The Westernization Of Saudi Arabia

It is also a dangerous moment, the Crown Prince is distancing the state from Wahhabism which has been a pillar of the House of Saud since before the conquest of the Hejaz.

Prepping for the IPO

Saudi women are emigrating from the country in droves. There just aren't enough jails cells to incarcerate them all. So the Sauds tossed them a kernel by allowing them to drive. Sharia Law still applies, Saudi women are not allowed to own property, nor have access to education beyond a Grade 8 level and rape is legal. The WahhabiTaliban lost part of their cred when Yemen's Houthi conducted successful raids across Saudi Barbarica's southern border. So now they are systematically destroying Yemen. The end result being that Al-Qaeda will take over the country, which the Wahhabi are perfectly fine with. Afghanistan is the prime example.

There could be shift but only if the moderate Red Sea Arabs (keepers of the Holy Cities) exert political influence. Something they've never been keen to do. The polar opposite to Saudi Barbarica is Senegal, the only country with a Sufi majority. They've been aggressively persecuted by Saudi extremists everywhere else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV7m6ukStdY

People need to realize the precarious state of the Saudi economy. The image of an oil rich nation with endless wealth is 4 years out of date. Youth unemployment is high and rising, inflation is almost 6 percent, and the Govt has had to run deficits, use up foreign reserves, and issue bonds in order to continue to fund its many social benefits in a sub $75 crude world. The ARAMCO IPO will likely be pushed out even further to give time to restructure - so might not even happen in 2019. Bin Salman has been a very progressive leader in part because of the 2014/15 crash in oil prices - which forces his hand. Even with prices recovering to the mid-70’s range, SA needs to quickly diversify their economy and this means engaging eg - women into mainstream society. It also helps their main Western ally to continue to justify support for the regime. Ironically, Bin Salman stated in a recent interview that Saudi funding of Wahhabism was done at the request of the US to help counter the Soviets during the Cold War.

I think this Prince is legit. But at some point there is going to be an uprising.

Butler1000 said:

I think this Prince is legit. But at some point there is going to be an uprising.

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No doubt. There are a lot of Saudi's that support the status quo - a conservative Islamist theocracy. Many of those are in power positions and have influence over the police and military. They won't give in easily.

Butler1000 said:

I think this Prince is legit. But at some point there is going to be an uprising.

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The question is which way. The royals have spent so much money backing the spread of Wahhabi ideology that they may not be able to distance themselves.


But congrats on a very small step.

K Douglas said:

No doubt. There are a lot of Saudi's that support the status quo - a conservative Islamist theocracy. Many of those are in power positions and have influence over the police and military. They won't give in easily.

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I will say the arrests for corruption and return of over 100 billion dollars did show he has consolidated alot of power. And so far the imams havent commented on the driving.

I saw one of the leading activists say quite plainly she is going after the whole dystem of female inequality.

And havent heard about her arrest.

basketcase said:

The question is which way. The royals have spent so much money backing the spread of Wahhabi ideology that they may not be able to distance themselves.


But congrats on a very small step.

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This prince i think is prepared to round up and or kill anyone who stands in the way.

He is looking at the survival of the nation. I think he wants to set up SA as a financial hub. And the only way that occurs is with a stable democracy and constitutional law. He may well be cosmopolitan enough to transition the royal family to a British style to ensure its place and keep alot of wealth and position.

It seem to have two timelines. One to 2030. And another to about 30 years hence.