Sudden closure of pro-Saudi think tank

Murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi (left) and Ali Shihabi of the now-defunct Arabia Foundation debating Saudi “reforms” on al-Jazeera television last year. Video here.

The Arabia Foundation, a pro-Saudi think tank established in Washington only two-and-a-half years ago suddenly closed down yesterday, citing “ongoing differences” among its donors that have “made continued operations difficult”.

In a series of posts on Twitter the organisation’s founder, Ali Shihabi, said the closure decision was made by the board of directors. Neither its directors nor its…