Madawi Al-Rasheed

Hardback, 416 pages

9781787383791

Reform and ruthless repression go hand in hand in MBSs Saudi Arabia.

In 2018, journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered by Saudi regime operatives, shocking the international community and tarnishing the reputation of Muhammad bin Salman, the kingdoms young, reformist crown prince. Domestically, bin Salmans reforms have proven divisive, and his adoption of populist nationalism and fierce repression of diverse critical voicesreligious scholars, feminists and dissident youthhave failed to silence a vibrant and well-connected Saudi society.

Madawi Al-Rasheed lays bare the world of repression behind the crown princes reforms. She dissects the Saudi regimes propaganda and progressive new image, while also dismissing Orientalist views that despotism is the only pathway to stable governance in the Middle East. Charting old and new challenges to the fragile Saudi nation from the kingdoms very inception, this blistering book exposes the dangerous contradictions at the heart of the Son Kings Saudi Arabia.