In recent years, Saudi Arabia has sought to diversify its economy away from oil, making massive investments in the U.S. It is now seeking to invest in a gaming company with a consortium put together by President Trump's son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner.

Riyadh

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, led by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is backing a consortium organized by Jared Kushner to acquire Electronic Arts, a major U.S. video game company known for titles such as Battlefield, The Sims, and Madden NFL. The deal, valued at $55 billion, represents a notable expansion of Saudi investment into the U.S. entertainment sector.

Jared Kushner, who developed close ties with Mohammed bin Salman during his tenure in the White House, is also encouraging broader changes in Saudi policy, including potential recognition of Israel. The acquisition will still need to clear several regulatory hurdles before completion.

Saudi fund, Kushner’s firm to buy Electronic Arts in $55bn deal

Video games are the target of the latest Saudi foray into the U.S. economy. The kingdom is backing a consortium put together by President Trump's son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner to buy the massive electronic arts company, makers and distributors of wildly popular games like Battlefield, The Sims, and Madden NFL. The capital comes from the Saudi Public Investment Fund, headed by Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Jared Kushner had been a prominent player in the White House during President Trump's first term and accompanied him on his first state visit in May 2017. The host was Saudi Arabia, and Kushner struck up what became a close and personal relationship with Mohammed bin Salman, who he insists has transformed the kingdom. I think what's happened there is absolutely critical. The person who deserves credit for that is Mohammed bin Salman, who at that time was the Deputy Crown Prince, and I think what he's done has been absolutely historic for the country. I think he's done a lot of things that are in America's interest, and I think he's done a lot of things that have made the world a better place. The fact that Saudi Arabia is investing in the U.S. entertainment industry is evidence of the extent to which things have changed. In the past, this would have been at odds with the strict moral code that was such a part of the country. And Kushner is at the forefront of pushing Saudi Arabia to consider the unthinkable in one other critical area, recognition of Israel. The electronic arts would still face several regulatory hurdles, but in Kushner's world it's part of a far larger game, one in which a personal relationship leads to mutual profit, the transformation of a society, and perhaps a key signature to the Abraham Accords. Mike Hanna, Al Jazeera, Washington.

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Breakdown