6 episodes

A Members Exclusive Limited Series from Intelligence Squared. Head to www.intelligencesquared.com/membership to become a member today and listen whenever you get your podcasts.
In recent months it can feel like Saudi Arabia is intent on buying the world. Its Public Investment Fund (PIF) has bought up much of golf, sports teams, many of the globe’s best soccer players to its domestic league, and it owns huge chunks of many of the most famous companies on the planet. But Saudi Arabia is not just on a shopping spree. The once insular, oil rich kingdom is transforming into a major diplomatic player, a pivotal actor in the energy transition, an ever-stronger military power, and a host to high-end cultural events, like the FIFA World Cup in 2034.
It feels like the era of the Saudi Project. And the country will become a bigger part of all of our lives. But what exactly is the kingdom trying to achieve? And will it succeed? This series speaks to world leading experts to go past the headlines and help listeners understand Saudi Arabia and it's ambitions more clearly. Providing unique analysis and insight into the complex moral questions all Western nations will have to answer as they work with a rising Saudi Arabia in the years ahead.

The Saudi Project Intelligence Squared

    • News

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

A Members Exclusive Limited Series from Intelligence Squared. Head to www.intelligencesquared.com/membership to become a member today and listen whenever you get your podcasts.
In recent months it can feel like Saudi Arabia is intent on buying the world. Its Public Investment Fund (PIF) has bought up much of golf, sports teams, many of the globe’s best soccer players to its domestic league, and it owns huge chunks of many of the most famous companies on the planet. But Saudi Arabia is not just on a shopping spree. The once insular, oil rich kingdom is transforming into a major diplomatic player, a pivotal actor in the energy transition, an ever-stronger military power, and a host to high-end cultural events, like the FIFA World Cup in 2034.
It feels like the era of the Saudi Project. And the country will become a bigger part of all of our lives. But what exactly is the kingdom trying to achieve? And will it succeed? This series speaks to world leading experts to go past the headlines and help listeners understand Saudi Arabia and it's ambitions more clearly. Providing unique analysis and insight into the complex moral questions all Western nations will have to answer as they work with a rising Saudi Arabia in the years ahead.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    The Birth of a Nation

    The Birth of a Nation

    Saudi Arabian professor of social anthropology and author of Salman's Legacy: The Dilemmas of a New Era in Saudi Arabia, Madawi Al-Rasheed, explains the foundations of the Saudi state and how two key factors – religion and oil – shaped the kingdom. This episode was hosted and produced by Conor Boyle.
    If you'd like to enjoy all five episodes of The Saudi Project now, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared to get access to all of our longer form interviews and members-only content.
    Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. 
    For £4.99 per month you'll also receive:
    - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts
    - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series
    - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events
    - Our member-only newsletter The Monthly Read, sent straight to your inbox
    ...
    Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99:
    - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts
    - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series
    ...
    Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more
    ...
    Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more.
    https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 16 min
    The Dubai Model

    The Dubai Model

    Quinn Slobodian, author of Crack-Up Capitalism and Professor of History at Wellesley College, discusses how the development of cities like Dubai and countries like Qatar are influencing the Saudi economy and the huge projects the country is spending its money on. This episode was hosted and produced by Conor Boyle.
    If you'd like to enjoy all five episodes of The Saudi Project now, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared to get access to all of our longer form interviews and members-only content.
    Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. 
    For £4.99 per month you'll also receive:
    - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts
    - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series
    - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events
    - Our member-only newsletter The Monthly Read, sent straight to your inbox
    ...
    Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99:
    - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts
    - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series
    ...
    Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more
    ...
    Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more.
    https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 22 min
    Football Mad

    Football Mad

    For episode three of Intelligence Squared's new podcast exploring Saudi Arabia's pursuit of global influence, award winning author and journalist James Montague, who focuses on the intersection of football and politics, explains the eye-watering sums of money Saudi Arabia is spending on sport and why the reasons for this are not as obvious as they might seem.
    Montague has reported from over 80 countries and is the author of books including The Billionaires Club: The Unstoppable Rise of Football's Super-Rich Owners, 1312: Among the Ultras and When Friday Comes: Football, War and Revolution in the Middle East. He writes for publications such as The Guardian, The New York Times and Delayed Gratification. This episode was hosted and produced by Conor Boyle.
    If you'd like to enjoy all five episodes of The Saudi Project now, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared to get access to all of our longer form interviews and members-only content.
    Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.
    For £4.99 per month you'll also receive:
    - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts
    - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series
    - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events
    - Our member-only newsletter The Monthly Read, sent straight to your inbox
    ...
    Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99:
    - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts
    - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series
    ...
    Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more
    ...
    Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more.
    https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    An Unstable Region: Israel, Gaza and Saudi Arabia

    An Unstable Region: Israel, Gaza and Saudi Arabia

    New York Times Gulf Bureau Chief Vivian Nereim discusses how the crisis unfolding in Israel and Gaza is being viewed from Saudi Arabia. She also explores how stability in the region is a core goal of the Saudi regime and why this current crisis could change everything. This episode was hosted and produced by Conor Boyle.

    Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more

    ...

    Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more.

    https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/

    The Prince's Gamble

    The Prince's Gamble

    Author and investigative journalist Bradley Hope sheds light on the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and how he is personally shaping the future of the kingdom. He explores what the rise of Saudi Arabia will mean for the world and how Western countries should approach business with Saudi Arabia in the years ahead. This episode was hosted and produced by Conor Boyle.

    Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more

    ...

    Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more.

    https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/

    Coming Soon: The Saudi Project

    Coming Soon: The Saudi Project

    Coming Soon from Intelligence Squared 'The Saudi Project'
    Saudi Arabia, a once insular, oil rich kingdom is transforming into a major diplomatic player, a pivotal actor in the energy transition, an ever-stronger military power, and a host to high-end cultural events, like the FIFA World Cup in 2034. It feels like the era of the Saudi Project. And the country will become a bigger part of all of our lives. But what exactly is the kingdom trying to achieve? And will it succeed? This series speaks to world leading experts to go past the headlines and help listeners understand Saudi Arabia and it's ambitions more clearly. Providing unique analysis and insight into the complex moral questions all Western nations will have to answer as they work with a rising Saudi Arabia in the years ahead.
    ...
    If you want to receive all episodes of The Saudi Project in one go, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared and you'll also get access to all of our longer form interviews and members-only content.
    Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. 
    For £4.99 per month you'll receive:
    - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts
    - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series, wherever you get your podcasts
    - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events
    - Our member-only newsletter The Monthly Read, sent straight to your inbox

    Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99:
    - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts
    - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series
    ...
    Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 1 min

Top Podcasts In News

بودكاست أريـــكة
Ghmza غمزة
الفجر
ثمانية/thmanyah
Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
بعد أمس
Atheer ~ أثير
تك بلس
Asharq Podcasts | الشرق بودكاست
يستحق الانتباه
BBC Arabic Radio

You Might Also Like

Intelligence Squared
Intelligence Squared
The Inquiry
BBC World Service
The Rest Is History
Goalhanger Podcasts
The Audio Long Read
The Guardian
Empire
Goalhanger Podcasts
The Rachman Review
Financial Times