The Line: A Million-Mile Dream or a Dystopian Nightmare?

Saudi Arabia's ambitious project, The Line, promises a futuristic utopia - a 100-mile long eco-city powered by renewable energy and free from car congestion. However, a closer look reveals a troubling reality behind the sleek renderings.

While headlines tout The Line's potential for economic growth and job creation, reports paint a different picture for the indigenous Huwaitat tribe whose land sits in the proposed city's path.

Colonel Rabih Alenezi, a former Saudi security official who fled the country, alleges he was ordered to use lethal force against Huwaitat who resisted eviction. This claim, along with images of a demolished village, casts a dark shadow on the project's human rights record.

Promises vs. Reality

The Line boasts a vision of sustainable living, yet its construction relies on displacing a community with deep ties to the land. Further questions arise about the project's feasibility. Building a 100-mile city in the harsh desert environment presents immense logistical challenges, and estimates suggest the final cost could balloon to a staggering $2 trillion.

A Sustainable Future or a Flawed Vision?

The Line raises critical questions about the true cost of progress. Can a sustainable future be built on the backs of displaced communities and questionable human rights practices? While technological innovation holds promise for a better tomorrow, it must be accompanied by ethical considerations and respect for the people and environment impacted.