The Frantic 24 Hours Before Saudi Arabia Pulled the Plug on FII

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1. 56m ago

   Saudi Arabia Postpones 'Davos in the Desert' Conference to 2027

   Saudi Arabia has postponed its flagship investment conference, also known as 'Davos in the Desert', to 2027 amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. The conference, officially called the Future Investment Initiative (FII), was scheduled to take place next week but has been delayed due to safety concerns and renewed hostilities between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia.

   Why it matters

   The postponement comes as Houthi militants have launched repeated volleys of missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia since a deadly airport attack earlier this month. The conference is a major event for Saudi Arabia to attract foreign investment and promote its economic vision.

   What is confirmed

   • Saudi Arabia postponed its 'Davos in the Desert' conference to 2027.
   • The postponement was due to escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom.
   • The conference was officially called the Future Investment Initiative (FII).
   • Wall Street executives expressed safety concerns to PIF head Yasir Al-Rumayyan ahead of the conference.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Some Wall Street leaders considered bailing on the conference after attacks on Riyadh.

   What to watch next

   • The rescheduled date for the FII conference in 2027
   • Further developments in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels
   • Impact on Saudi Arabia's economic vision and foreign investment
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. WSJ — Exclusive | Some Wall Street Leaders are Weighing Bailing on ‘Davos in the Desert’ After Attacks on Riyadh
   2. The New York Times — Saudi Arabia Postpones Its Marquee Investment Event After Houthi Attacks
   3. CNN — Saudi Arabia cancels next week’s ‘Davos in the Desert’ conference after series of Houthi attacks
   4. Reuters — Saudi Arabia postpones its 'Davos in the Desert' conference after attacks
   5. CNBC — Saudi Arabia postpones big investor conference to 2027 as Iran-backed Houthis escalate attacks on kingdom
   6. The Washington Post — Saudi Arabia postpones ‘Davos of Desert’ conference amid Houthi attacks
   7. Bloomberg.com — The Frantic 24 Hours Before Saudi Arabia Pulled the Plug on FII
   8. WSJ — The Morning Risk Report: Saudi Arabia Postpones ‘Davos in the Desert’
   9. Fortune — Stocks sell off globally as crisis grips France and Saudi Arabia cancels ‘Davos in the Desert’
   10. Morning Brew — Saudis postpone ‘Davos in the desert’ amid attacks
   11. NPR — Saudi Arabia cancels 'Davos in the Desert' due to air strikes
   12. www.semafor.com — Saudi postpones FII in person after Wall Street lobbying ...
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