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Middle East Monitor
 

Rick Zand

Rick is a teacher and writer who lived in Saudi Arabia from 2013-2022. He witnessed social change as well as economic diversification endeavours during his time working for Aramco. He has published articles for PBS/ Frontline’s Tehran Bureau and various other news outlets and journals. He holds a BA in English from the University of Colorado and an MA in Human Rights and Global Ethics from the University of Leicester.

 

Items by Rick Zand

  • Incursions into Nur Shams refugee camp signal that the West Bank is Israel’s next open-air prison

    On 1 July, an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) vehicle exploded in Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank, killing one occupying soldier and seriously wounding a commander in the commando unit. The explosive detonated just after the vehicle turned down a narrow street. According to Israeli media, resistance forces...

  • What investing in sports really means to Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has led its sport spending spree into another year. After a robust 2022 with the launch of LIV Golf and the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo for Riyadh-based Al-Nassr Football Club, the Gulf giant is already said to be making moves to buy World...

  • Is MBS quietly overcoming the stain of Khashoggi’s murder?

    When Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (aka MBS), the de-facto ruler of the largest Gulf country, was accused of ordering the brutal 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, his ambitious plans to revolutionise his nation’s economy faced collapse. MBS had gained momentum the previous year by touring the US with his entourage, he booked the entire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. He dined with...