Vision or Mirage Saudi Arabia at theCrossroads : Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads

"'Clear-eyed and illuminating.' Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor ' A rich, superbly researched, balanced history of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.' General David Petraeus, former Commander U.S. Central Command and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency 'Destined to be the best single volume on the Kingdom.' Ambassador Chas Freeman, former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Assistant Secretary of Defense 'Should be prescribed reading for a new generation of political leaders.' Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of H.M. Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge. Something extraordinary is happening in Saudi Arabia. A traditional, tribal society once known for its lack of tolerance is rapidly implementing significant economic and social reforms. An army of foreign consultants is rewriting the social contract, King Salman has cracked down hard on corruption, and his dynamic though inexperienced son, the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, is promoting a more tolerant Islam. But is all this a new vision for Saudi Arabia or merely a mirage likely to dissolve into Iranian-style revolution? David Rundell - one of America's foremost experts on Saudi Arabia - explains how the country has been stable for so long, why it is less so today, and what is most likely to happen in the future. The book is based on the author's close contacts and intimate knowledge of the country where he spent 15 years living and working as a diplomat. Vision or Mirage demystifies one of the most powerful, but least understood, states in the Middle East and is essential reading for anyone interested in the power dynamics and politics of the Arab World"--Publisher's description "'Clear-eyed and illuminating' Henry Kissinger ' A rich, superbly researched, balanced history of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia' General David Petraeus 'Destined to be the best single volume on the Kingdom.' Ambassador Chas Freeman 'Should be prescribed reading for a new generation of political leaders.' Sir Richard Dearlove Something extraordinary is happening in Saudi Arabia. A traditional, tribal society once known for its lack of tolerance is rapidly implementing significant economic and social reforms. An army of foreign consultants is rewriting the social contract, King Salman has cracked down hard on corruption, and his dynamic though inexperienced son, the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, is promoting a more tolerant Islam. But is all this a new vision for Saudi Arabia or merely a mirage likely to dissolve into Iranian-style revolution? David Rundell - one of America's foremost experts on Saudi Arabia - explains how the country has been stable for so long, why it is less so today, and what is most likely to happen in the future. The book is based on the author's close contacts and intimate knowledge of the country where he spent 15 years living and working as a diplomat. Vision or Mirage demystifies one of the most powerful, but least understood, states in the Middle East and is essential reading for anyone interested in the power dynamics and politics of the Arab World."-- Provided by publisher Cover page 1 Halftitle page 2 Epigraph 3 Title page 4 Copyright page 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 List of Illustrations 10 Maps and Charts 12 Acknowledgments 13 Arabic Words 14 Preface 15 Introduction 17 Part 1: Creating a New Nation 17 Part 2: Managing Succession 18 Part 3: Balancing Stakeholders 18 Part 4: Delivering Competent Government 18 Part 5: Meeting New Challenges 19 Part I Creating a New Nation 22 1 The Rise and Fall of the House of Saud 26 2 The Wars of National Unification 36 3 The Ikhwan Revolt: Reaping What You Sow 48 Part II Managing Succession 64 4 Kings Saud and Faisal: A House Divided 66 5 Kings Khalid, Fahd, and Abdullah: A Team of Rivals 76 6 King Salman and Mohammed bin Salman: A New Royal Order 84 Part III Balancing Stakeholders 102 7 The Tribes 104 8 The Clerics 116 9 The Merchants 128 10 The Technocrats 138 11 The Royal Family 148 Part IV Delivering Competent Government 160 12 Providing Internal Security 162 13 Promoting Rapid Economic Development 178 14 Foreign Policy: Keeping Powerful Friends 188 15 Foreign Policy: Deploying Oil and Islam 204 16 Leading Gradual Social Change 216 Part V Meeting New Challenges 230 17 Economic Challenges: Kicking the Oil Habit 232 18 Security Challenges: Containing Iran and Managing Yemen 246 19 Political Challenges: Sectarianism, Corruption, and Autocracy 260 20 Evolving Arabia 272 Notes 280 Bibliography 308 Index 318 Something extraordinary is happening in Saudi Arabia. A traditional, tribal society once known for its lack of tolerance is rapidly implementing significant economic and social reforms. An army of foreign consultants is rewriting the social contract, King Salman has cracked down hard on corruption, and his dynamic though inexperienced son, the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, is promoting a more tolerant Islam. But is all this a new vision for Saudi Arabia or merely a mirage likely to dissolve into Iranian-style revolution?0David Rundell - one of America's foremost experts on Saudi Arabia - explains how the country has been stable for so long, why it is less so today, and what is most likely to happen in the future. The book is based on the author's close contacts and intimate knowledge of the country where he spent 15 years living and working as a diplomat. Vision or Mirage demystifies one of the most powerful, but least understood, states in the Middle East and is essential reading for anyone interested in the power dynamics and politics of the Arab World