There are at least three sets of questions to tackle in studying domestic challenges in Saudi Arabia: political reforms within the judiciary; ongoing “National Dialogue” seminars that mobilize thousands; and internal family dynamics where a few royals are pushing for the establishment of political parties. How well one is able to understand the many permutations within these three communities is important.
While political dissent is still frowned upon in Saudi Arabia, the very rule of King ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abd al-‘Aziz is premised on change, which cannot be reversed without inflicting permanent damage. Many have high hopes that he will not drop the baton — especially since he has demonstrated that he can deliver — though the monarch’s “will to power” requires that he harness and unite the energies of both liberal and Islamist reformists.