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Foreign Policy

Although we may aim for an ideal image of Saudi Arabia, we must recognize the political
realities of the situation. Muhammad ibn Saud agreed to promote the puritanical form of Islam
which Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab preached and in exchange, Abd-al-Wahhab would
support the house of Saud in their rule of Arabia. As such their ascendance has since been linked.
Their history intertwines the two aspects of society into a dependent relationship. Lessening the
royal familys dependence on this strict puritanical ideology may seem like an attack to the
family itself. Saudi Arabias rivalry with Iran blends both politics and religion inheriting the
historical Sunni/Shia divide. In such a polarized context, the two parties involved attempt to
outbid one another in what they deem as their respective authenticity. Narrative is extremely
important in keeping ones side unified. Therefore any move away from Wahhabism is
automatically seen as inherently less Saudi and as a consequence, possibly even Iranian.
Breaking this cycle and moving beyond this preconceived notion is paramount in providing a
way for the ruling Saudi class to relax their overly strict approach to ruling the country and
desires to export an ideology which often gives motivation to those who would do harm to the
Saudi Kingdom.
Extremist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram have all been
influenced by the ultra-conservative Wahhabi sect. The Islamic State even imports ideological
literature directly from Saudi Arabia. For example acts of homosexuality and adultery are
punishable by death under the rule of both entities. Most of the victims of these harsh
fundamental punishments are Muslims themselves. Those that adhere to this very narrow and
conservative view of Islam make life oppressive and often violent for others. For the good of
Islam and its tolerant believers we must deal with the Wahhabi ideology issue at its root.
However, one cannot simply declare to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that they should change
their policies without regard to the implications it may have upon the state and society. Instead
we need to respect Saudi Arabias religious conservatism and they should be free of persecution
to pursuit it. However that same freedom should be extended to all interpretations of Islam and
other faiths. Progress needs to be gradual and calculated or else it may simply entrench extremist
elements and give way to even more violence and persecution. How do we give less power to
religious fundamentalism while not challenging the narrative of Saudi Arabias ruling elite?

One remedy for this is to broaden the narrative to be more inclusive of other elements
within the society while linking other native Arabian aspects as being distinctly Saudi. Would the
Saudis prefer a religious conservative that is prone to acts of terrorism against the state, or a loyal
non-Wahhabi Muslim that is loyal to their rule? One no longer needs to specifically adhere to a
narrow Wahhabi interpretation of Islam in order to be a loyal citizen. Fears that this
diversification will lead to a weakening of the state are unfounded. Religious conservatives have
taken violent action that threatened Saudi Arabia in the past. The oppressed minorities will have
all the more reason to be loyal to a state that respects their backgrounds more than one that
denies their existence. Adherence to a strict conservative form of Islam does not equate to loyalty
to the kingdom. Wahhabi extremists have taken violent action against the state on several
occasions. Political and religious minorities will be loyal to the state by virtue of the protection it
can offer from the extremist elements.
Providing further security from the United States in exchange for political reform is
another way one can introduce both a reward for progressive policies or consequence for
stagnation. The United States own oil production capabilities have dramatically increased in the
last year making it the largest producer. As such, America is no longer as dependent on Saudi
Arabia for oil as it once was. This new attained leverage can be used to help Saudi Arabia
understand that political rights for all groups is truly in their best interest of the state. With its oil
based relationship with the United States shifting to a weaker position, Saudi political leaders
will either have to choose between strict adherence to an ideology and eventual decline on the
world stage, or pragmatic progressive policies that empower the state through the rights of its
people.
Islamic teaching and modernity do not need to be at odds with one another. This is
another false dilemma that some in the Saudi political class mistake. Fortunately we are seeing
members of the royal family, having had the chance to experience the world outside of their
native country, support many of the causes of modernity including human rights and political
reform. We are already seeing some change regarding the political rights of people in Saudi
Arabia. Widening political rights and roles for women is a strong step in the right direction.
Saudi Arabias most pressing geopolitical concern is the Islamic Republic of Iran. Both
sides support rival groups across the Middle East based on both religious and political interests.

Irans support of Hezbollah, the Syrian government and Shia militants in Iraq and Yemen
contrast with Saudi Arabias support of Sunni groups on the opposite side of the conflict. These
two states will continue to view each other as rivals utilizing proxy clients in their conflict. We
cannot hope to stop this out right. However the issue is that Saudi Arabias proxies tend to follow
the same brand of extremist Wahhabi ideology. If for example Saudi Arabia could focus their
support on moderate Sunni groups in Syria and throughout the region, this would cut down on
the exportation of extremist ideology to groups such as al-Nusra. Ideological reform within the
context of a political conflict that shares its own strict brand of ideology is difficult as it may
seem as if one is giving in. But the avenue of reform allows Saudi Arabia to tap into more
flexible policy options through moderate means and hopefully do away with the contradictory
policies of supporting extremists which will eventually turn against the Saudis we have seen in
the past.

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