Vision or Mirage

Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads

By: David Rundell

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Paperback | 2 December 2021

At a Glance

Paperback
432 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
2.5 x 15.6 x 23.3

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'Clear-eyed and illuminating.'
Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor
'A rich, superbly researched, balanced history of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.'
General David Petraeus, former Commander U.S. Central Command and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

'Destined to be the best single volume on the Kingdom.'
Ambassador Chas Freeman, former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Assistant Secretary of Defense

'Should be prescribed reading for a new generation of political leaders.'
Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of H.M. Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge.

'Balanced and insightful, this outstanding book sheds clarity on Saudi Arabia past and present. Rundell writes with all the local knowledge of the seasoned observer, and as one who has come to know and appreciate his subject well. Required reading for all Saudi watchers in the age of MBS.'
Professor Eugene Rogan, Director of the Middle East Centre at St Antony's College, University of Oxford.

Something extraordinary is happening in Saudi Arabia. A traditional, tribal society once known for its lack of tolerance is rapidly implementing significant economic and social reforms. An army of foreign consultants is rewriting the social contract, King Salman has cracked down hard on corruption, and his dynamic though inexperienced son, the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, is promoting a more tolerant Islam. But is all this a new vision for Saudi Arabia or merely a mirage likely to dissolve into Iranian-style revolution?
David Rundell - one of America's foremost experts on Saudi Arabia - explains how the country has been stable for so long, why it is less so today, and what is most likely to happen in the future. The book is based on the author's close contacts and intimate knowledge of the country where he spent 15 years living and working as a diplomat. Vision or Mirage demystifies one of the most powerful, but least understood, states in the Middle East and is essential reading for anyone interested in the power dynamics and politics of the Arab World.

Industry Reviews

"A book of staggering breadth and depth." --The Wall Street Journal

"Rundell covers the kingdom from top to bottom with vast wisdom, depth and understanding ... It provides a superb overview of the kingdom's political, economic and social landscape, but it goes well beyond that. Rundell explains, clearly and concisely, the special dynamics that drive the kingdom and render it so alien from our own society ... I wish that every United States diplomat, military officer and journalist would read this book before deploying there. I wish that every member of Congress would read it before voting on any measure related to Saudi Arabia. I wish every American pondering the frictions of our long relationship with the Saudis would read it simply to understand." --New York Times Book Review

"Excellent... analytically rigorous... exceptional..." --Financial Times

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