nder The Radar is a special series and newsletter offering from Diplomatic Courier bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world over the past month. This month across the Middle East and North Africa: a big ‘green hydrogen’ deal between the Middle East and Europe, a treasure trove of ancient artifacts in Iraq, and ramped-up crackdowns against LGBT people in Tunisia. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
Saudi Arabia and Germany have signed a deal that they’re touting as a “hydrogen bridge" between the two nations, specifically for the transfer of what’s known as “green hydrogen.”
“Green hydrogen” is labeled as such because it is hydrogen created by splitting the molecule from within water using electrolyzers, which are powered by enewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
The Saudis are building a 2.2 gigawatt green hydrogen plant at its 300–square–kilometer NEOM mega–project. The plant, which will be powered by renewable sources, is expected to be fully operational in 2026 and will produce 600 tons of hydrogen a day. The Saudi–German deal would provide 200,000 tons of hydrogen annually by 2030.
Hydrogen is easy to transport (as ammonia) and store for future use.
The deal matches the Saudis’ aggressive plans to develop new energy production and markets, with Germany’s hunger for other sources of renewable energy sources. It has struck hydrogen supply deals with Brazil and Norway.
Germany wants to use the fuel to power steel manufacturing, and as a backup fuel for other renewable sources.
In Iraq, a treasure trove of Stone Age tools
A stretch of Iraqi desert has yielded a treasure trove of Stone Age tools.
A British–funded pilot project to investigate a 200–square–kilometer patch in the Al-Shabakah area of Iraq’s Western Desert for what is known as “archaeological surface material,” meaning researchers didn’t dig for artifacts but sifted surface material to see what they would find.
Researchers found seven Stone Age archeological sites and a bounty of Old and Middle Paleolithic–era artifacts, more than 850 in total, including hand axes that could be about 1.5 million years old.
The geographical area of interest was once the site of a large lake, then ancient wadis and dry riverbeds.
Researchers report they have faced few security struggles during their research. They hope to expand their survey area in the future as they seek a better understanding of the Stone Age humans who populated the Arabian Peninsula.
Tunisia ramping up crackdowns on LGBT people
Tunisia has been ramping up crackdowns on LGBT people. At least 84 people were arrested, detained, jailed, and prosecuted in recent months according to a Tunisian NGO, reported Amnesty International, which interviewed lawyers and LGBT activists who confirmed the identity based repression. The actual number is likely far higher. At least two men faced torture.
The wave of intimidation and repression follows an online campaign that began in September and was mirrored by messages on traditional media. This was followed by a government statement issued in October condemning the use of social media to spread content “contrary to public morals.”
The persecution of LGBT Tunisians is based on vague statutes in the nation’s criminal law, which criminalizes “sodomy and lesbianism” as well as acts “against good morals or public morality.”
Tunisian President Kais Saied, an increasingly autocratic leader, has supported the criminalization of homosexuality as he’s cracked down on political opponents and fomented fear of supposed threats both inside and outside the country. His government has asked social media platforms such as Meta to take down and restrict LGBT content.
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‘Green hydrogen’ gets boost in Saudi–German ‘bridge’ deal
Artist conception of the Oxagon, industrial development in the NEOM mega-project in Saudi Arabia, which will include a green hydrogen facility. Photo courtesy NEOM.
March 7, 2025
Diplomatic Courier editor Jeremy Fugleberg brings you three under–the–radar stories from the Middle East and North Africa: a 'hydrogen bridge' from Saudi Arabia, Stone Age tools found in Iraq, and an ongoing LGBT crackdown in Tunisia
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nder The Radar is a special series and newsletter offering from Diplomatic Courier bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world over the past month. This month across the Middle East and North Africa: a big ‘green hydrogen’ deal between the Middle East and Europe, a treasure trove of ancient artifacts in Iraq, and ramped-up crackdowns against LGBT people in Tunisia. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
Saudi Arabia and Germany have signed a deal that they’re touting as a “hydrogen bridge" between the two nations, specifically for the transfer of what’s known as “green hydrogen.”
“Green hydrogen” is labeled as such because it is hydrogen created by splitting the molecule from within water using electrolyzers, which are powered by enewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
The Saudis are building a 2.2 gigawatt green hydrogen plant at its 300–square–kilometer NEOM mega–project. The plant, which will be powered by renewable sources, is expected to be fully operational in 2026 and will produce 600 tons of hydrogen a day. The Saudi–German deal would provide 200,000 tons of hydrogen annually by 2030.
Hydrogen is easy to transport (as ammonia) and store for future use.
The deal matches the Saudis’ aggressive plans to develop new energy production and markets, with Germany’s hunger for other sources of renewable energy sources. It has struck hydrogen supply deals with Brazil and Norway.
Germany wants to use the fuel to power steel manufacturing, and as a backup fuel for other renewable sources.
In Iraq, a treasure trove of Stone Age tools
A stretch of Iraqi desert has yielded a treasure trove of Stone Age tools.
A British–funded pilot project to investigate a 200–square–kilometer patch in the Al-Shabakah area of Iraq’s Western Desert for what is known as “archaeological surface material,” meaning researchers didn’t dig for artifacts but sifted surface material to see what they would find.
Researchers found seven Stone Age archeological sites and a bounty of Old and Middle Paleolithic–era artifacts, more than 850 in total, including hand axes that could be about 1.5 million years old.
The geographical area of interest was once the site of a large lake, then ancient wadis and dry riverbeds.
Researchers report they have faced few security struggles during their research. They hope to expand their survey area in the future as they seek a better understanding of the Stone Age humans who populated the Arabian Peninsula.
Tunisia ramping up crackdowns on LGBT people
Tunisia has been ramping up crackdowns on LGBT people. At least 84 people were arrested, detained, jailed, and prosecuted in recent months according to a Tunisian NGO, reported Amnesty International, which interviewed lawyers and LGBT activists who confirmed the identity based repression. The actual number is likely far higher. At least two men faced torture.
The wave of intimidation and repression follows an online campaign that began in September and was mirrored by messages on traditional media. This was followed by a government statement issued in October condemning the use of social media to spread content “contrary to public morals.”
The persecution of LGBT Tunisians is based on vague statutes in the nation’s criminal law, which criminalizes “sodomy and lesbianism” as well as acts “against good morals or public morality.”
Tunisian President Kais Saied, an increasingly autocratic leader, has supported the criminalization of homosexuality as he’s cracked down on political opponents and fomented fear of supposed threats both inside and outside the country. His government has asked social media platforms such as Meta to take down and restrict LGBT content.
