Bibliograph

Saudi Arabia on the edge, the uncertain future of an American ally, Thomas W. Lippman

Type

Label

Saudi Arabia on the edge, the uncertain future of an American ally, Thomas W. Lippman

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Illustrations

maps

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Saudi Arabia on the edge

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

728840649

Responsibility statement

Thomas W. Lippman

Series statement

A Council on Foreign Relations book

Sub title

the uncertain future of an American ally

Summary

Of all the countries in the world that are vital to the strategic and economic interests of the United States, Saudi Arabia is the least understood by the American people. Saudi Arabia's unique place in Islam makes it indispensable to a constructive relationship between the non-Muslim West and the Muslim world. For all its wealth, the country faces daunting challenges that it lacks the tools to meet: a restless and young population, a new generation of educated women demanding opportunities in a closed society, political stagnation under an octogenarian leadership, religious extremism and intellectual backwardness, social division, chronic unemployment, shortages of food and water, and troublesome neighbours. Today's Saudi people, far better informed than all previous generations, are looking for new political institutions that will enable them to be heard, but these aspirations conflict with the kingdom's strict traditions and with the House of Saud's determination to retain all true power. Meanwhile, the country wishes to remain under the protection of American security but still clings to a system that is antithetical to American values. Basing his work on extensive interviews and field research conducted in the kingdom from 2008 through 2011 under the auspices of the Council on Foreign Relations, Thomas W. Lippman dissects this central Saudi paradox for American readers, including diplomats, policymakers, scholars, and students of foreign policy

Table Of Contents

Introduction -- Kings and country -- Oil rich, energy short -- Hungry people, thirsty land -- A new economic model -- The labor market and its discontents -- The education revolution -- Women: the coming breakout -- Islam, society, and the state -- Social upheaval, social welfare -- Bad neighborhood -- An evolving alliance

Classification