Saudi Arabia
Predictions
- UK sanctions will somewhat raise reputational risks but Western powers will continue to ensure penalties over rights abuses remain largely symbolic
- Commitment to infrastructural projects means Riyadh will remain keen to secure foreign investment, limiting likelihood of retaliation against UK
- Austerity measures and online dissent will persist as economic recovery will likely be protracted despite anticipated modest rise in oil prices
Event
The UK sanctioned 20 Saudi nationals on 6 July, including former royal advisor Saud al-Qahtani, over their involvement in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey in 2018. The next day however, the UK ended a moratorium on arms sales to the Kingdom, having suspended shipments last year due to humanitarian concerns over the conflict in Yemen.
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