US Study: Saudi Arabia is World’s 9th Most Powerful Country

A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
TT

US Study: Saudi Arabia is World’s 9th Most Powerful Country

A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has ranked as the ninth most powerful country in the world according to a US study published by the Business Insider magazine on Saturday.

The US News and World Report placed the US at the top of the list, followed by Russia, China, Germany and Britain.

The rankings look at a country's political and financial influences, as well as its international and alliances, the strength its military and how it acts as an international leader.

The rankings come as part of US News and World Report's "2019 Best Countries" ranking in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, which surveyed more than 20,000 people on their opinions of 80 countries.

The top ten countries also included France, Japan and South Korea and the United Arab Emirates taking the eleventh spot.



Albudaiwi Condemns Iranian Attack on UAE Tanker in the Strait of Hormuz

UAE flag (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UAE flag (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Albudaiwi Condemns Iranian Attack on UAE Tanker in the Strait of Hormuz

UAE flag (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UAE flag (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi condemned, in the strongest terms, the treacherous attacks that targeted a national carrier affiliated with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) while it was passing through the Strait of Hormuz, SPA reported.

The secretary-general affirmed that the continuation of these brutal Iranian attacks, targeting ships passing through the Strait, constitutes piracy and a serious threat to the security of maritime routes and straits, and represents a flagrant violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, foremost among them resolution No. 2817.

Albudaiwi expressed the GCC’s full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and its support for all measures it takes to preserve its sovereignty, security, and stability.


Saudi Foreign Minister, Egyptian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
TT

Saudi Foreign Minister, Egyptian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call on Monday from Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

During the call they discussed the latest developments in the region and stressed the importance of continuing bilateral coordination and consultation in this regard.


GCC Secretary-General Meets with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
TT

GCC Secretary-General Meets with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met on Sunday with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov at the General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed the strategic relations between the GCC and Central Asian states. They also discussed ways to strengthen GCC-Uzbekistan relations and enhance investment and economic cooperation.

Additionally, they exchanged views on international and regional issues, including developments related to Iran and their implications for regional security, underlining the significance of intensifying joint efforts to enhance stability both regionally and globally.