The Great Wall of Arabia

Fearing that sectarian fighting may spread south, the Saudi Kingdom wants to erect a fence along its border with Iraq

No, you won't be able to see it from space, but Saudi Arabia, unnerved by the violence next door in Iraq, plans to spend up to $7 billion on a partly virtual fence along its 500-mile border with Iraq. The ultramodern barrier will combine fencing, electronic sensors and sand berms. Saudi and U.S. sources tell TIME the kingdom is seeking bids from contractors, including U.S. defense giant Raytheon. (A Raytheon spokesman says the Saudis asked the company not to comment.)

Saudi diplomats say the fence is intended to stop weapons and drug smuggling and illegal immigration. But they admit they fear...

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