Share
Foreign Policy
On Wednesday, the Saudis opened their annual confab in Riyadh, officially called the Future Investment Initiative but widely referred to as “Davos in the Desert.” That nickname had always annoyed the people who run the World Economic Forum and its signature event in Davos, Switzerland, because they—like most of the rest of the world that is concerned about protecting their brand—haven’t wanted much to do with Saudi Arabia and its crown prince in recent years.
That trend may be coming to an end, however. Increasingly, things are back to business as usual in Riyadh. A veritable A-list of Wall Street and private equity titans flew in for the event this week. Gone are the days when the leaders of the financial services industry stayed away, fearing the reputational costs of becoming associated with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. The remains of the journalist and onetime courtier to Saudi power centers have yet to be found. But investors have now decided there are deals to be done.
They are making a bet that the stated commitment by human rights organizations, journalists, and a relatively bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers to hold Saudi Arabia accountable doesn’t amount to much—and they may be right.
29 Jan 2021
RELATED TOPICS:
Casey Schmitt’s 1st Career Grand Slam Powers Giants Past Dodgers in Series Opener
14 hours ago
Protests, Parades and Pride: One Week in June 2025 Is Drawing Stark American Fault Lines
19 hours ago
Former State House Speaker, Husband Killed in Politically Targeted Shooting
19 hours ago
Caitlin Clark Returns and Leads Fever to Upset Win Over Unbeaten Liberty
12 hours ago
‘We Will Kill You Dead’: Florida Sheriff’s Stark Warning to Demonstrators
13 hours ago
Casey Schmitt’s 1st Career Grand Slam Powers Giants Past Dodgers in Series Opener
14 hours ago
Protests, Parades and Pride: One Week in June 2025 Is Drawing Stark American Fault Lines
19 hours ago
Former State House Speaker, Husband Killed in Politically Targeted Shooting
19 hours ago
Caitlin Clark Returns and Leads Fever to Upset Win Over Unbeaten Liberty
12 hours ago
‘We Will Kill You Dead’: Florida Sheriff’s Stark Warning to Demonstrators
13 hours ago
Casey Schmitt’s 1st Career Grand Slam Powers Giants Past Dodgers in Series Opener
14 hours ago
Protests, Parades and Pride: One Week in June 2025 Is Drawing Stark American Fault Lines
19 hours ago
Former State House Speaker, Husband Killed in Politically Targeted Shooting
19 hours ago

Military Parade Barrels Through Nation’s Capital With Tanks, Troops and 21-Gun Salute

Authorities Still Searching for Suspect in Shooting of 2 Minnesota State Lawmakers

Caitlin Clark Returns and Leads Fever to Upset Win Over Unbeaten Liberty
