Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megacity project, envisioned as a linear utopia stretching across the desert, now faces mounting evidence of collapse under the weight of unrealistic ambitions and financial chaos. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s flagship initiative, part of the broader Vision 2030 plan to diversify beyond oil, promised a self-sustaining hub of technology and luxury. Yet recent reports paint a picture of engineering nightmares, ballooning costs, and a scramble to salvage what’s left.

The Financial Times detailed the failures in a feature, describing NEOM as a “dream unraveled.” Almost everything has gone awry, from architects overlooking basic physics—”poop flows downhill”—to the need for hundreds of shuttle cars to handle waste from thousands of toilets. The signature element, The Line, was meant to be a 100-mile-long glass skyscraper on its side, complete with an indoor marina for cruise ships and a stadium for the 2034 World Cup. Instead, after eight years and $50 billion in overruns, the site remains largely barren.

Insiders revealed to the FT that management is figuring out how to “gently” break the news to the crown prince that his full vision won’t materialize. One former employee noted the impossibility of sourcing enough materials: France’s entire annual cement output wouldn’t cover even 20 modules due by 2030, let alone the shipping hurdles. The project has been slashed from 20 modules to just three, making it “uninvestable” in the eyes of some involved.

These setbacks tie directly to Vision 2030’s flawed assumptions. With oil prices dipping below $100 per barrel since 2022 and showing no quick rebound—current Brent crude hovers around $70 as of November 2025—the kingdom operates with only 60% of expected funds. A Saudi official admitted to The Times of London: “We spent too much. We rushed at 100 miles an hour. We are now running deficits. We need to reprioritize.” Another business leader called it the “Dubai disease” of hype and glitz over substance.

Compounding the financial strain are darker elements. Tribes displaced for construction have faced imprisonment for protesting, while unaudited spending raises questions about where billions have vanished. Reports from Dezeen suggest the scaled-back version, now aiming for just 300,000 residents by 2030 instead of over a million, resembles “sterile desert suburbia” rather than a revolutionary city.

UNILAD Tech warned of an impending collapse, citing expert concerns over the $8.8 trillion giga-project’s viability. Gizmodo labeled it a “dystopian” endeavor crashing amid bizarre architectural choices, like a 30-story building hung from a massive arch, inspired by Marvel films that caught the crown prince’s eye.

Whispers in Saudi circles hint at deeper motives—perhaps NEOM serves as a grand distraction from domestic unrest or a conduit for funneling oil wealth into untraceable channels. With stalled elements like an airport runway blocked by a mountain and foundations poured for phantom structures, the project exemplifies the perils of top-down decrees ignoring practical limits. As the kingdom pivots to smaller AI ventures, NEOM’s fate warns against betting national fortunes on mirages in the sand.

Why the National Debt Is the Looming Threat to Your Retirement Plans

The Hidden Crisis No One Is Talking About

Every day, headlines warn about inflation, market volatility, and global instability—but the greatest looming threat to your retirement might be something far more fundamental: America’s skyrocketing national debt.

You can learn more about how the national debt affects you by reading this 3-minute report titled, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now“.

With debt growing faster than most Americans can possibly fathom, the government’s borrowing habits have reached historic—and dangerous—levels. To cover spending, Washington is making moves with their budget packages, tariffs, and taxes. Is it enough? No. It’s not even close to what would be necessary to stop out-of-control debt, let alone reverse it.

How Debt Erodes Your Nest Egg

There are only so many levers government and the Federal Reserve can pull to try to protect Americans, assuming that’s even a top priority for them. Unfortunately, pulling one level to relive one pressure invariably adds pressure from another direction. This is why prices keep going up even as inflation reportedly slows.

For retirees and pre-retirees, that’s a perfect storm. The dollars you’ve worked hard to save lose value, and your cost of living increases while your investments lag behind.

If you’re relying solely on paper-based assets—stocks, bonds, or mutual funds—you’re essentially tied to the same system that’s creating the problem. It’s a system that was designed to work well in the 20th century, not in today’s world with people living longer and the dollar rapidly losing value.

This is why the 3-minute report, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now,” is so important.

The Precious Metals Hedge

Thousands of Americans are looking for a tangible, time-tested hedge: physical gold and silver.

Unlike paper assets, precious metals aren’t dependent on government policy or the stock market’s mood swings. They’re real, finite resources that have maintained value for thousands of years through wars, recessions, and inflationary periods.

In fact, during times of high inflation and fiscal instability, gold often performs its best—because it’s seen as a store of value when faith in the dollar weakens. This is why prices have skyrocketed this year and are expected by many economists to continue going up in the future.

Take Control with a Gold IRA

One of the most effective ways to protect your retirement from national debt fallout is through a self-directed Gold IRA. This IRS-approved account lets you hold physical gold and silver within your retirement portfolio, giving you:

Direct ownership of your assets

A hedge against inflation and dollar decline

The control to diversify beyond Wall Street

Augusta Precious Metals specializes in helping Americans just like you take this step with confidence. The company has earned a strong reputation for transparency, education, and personalized service—making it one of the most trusted names in the industry.

The Next Step: Secure Your Financial Future

Augusta Precious Metals has helped thousands of Americans with at least $50,000 to invest from their IRAs, 401(K)s, TSPs, and other retirement accounts safeguard their savings through precious metals.

If you’re concerned about what the rising national debt could mean for your future, now is the time to act.

Read this 3-minute report titled, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now“ and learn the simple steps you can take to protect your retirement.