The Saudi Terror Machine

November 15, 2018
Saudi Arabia is arguably one of the least understood countries, politically and culturally, in the West. This wide-ranging book shows the two faces of Saudi Arabia: on the one hand, the conciliatory face of the Saud family; on the other, the unbending orthodoxy of the ulema (religious scholars). Beginning with the formation of Saudi Arabia, which at its inception was committed to propagating its parochial view of Islam and forcing other Muslims to adopt it, the book goes on to show how the kingdom has been shielded from modernism; for instance, all Saudi monarchs have been educated in Wahhabi madrasas. Conesa demonstrates how history and convention serve as forces underpinning Saudi Arabia's political and religious diplomacy, which includes funding madrasas throughout the world, opposing nationalism, fighting Shia Muslims, sending contingents to Afghanistan and Yemen, and maintaining a relationship with ISIS. In five chapters, the book provides credible analysis, an explanation of historical events, and a possible future trajectory. Highly recommended for those studying Middle Eastern politics or the modern roots of radical Islam.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)