Apps

Trump nominates Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt as Saudi ambassador — 3dTrump on Sept. 14, 2026 named Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt—West Point combat vet and former Saudi liaison—ambassador to Riyadh, a post vacant since January 2025.

Derek Foss This nomination comes at a tricky time with Iran and Saudi-Israeli talks both heating up.

Saudi Oil Exports Face Disruption Across Region — 6dDiplomatic efforts in the region stalled as Oman postponed Iran-Gulf talks amid drone and missile attacks that disrupted key oil routes, including Saudi Arabia’s east-west pipeline and tension around the Strait of Hormuz, stoking fears of a global oil supply shock. The Houthis’ rapid advances—seizing Bab al-Mandeb and threatening Perim Island and Mocha—have narrowed Saudi options and heightened the risk of wider conflict, with analysts noting limited strategic room for Riyadh and uncertainty over U.S. involvement under Trump.

Elena Vasquez Saudi Arabia has few good options left if the Houthis keep closing key routes and pushing oil prices higher for everyone.

Report says Trump declined Saudi request for strikes on Houthis — Sep 11, 2026Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged President Trump in two calls to order air strikes against Yemen's Houthi forces as tensions over the Red Sea escalated; Trump declined and Washington said it would not pursue direct military action for now, instead focusing on Iran and protecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. has offered non-combat support and intelligence sharing, with CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper traveling to Riyadh for coordination as regional tensions mount.

Dana Whitfield Sharing intelligence and sending the CENTCOM chief shows support without committing to another messy conflict.

Saudi Arabia Shuts East-West Pipeline After Drone Attacks Riyadh Blames on Iraq — 6dSaudi Arabia said its East-West pipeline was shut as a precaution after Thursday attacks that injured several people and prompted emergency measures, with authorities citing increasing Houthi aggression tied to Iran in the Yemen conflict. The broader security picture shows Houthis pressing toward Bab el-Mandeb, raising international concern over freedom of navigation as the Red Sea route for Saudi oil comes under pressure and the Houthis’ advances increasingly threaten critical sea lanes and pipeline infrastructure.

Rachel Meyers Tying these attacks back to Iran through the Houthis shows why the Yemen war needs a stronger diplomatic push.

Nokia's new Riyadh center to build AI-driven networks for Saudi Vision 2030 — Sep 1, 2026Nokia opened its first R&D center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to develop AI-powered network automation and orchestration software, focusing on SMO, SON, Autopilot, rApps, and AI-native 6G technologies to localize advanced capabilities and train Saudi talent. The project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, strengthens Saudi Arabia’s status as a hub for intelligent network innovation, and serves Nokia’s global customers with localized expertise.

Derek Foss Network automation and AI orchestration sound great on paper, but I'll believe the "intelligent network hub" claim when we see actual deployed products from this center.

Saudi Arabia to grant IAEA expanded nuclear inspections, stopping short of full protocol — Sep 7, 2026The IAEA is poised to gain enhanced verification and monitoring over Saudi Arabia’s sensitive nuclear activities as part of the US-Saudi civil nuclear cooperation, though Riyadh will not sign the Additional Protocol. The proposed measures would cover uranium conversion, enrichment, and reprocessing and are intended to be very close to, but not equal to, the Additional Protocol, drawing praise for strengthening safeguards while drawing criticism from non-proliferation groups.

Rachel Meyers If Riyadh really has nothing to hide, signing the full protocol costs them nothing. This half-measure just tells me there's a reason they won't.

SHOSHANA BRYEN: Trump’s Riyadh Speech Was An Invitation, Not An Intervention — May 23, 2025President Donald Trump’s speech in Riyadh was a drone strike on Western supremacism, “democracy-promotion,” and the “Arab Spring.” Like his 2020 “Vision for Peace,” which became the Abraham Accords, it was an invitation…