Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Friday, Feb 20, 2026

Global Affairs Overview: Saudi-Japanese Relations, Middle East Tensions, and Humanitarian Efforts Amid Disasters and Cultural Resilience

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulates Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, highlighting strong Saudi-Japanese relations. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden calls for restraint following Iran's missile attack on Israel to prevent broader regional conflict.
In international politics, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman extended his heartfelt congratulations to Shigeru Ishiba on becoming Japan's new Prime Minister, underscoring the robust ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan. Ishiba, succeeding Fumio Kishida via parliamentary vote, has received best wishes for his leadership and Japan's ongoing advancement.

Meanwhile, in culture and arts, "Camirata," a Sudanese band based in Cairo, continues to preserve cultural heritage and uplift the spirits of refugees with vibrant traditional music and dance. The group's performances remind many Sudanese of home amid the ongoing conflict that has displaced millions, including thousands who found refuge in Egypt.

Shifting to the Middle East, President Joe Biden has voiced opposition to an Israeli strike on Iran, advocating for restraint to mitigate escalating tensions following Iran's missile attack on Israel. While discussing sanctions and potential responses with G7 leaders, Biden emphasized the necessity of considered measures to avert a wider regional conflict, even as Israel counteracts Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Turning to South Asia, Nepal is grappling with the aftermath of severe floods and landslides resulting from relentless downpours starting late September. The disaster has claimed over 200 lives, destroyed numerous homes, and imposed substantial challenges on relief efforts, with rivers like the Nakhu and Bagmati wreaking untold devastation.

In the realm of international aid, Saudi Arabia's impressive $132 billion global humanitarian initiative continues, with a notable focus on Yemen, where $27 billion has been directed. During a recent meeting in Riyadh, the Yemeni Prime Minister and KSrelief officials discussed ongoing projects, like mine clearance and war-affected children's rehabilitation, highlighting the Kingdom's commitment to aiding Yemen.

Finally, in pursuit of peace, Saudi Arabia reiterates its unwavering support for a two-state solution as the key to lasting Middle Eastern stability, as articulated by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The Kingdom remains dedicated to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, urging global recognition of Palestinian rights before any normalization with Israel.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
UK Intensifies Efforts to Secure Saudi Investment in Next-Generation Fighter Jet Programme
Saudi Arabia Tops Middle East Green Building Rankings with Record Growth in 2025
Qatar and Saudi Arabia Each Commit One Billion Dollars to President Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Initiative
Ramadan 2026 Prayer Times Set as Fasting Begins in Saudi Arabia and Egypt Announces Dates
Saudi Arabia Launches Ramadan 2026 Hotel Campaign to Boost Religious and Leisure Tourism
Saudi Arabia Seeks Reroute of Greece-Bound Fibre-Optic Cable Through Syria Instead of Israel
Saudi-Backed Scopely Acquires Majority Stake in Turkey’s Loom Games to Expand Mobile Portfolio
Zodiac Milpro Launches Zid Marine Joint Venture in Saudi Arabia to Expand Regional Shipbuilding
Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Reform Path Amid Claims of Ideological Reversal
Calls Grow for Saudi Arabia and UAE to Settle Differences Through Direct Dialogue
Jensen Huang just told the story of how Elon Musk became NVIDIA’s very first customer for their powerful AI supercomputer
British couple sentenced to 10 years in Iran for espionage
Former British Prince Andrew Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office
Unitree Robotics founder Wang Xingxing showcases future robot deployment during Spring Festival Gala.
Prince William Holds Talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman During Saudi Visit
Saudi Arabia’s Humain Commits $3 Billion Investment to Elon Musk’s xAI
SCOPA Executive Unveils Ambitious Relaunch Strategy for Saudi Production Company
Saudi Arabia Sees Rise in Business Visa Rejections Amid Tighter Compliance Checks
Saudi PIF Transfers Take-Two Stake to Savvy Games Group in Strategic Gaming Push
Jimmy Carr Says He ‘Loved’ Saudi Arabia Show Amid Debate Over Performing in the Kingdom
Sotheby’s ‘Origins II’ Auction Signals Saudi Collectors’ Shift Toward Cultural Legacy
EY and Microsoft Deepen Saudi Arabia Partnership with Launch of EY Studio+
Google Pay Launches Support for Mastercard Cards in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Bolsters Maritime Surveillance Fleet with Four C-27J Patrol Aircraft
Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia Deepen Strategic Partnership with New Investment and Energy Agreements
Saudi Crown Prince Receives Written Message from Kazakhstan’s President Amid Expanding Strategic Ties
ImmunityBio Shares Rise After Saudi Arabia BCG Manufacturing Update Spurs Investor Optimism
Global Music Star Tyla Confirmed as Headliner at 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Entertainment Lineup
Somalia and Saudi Arabia Forge New Military Partnership Amid Regional Power Shifts
Saudi Arabia and Several Nations Criticize Israeli West Bank Land Measures as Diplomatic Tensions Rise
Saudi Public Investment Fund Transfers Stake in Take-Two Interactive as Portfolio Strategy Evolves
Saudi Arabia’s Flagship Defense Expo Highlights Industrial Ambitions and Expanding Arms Portfolio
Strategic Divergence Deepens as Saudi Arabia and UAE Recalibrate Gulf Partnership
Saudi Arabia Confirms Start of Ramadan as Crescent Moon Sighted, While Other Nations Begin a Day Later
Rubio Calls for Sweeping U.N. Reform, Saying It Has Failed to End Wars in Gaza and Ukraine
10,000 Condoms Distributed at Winter Olympics 2026 Athlete Village Depleted Within 72 Hours
Prince William Meets Saudi Crown Prince as Epstein-Andrew Fallout Casts Shadow
Goldman Sachs and DP World Executive Resignations: Elite-Reputation Risk and Corporate Governance Fallout From the Epstein Disclosures
OpenAI and DeepCent Superintelligence Race: Artificial General Intelligence and AI Agents as a National Security Arms Race
Prince William in Saudi Arabia on Official Three-Day Visit to Strengthen UK-Saudi Relations
Prince William Highlights Women’s Sport During High-Profile Visit to Saudi Arabia
Prince William Begins High-Profile Diplomatic Mission to Saudi Arabia
Syria and Saudi Arabia Seal Multibillion-Dollar Investment Agreements to Drive Post-War Economic Reconstruction
Apple iPhone Lockdown Mode blocks FBI data access in journalist device seizure
Foreign Governments and Corporations Spend Millions with Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm in Washington
KPMG Urges Auditor to Relay AI Cost Savings
Saudi Arabia Quietly Allows Wealthy Foreign Residents to Buy Alcohol, Signalling Policy Shift
US and Iran to Begin Nuclear Talks in Oman
China unveils plans for a 'Death Star' capable of launching missile strikes from space
Investigation Launched at Winter Olympics Over Ski Jumpers Injecting Hyaluronic Acid
×