Saudi Saudi KingsKings

House of Saud

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)(KSA)

Founded in 1932Abdul Aziz ibn Saud

(aka Ibn Saud)Government:

◦ Absolute Monarchy◦ 7,000 Princes◦ 200 Princes with the

most power in the form on government offices, such as ministries

The Ulema◦ Religious Leaders &

Jurists◦ Share some powers in

government

King Abdullah bin Abdul al-King Abdullah bin Abdul al-SaudSaud

Current King of the KSA

6th King of the country

Came to power in 2005 when older brother died.

Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud

Was the Former Crown Prince

Died, October, 2011

New Crown Prince is HRH Prince Nayef◦ Line of Succession

very different from most countries

◦ Makes it difficult in future.

Sons of Abdul Aziz ibn Sons of Abdul Aziz ibn Sa'udSa'ud Bandar bin Abdul Aziz (1923-)

Musa'id bin Abdul Aziz (1923-) Mishaal bin Abdul Aziz (1926-) Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz (1926-) Abd al-Rahman bin Abdul Aziz (1931-) Mutaib bin Abdul Aziz (1931-) Talal bin Abdul Aziz (1931-) Badr bin Abdul Aziz (1933- Nawwaf bin Abdul Aziz (1933-) Turki bin Abdul Aziz (1934-) . Abdulilah bin Abdul Aziz (1935-) Salman bin Abdul Aziz (1936-) Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz (1940-) Mamdouh bin Abdul Aziz (1940-) Sattam bin Abdul Aziz (1943-) Muqran bin Abdul Aziz (1945-)

Grandsons of Abdul Aziz ibn Grandsons of Abdul Aziz ibn Sa'udSa'ud

Muhammed bin Saud (1934-) Abdallah al-Khalid(1935-) Mohammed al Faisal (1937-) Khalid al Faisal (1941-) Saud al Faisal (1941-) Mutaib bin Abdullah (1943-) Faisal bin Bandar (1943-) Turki al Faisal (1945-) Saud bin Abdul Mohsin (1947-) Khalid bin Sultan (1949-) Mohammed bin Fahd (1950-) Bandar bin Sultan (1950-) Mohammed bin Nawwaf (1953-) Al-Walid ibn Talal (1955-) Saud bin Nayef (1956-) Sultan bin Salman (1956-) Mohammed bin Nayef (1959- Faisal bin Salman (1960-) Abdulaziz bin Fahd (1973-) 34

Democracy in KSA?Democracy in KSA?KSA has only had

an absolute monarchy

Most citizens although very educated have never voted

Political Parties not legal until 2005

Makes democracy very difficult

EconomicsEconomics25% of World Oil

ReservesLargest Exporter of

Petroleum◦ 90% of KSA reserves

exportedMost businesses are

government owned◦ Trying to privatizeOther industries

Religious items, chemicals, polymers, fertilizers, construction

Young Population ◦ 46% under age 14◦ Jobs are an

increasing issue◦ Large gap between

rich and poor

Economics cont.Economics cont.

Riyadh – Capital (Left)Jeddah – (Above)

Economics Cont.Economics Cont.

Design of King Abdullah Economic CityProjected to create 1.5 million new jobs

Economics cont.Economics cont.

Human RightsHuman RightsPunishments

◦ Public Executions◦ Beheadings◦ Stoning◦ Flogging◦ Fire Squads◦ 345 executions

between 2007-2010

Human RightsHuman RightsWomen

◦ Read “The Movement for Social Reform in Saudi Arabia”

◦ Men first voted in 2005 Only time anyone in KSA

has voted

Women to vote in 2015

elections for 1st timeMunicipal Elections

Half of municipals (finance, health, education, agriculture) are princes, other half elected.

Women Cannot Drive◦ Many still do in rural

areas◦ Are allowed to fly

planesCannot Travel

without male guardian

Need written permission from male relative to travel outside the country

Human Rights cont.Human Rights cont.Minorities

◦Foreigners are allowed to travel, live and work in Saudi Arabia

◦Not allowed to practice religion openly◦Holy sites are off limits to “non-Muslims”◦Not allowed to be buried inside Saudi soil

Muttawa (Religious Police)Muttawa (Religious Police)Enforce religious rules in public places

◦ Approx: 3,500 plus thousands of volunteersIn many cases this means:

◦ Order/remind women to keep heads covered◦ Ban single men from entering malls on

weekends to allow women to shop◦ Force men to evacuate shops to go to the

mosque and pray◦ Inform non-Muslims to stop shopping until

prayer times are over.HOWEVER, many conservative Saudis

favor these laws as a way of preserving traditional values.

Saudi Arabia & USASaudi Arabia & USAMilitary

◦ Small population = small military = make difference up with big guns

◦ $25-40 Billion Annually, most purchased from USA

◦ Largest purchaser of U.S. weapons

◦ Also receives US weapons and defense training in KSA and abroad in exchange for military bases and unrestricted oil trade

◦ Military has been used to defend against Saddam Hussein, Israeli threats, and terrorism

◦ Congress agreed to sell $60 Billion in arms in 2010 – largest arms sale in US history

Saudi Arabia & USASaudi Arabia & USAEvery president

since FDR has recommitted US ties to Saudi Arabia

Relations important ◦ Economically◦ Politically◦ Militarily

Strong Connection to USAStrong Connection to USA

Reform in KSA?Reform in KSA?Will Women Vote?

◦ Claim is 2015◦ 2005 King appointed

first female ministersOpposition to

Royal Family Political parties (liberal,

Sunni Islamic, Shia & Hejaz tribes)

Protesting is strictly forbidden

Spurred by Arab revolutions in other Arab countries