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Reports on how the 1998 nonfatal traffic accident in Saudi Arabia helped spark the raging dispute between Ford Motor Co. and its tire supplier, Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. Details of the incident; Complaints filed against Explorer tires from Bridgestone/Firestone; Actions taken by Ford Motors in response to the complains.

Reports the move of Saudi Arabia to increase its oil production as of July 2000. Basis for the increase; Effort made by the United States to help Saudi Arabia to lower its oil prices.

Reveals the urban decay and poverty problem in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Evidence that the country is no longer a rich country; Suggestion from planners working through a government organization called the Riyadh Development Authority to address the problem; Effect of Riyadh's housing shortage.

Highlights the appointment of Prince Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki as head of the Saudi Arabia General Investment Commission. Objectives of Prince Abdullah; Planned revisions in the kingdom's business laws; Details on his previous accomplishments.

Focuses on Saudi Arabia's reported budget deficit for 1998 and planned cut on spending. Forecast from Henry Azzam, an economist with Middle East Capital Group of Beirut; Impact of Saudi projections on other Gulf countries; Announcement from Bahrain regarding its deficit up to 2001.

Looks at how Saudi Arabians are being taught a Western work ethic so they can learn the service jobs that guest workers have done. Reasons for this trend, including the huge baby boom of Saudis reaching employment age and the declining number of government office jobs; Goal of the Saudis to break up the ethnic division of labor and send foreign workers packing; The shrinking list of socially unacceptable jobs; Schooling.

Considers the irony that Saudi Arabia, an energy-rich country, is confronting a shortage of electricity. The occasional blackouts that part of the country experienced in 1995; Offices and homes in the capital, Riyadh, waiting for power hookups; Tight cash and accelerating demand for electricity complicating the solution of building more power plants; Why change comes slowly in Saudi Arabia.

Warns that Saudi Arabia, considered the world's richest country in oil and the linchpin of United States energy strategy, has the potential of becoming one of the most dangerous spots. America's declaration that it would not alter its 50-year relationship with the Saudis; The difficulties besetting the Saudis, such as the succession issue and social tensions; Details about the bombing and the inner turmoil in Saudi Arabia.

Reports on the amount of tourist construction under way in Saudi Arabia as of early 1998. Odd situation for a country that does not grant tourist visas; Provision for Saudi citizens of an alternative to Western tourist destinations; Range of projects including a snow village, artificial islands and rain forests.

Reports on the movement of American troops in Saudi Arabia from apartment blocks that have been the target of terrorist bombs to Saudi military bases, under an agreement reached between defense ministers of both countries. Cost of the rehousing; Allowance of family members to be sent home; Termination of American government's support to their school-age children in the country.

Focuses on the strain in the relationship between the Saudi government and the local business community because of two recent bombings in Saudi Arabia by Islamic radicals. Casualties during an attack at a Dhahran base on June 25, 1996; Car bombing at a Riyadh military complex on November 13, 1996; Business community's demands for reform; Government's dependence on the private sector.