Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads

David Rundell served as a diplomat for 15 years in Saudi Arabia, as well as having postings in other countries in the region. His account of how Saudi Arabia got where it is with King Salman and Mohammed bin Salman firmly in charge is well-argued and documented, the analyses shrewd and thought-provoking. He wisely does not speculate too much on the future. Perhaps even MBS can't do that with any certainty.

Explains the history of the modern Saudi state in detail, which I found useful and informative. I sense that the author is equivocal in his attitude to the current regime. The message I am left with is that Saudi Arabia in 2020 was much less stable than it was in 2015

A brilliant book, the first half that deals with Saudi’s foundation and early history is superior to the second half. I bought a few books and gave them as gifts to those interested in that part of the world. Anyone interested in Saudi needs to read this book.

Mr. Rundell's book is brief, to the point, packed with facts but eminently readable, and deeply informed by his many years as an American diplomat in Saudi Arabia. (Truth in packaging: I am also a retired US diplomat, but never served in the Middle East.) The book is excellent for non-specialists who want to look behind the veil (sorry for the pun) to know what makes (or has made) Saudi Arabia "tick", but also for experts because of Mr. Rundell's unparalleled access to key Saudi players who can better reveal what really happened in certain episodes.The book provides a brief overview of the formation and modern history of the Kingdom, then describes each of the power centers (interest groups) which the Saudi dynasty has skillfully balanced and used to sustain its position and stability, and finally describes the key challenges/tasks facing the kingdom ahead, and what we should look to as future indicators of whether King Salmon and his son the Crown Prince are succeeding.The underlying (and insightful) premise of the book is that Saudi Arabia faces acute demographic and economic challenges ahead and needs, if it is to remain stable, to diversify its economy away from oil, but can only produce the necessary skilled and motivated work force by reducing popular subsidies (financed by oil) and introducing more liberal cultural elements into society. The more rapid pace of reform needed has led the King/Crown Prince to abandon the old glacial process of reform based on consensus and log-rolling and instead to adopt a top-down centralized authoritarian scheme in order to force the pace of change. Doing so produces friction with the major interest groups and could itself threaten regime political stability. So the Saudi royal family now faces a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" dilemma, the outcome of which remains in doubt.So this is a most timely book providing an excellent primer by which to judge future events in a country which remains vital as the determinant of the world supply and price of oil...and as a key player in the evolution of Islamic doctrine towards either moderation or extremist terrorism.

This book is concise, accurate, and full of interesting details about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is positive where Rundell believes that Saudi Arabia has succeeded, but critical of the Kingdom's mistakes. It gives just enough detail on the conservative brand of Islam practiced in Saudia Arabia for a lay reader to understand. It has a fulsome history of the al-Saud family. It carefully dissects Saudi Arabian foreign and military policies. It is the most comprehensive and carefully researched book on Saudi Arabia available.