Saudi’s Abdullah: Reformer or Autocrat?

Two pieces in Foreign Policy analyze U.S.-Saudi Arabian relations and the nature of the Saudi regime, in light of King Abdullah‘s upcoming visit to the White House. Simon Henderson questions the standard portrayal of the Gulf kingdom as a staunch and straightforward ally of the U.S. in the region. Henderson suggests that the relationship is in fact more complex, arguing that Abdullah has taken steps to distance his government from Washington since 2001 in order to more effectively address Sunni-Shi’a issues and Sunni extremists at home. The author cites Saudi’s slide down the list of top oil exporters to the U.S., and its increasingly divergent view toward how to deal with Iran and the question of nuclear energy in Gulf countries, as prominent examples of this trend.

Toby C. Jones also points to uncertainty in the strength of future relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabic, suggesting that the two nations may not see eye to eye on key issues such as how to ensure security in the Persian Gulf, and dubbing Abdullah “a complicated ally” who has pushed back in recent years against unpopular U.S. policies such as the war in Iraq.

On the front of democracy and liberalization, Jones argues that Abdullah has not proven himself to be the reformer some had hoped for. While noting that the monarch has created at least some minimal space for greater freedom of the press and expression, Jones suggests that Abdullah’s ultimate goal is to increase his own family’s grip on power vis-a-vis the clergy, which has gained in influence since the 1970s. According to Jones,”Despite the new levels of openness enjoyed by Saudi citizens, Abdullah is not leading the kingdom on the path to political liberalism. Just the opposite: While making small social and economic concessions, the king is in fact turning the clock back in Arabia.”