning more than 636.5 square kilometers across Soudah and parts of Rijal Almaa, the project area is now recognized as home to some of the region’s oldest cultural landmarks. The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old, offering valuable insights into the region’s rich history.

The findings include Thamudic inscriptions, along with vivid depictions of ibex, hyenas, and ostriches, as well as scenes of hunters, dancers, palm trees, and weapons, reflecting the environmental and social practices of the ancient communities that once inhabited the area.

The survey forms part of a memorandum of understanding signed between the Heritage Commission and Soudah Development. Conducted in four scientific phases, the initiative began with data collection and site analysis, concluding with the documentation and classification of high-value archaeological sites in preparation for future development and preservation efforts.

Soudah Development remains committed to protecting and promoting the natural and cultural heritage of the project area. The company continues to work towards creating an integrated cultural and tourism experience that reflects the authenticity and historical richness of the region, in line with its vision to transform Soudah Peaks into a premier luxury mountain destination rooted in heritage.