Tag Archive for 'Saudi Arabia'

U.S. State Department Warning Issued for Saudi Arabia

Published on August 5, 2010 in travel alert. 0 Comments Tags: .

new_travel_alert2U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, the Consulate General in Dhahran and the Consulate General in Jeddah advise American citizens in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that we have received credible information that an unidentified extremist(s) in Saudi Arabia may be planning to attack Westerners working and living in al-Qasim, Saudi Arabia. The timing and method of potential attacks are currently unknown. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Consulate General Dhahran and Consulate General Jeddah remind U.S. citizens to exercise prudence and enhanced security awareness at all times.

Most personnel experience relatively few security concerns; however, situations can change suddenly. Regardless of where you are, it is always advisable to keep your security and situational awareness levels high.

Please follow these good security practices:

· Do not be time and place predictable. Vary your routes and times to and from work. Do not frequent the same shops with regularity;

· Know where you are going and have a plan of what to do in the event you encounter demonstrations or violence;

· Identify safe areas (for example police stations, hospitals, Saudi Government buildings) in your area and how to get to them quickly;

· Avoid crowds or large gatherings when traveling in public;

· Tell co-workers or neighbors where you’re going and when you intend to return;

· Minimize your profile while in public;

· Always carry a cell phone and make sure you have emergency numbers pre-programmed into your phone such as the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh (01-488-3800), U.S. Consulate General in Dhahran (03-330-3200) and U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah (02-667-0080). The emergency number for the Saudi Police, Fire, and Rescue is 999;

· Be prepared to postpone or cancel activities for personal safety concerns;

· Report all concerns and any demonstrations you may experience to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulates General in Dhahran and Jeddah;

· U.S. citizens are reminded to remain aware of the latest news concerning events within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries (e.g. Yemen conflict).

Where You Can’t Access The Worldwide Web

Published on August 18, 2009 in Facebook, Missionary Life, Travel Advice and Twitter. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

The worldwide web has been an efficient platform to freely share and exchange ideas, opinions and knowledge; however, even though the web is worldwide, there are still countries that censor and set up barriers to regulate the flow of electronic information including limiting email access, web pages (especially news) and religious content.  China, Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Syria, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan, Iran are just a few countries which the governments restrict web access and censor web content.

An August 13, 2009 article in Reuters reports the U.S. is covertly testing a technology called feed over email (FOE) in China and Iran which bypass Internet barriers setup by the government.  Currently you can use this technology with Google, Microsoft, Yahoo and Hotmail public email accounts. 

Why is the US doing this? 

“We don’t make any political statement about what people visit,”  said Ken Berman, head of IT at the U.S. government’s Broadcasting Board of Governors, which is testing the system and whose agency runs Voice of America.   “We are trying to impart the value: ‘The more you know, the better.’  People can look for themselves.”  Berman reports the system is still being developed and tested and very few details are available since secrecy is important to avoid detection from the opposing governments.

If you currently travel or live in a country that censors web content, then you probably know you have no access to your email, most news reporting websites, religious content (including blogs) and even Facebook and Twitter.  If you have a laptop and Internet connection, then I would recommend a SSL / Open VPN connection which is available for about any operating system including Windows, Linux and Mac systems.  It provides encrypted secure access and Open VPN is free.  Journalist for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing China arrived to find out that the “Great Firewall of China” prevented sending and receiving email but an SSL / Open VPN allowed them to access to all the usual web services without the Chinese Government monitoring their web connections.  You can Google Search “SSL / Open VPN” for more information. 

Please remember it can be  a national crime to access unauthorized Internet content which can result in large fines, confiscation of your computer, deportation and possibly imprisoned.  Know your risk and consequences.

Middle East Airport Travel Delays

Published on July 14, 2009 in Airport Delays. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Recent sand storms have caused delays at Riyadh’s King Khaled International Airport (OERK/RUH).  Flights are being rerouted to other airports as a precaution, and delays are likely to continue over the next several hours. Officials are advising residents and travelers to remain indoors as much as possible.

Sand storms are very common in this region this time of year.  Delays can also be expected in Iran, Iraq and Qatar.  Travelers who plan to visit the region should monitor weather conditions and allow for additional time for more than likely airport and airline delays into this region.