Saudi Arabia in the Balance contains solid analyses by several scholars who put forward arguments that, to varying degrees, contradict, refute, or build upon one another. They methodically cover topics including economic policy, political reform, terrorism, and the Al-Saud family.
Each chapter focuses on one topic, but the chapters reference subject matter in other chapters, as well. For instance, economic reform has its own chapter, but other contributors discuss the economy to varying degrees and with different stresses on its importance. The contributors are also very careful to point out tensions between the forces that shape the Kingdom. Introducing reform could lessen social strife, but can be interpreted as giving in to pressure from abroad, and increase conflict from Saudis who are virulently anti-Western.
The book’s overarching goal is to address political and social issues within the Kingdom. This allows for a broad range of topics while not obscuring the “manifold linkages” between them (4). One of the unique arguments, put forth in Gerd Nonneman’s chapter “Determinants and Patterns of Saudi Foreign Policy,” is the concept of “Omnibalancing.”
While stating, as others authors have done, that Saudi foreign policy has been “pragmatic” since Ibn Saud founded the Kingdom, Nonneman situates their behavior in context of regional and international politics. Omnibalancing refers to weighing the “various threats the [Saudi] regime has perceived, [and then] trying to forge or maintain consensus in the region” to maintain the Saudi’s status in the region, if not increase it (346). Rather than just saying the Al-Saud co-opt, oppress, or allow for limited reforms, Nonneman contextualized maintaining the viability of the Kingdom and its ruling family within a framework of keeping regional and international powers appeased or as nominal allies. This position has not been voiced as adroitly in other texts, and is well worth reading.
The chapter on terrorism within the country is also unique in that it analyzes the members of various terrorist groups that have acted against the Saudi regime and their backgrounds, in addition to the strengths and limitations violent terrorism has encountered in the country. Surprisingly, the author argues that there is a core of individuals who believe in fighting the ruling family and other elements they see as un-Islamic, the terrorist cells discussed have met with only limited success in the country and posits reasons for that lack of efficacy. This is a very different angle compared to other authors who have argued that the terrorist cells are quite active and have a significant amount of sympathy and support in plotting the Al-Saud regimes’ overthrow.
Saudi Arabia in the Balance is an excellent body of scholarly work from which to hear a variety of positions on the country. The book is balanced in terms of voice and opinion, and avoids harsh criticisms. In many ways, Saudi Arabia is an important country in the Middle East–not the least of which because it is an uneasy ally with the U.S.–with its own serious conflicts that ripple from the country out to its neighbors. The text is not as accessible as other books on this blog, so be aware.
[Note: Madawi Al-Rasheed contributed a chapter to this work. One of her books has been reviewed on my blog, here.]
