Publication

This report looks at Saudi Arabia’s ability for political reform before the background of Islamist terrorist attacks, an ultra-orthodox interpretation of Islam and an absolutistic royal dynasty. After a short introduction, the paper addresses the foundations of Saudi Arabia’s political system, including the history of Saudi rule and the structure of the regime. Subsequently, the paper reviews the existing pressures and demands for reform and illustrates the regime’s response to that. Further attention is devoted to the sensitive balance between reform, religion and stability as well as to the role of the US.