Saudi Arabia recently conducted a review of the programs being offered in private training centers in the Kingdom with the aim of verifying their activities. The review resulted in Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which is headquartered in the United States, being prevented from delivering intellectual programs.

A source said that a representative of the institute in the Middle East, a Jordanian national, asked for a partnership with a Saudi academic in Jeddah and requested that the Carnegie institute be allowed to offer basic programs related to change and thought. However, his request was turned down by Saudi authorities.

The source also said that Saudi Arabia canceled during the past few days the licenses of four training establishments owned by Arab investors from Egypt, Palestine and Jordan because they tried to deliver programs which might negatively impact Saudi society. The source added that precautionary measures have been taken by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation such as issuing training licenses only to well known legal entities and prohibiting training in charitable societies which are managed by individuals who might contribute to incitement.

Saudi Arabia also ruled out the practicing of business activities by anonymous establishments such as the Change Academy, and the Renaissance project in addition to other centers which it says threaten stability.

Meanwhile, these institutions and academies say they have a role in solving conflicts and promoting peace in the region but the studies they have published run contrary to their claims such as a study conducted by the American institute that questioned the legitimacy of the army in the articles of the Egyptian constitution.

The Egyptian authorities have since banned Michele Dan, an American analyst in the Carnegie institute, from entering the country.

Officials in the institute were disappointed with the ban saying this is the first time a researcher from Carnegie has been prevented from entering Egypt.