The Desert Kingdom

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In The Media

The Desert Kingdom

Saudi Arabia is a major U.S. ally among Arab nations, yet most Americans know little about its modern system of governance or its ruling monarchy. Under reformer King Abdullah, Saudi society is changing.

By Christopher Boucek

Published on Oct 26, 2009

Source: WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi Show

Over the course of the past 80 years, Saudi society has undergone an amount of change that most societies experience over a period of hundreds of years. Christopher Boucek remarks, “In the span of living memory, Saudi Arabia has gone from a place where many people didn’t even wear shoes to a first world petrol power.” Dealing with this transformation and other issues such as Islamic extremism, political reform and the solidification of the state has produced a dynamic and sometimes volatile society. In effect, “Saudi Arabia is like a huge human laboratory,” says Boucek.

Alongside its numerous domestic issues, Saudi Arabia is an important and active player in regional Middle East politics. King Abdullah has engaged in an activist foreign policy to advance Saudi interests in the region. The Saudis also have instituted a counter-terrorism policy that has been largely successful in rehabilitating terrorists. Yet, this model may not necessarily work for other countries in the region. As Boucek suggests, “It is a Saudi solution for a Saudi problem.”

About the Author

Christopher Boucek

Former Associate, Middle East Program

Boucek was an associate in the Carnegie Middle East Program where his research focused on security challenges in the Arabian Peninsula and Northern Africa.

Recent Work

Q&A
Yemen After Saleh’s Return and Awlaki’s Exit
- Christopher Boucek
Q&A
Rivals—Iran vs. Saudi Arabia
- Christopher Boucek, Karim Sadjadpour

Security Saudi Arabia

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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