There is something deeply unsettling about watching geopolitical escalation unfold and then realizing it intersects directly with institutions you once trusted. I am not going to name the college I graduated from. That is not the point. The point is this: if a university operates a campus in Riyadh, and Iran is actively retaliating againstContinue reading “Universities Need to Rethink Riyadh Campuses in a Region on Edge”
Tag Archives: saudi arabia
Concerns Over Educational Expansion in Saudi Arabia: The Safety and Ethical Implications
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly prominent player on the global stage. As part of its ambitious Vision 2030 plan, the Kingdom has been diversifying its economy and investing in various sectors, including education. The expansion of international universities into the country is a key part of this initiative. While the ideaContinue reading “Concerns Over Educational Expansion in Saudi Arabia: The Safety and Ethical Implications”
The Riyadh Comedy Festival 2025: The Hidden Power of Exposure in a Controlled Environment
Intro In the weeks following the Riyadh Comedy Festival, much of the conversation has been dominated by accusations of “artwashing” and how the event has been used by the Saudi government to improve its global image. Critics point to the state’s history of human rights abuses, particularly against LGBTQ+ individuals, and question whether itâs ethicalContinue reading “The Riyadh Comedy Festival 2025: The Hidden Power of Exposure in a Controlled Environment”
The Riyadh Comedy Festival and the Possibility of a Silver Lining
In 2025, the Riyadh Comedy Festival made headlines across the world â and not for the reasons comedy usually does. What shouldâve been a celebration of laughter, creativity, and cross-cultural performance quickly turned into a firestorm of criticism. Western audiences condemned it as propaganda, activists called it state-sponsored whitewashing, and comedians who chose to performContinue reading “The Riyadh Comedy Festival and the Possibility of a Silver Lining”