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Politics of Saudi Arabia - Wikipedia
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id="toc-Constitution-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-The_King" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#The_King"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.1</span> <span>The King</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-The_King-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Royal_family" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Royal_family"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.2</span> <span>Royal family</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Royal_family-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-The_influence_of_the_ulama" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#The_influence_of_the_ulama"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.3</span> <span>The influence of the ulama</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-The_influence_of_the_ulama-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Corruption" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Corruption"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.4</span> <span>Corruption</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Corruption-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Reform" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Reform"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.5</span> <span>Reform</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Reform-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Politics_outside_of_the_royal_family" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Politics_outside_of_the_royal_family"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2</span> <span>Politics outside of the royal family</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Politics_outside_of_the_royal_family-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Politics outside of the royal family subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Politics_outside_of_the_royal_family-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Political_participation" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Political_participation"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1</span> <span>Political participation</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Political_participation-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Opposition_to_the_royal_family" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Opposition_to_the_royal_family"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2</span> <span>Opposition to the royal family</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Opposition_to_the_royal_family-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Islamist_terrorism" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Islamist_terrorism"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.3</span> <span>Islamist terrorism</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Islamist_terrorism-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Arab_Spring_protests" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Arab_Spring_protests"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.4</span> <span>Arab Spring protests</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Arab_Spring_protests-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Regional_government" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Regional_government"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3</span> <span>Regional government</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Regional_government-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Regional government subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Regional_government-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Municipal_elections" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Municipal_elections"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.1</span> <span>Municipal elections</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Municipal_elections-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Political_reform" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Political_reform"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4</span> <span>Political reform</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Political_reform-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-See_also" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#See_also"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5</span> <span>See also</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-See_also-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Notes" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Notes"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">6</span> <span>Notes</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Notes-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-References" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#References"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">7</span> <span>References</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-References-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-External_links" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#External_links"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">8</span> <span>External links</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-External_links-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="mw-content-container"> <main id="content" class="mw-body"> <header class="mw-body-header vector-page-titlebar"> <nav aria-label="Contents" class="vector-toc-landmark"> <div id="vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown vector-page-titlebar-toc vector-button-flush-left" title="Table of Contents" > <input type="checkbox" id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox " aria-label="Toggle the table of contents" > <label id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-label" for="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only " aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-listBullet mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-listBullet"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">Toggle the table of contents</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-unpinned-container" class="vector-unpinned-container"> </div> </div> </div> </nav> <h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading mw-first-heading"><span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Saudi Arabia</span></h1> <div id="p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown mw-portlet mw-portlet-lang" > <input type="checkbox" id="p-lang-btn-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox mw-interlanguage-selector" aria-label="Go to an article in another language. Available in 15 languages" > <label id="p-lang-btn-label" for="p-lang-btn-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--action-progressive mw-portlet-lang-heading-15" aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-language-progressive mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-language-progressive"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">15 languages</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ar mw-list-item"><a href="https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9" title="سياسة السعودية – Arabic" lang="ar" hreflang="ar" data-title="سياسة السعودية" data-language-autonym="العربية" data-language-local-name="Arabic" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>العربية</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-bn mw-list-item"><a href="https://bn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8C%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF_%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0_%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0_%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF" title="সৌদি আরবের সরকার পদ্ধতি – Bangla" lang="bn" hreflang="bn" data-title="সৌদি আরবের সরকার পদ্ধতি" data-language-autonym="বাংলা" data-language-local-name="Bangla" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>বাংলা</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-bg mw-list-item"><a href="https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D1%8A%D1%80%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%BE_%D1%83%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B9%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE_%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%A1%D0%B0%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0_%D0%90%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B8%D1%8F" title="Държавно устройство на Саудитска Арабия – Bulgarian" lang="bg" hreflang="bg" data-title="Държавно устройство на Саудитска Арабия" data-language-autonym="Български" data-language-local-name="Bulgarian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Български</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-de mw-list-item"><a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politisches_System_Saudi-Arabiens" title="Politisches System Saudi-Arabiens – German" lang="de" hreflang="de" data-title="Politisches System Saudi-Arabiens" data-language-autonym="Deutsch" data-language-local-name="German" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Deutsch</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-es mw-list-item"><a href="https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pol%C3%ADtica_de_Arabia_Saudita" title="Política de Arabia Saudita – Spanish" lang="es" hreflang="es" data-title="Política de Arabia Saudita" data-language-autonym="Español" data-language-local-name="Spanish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Español</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fa mw-list-item"><a href="https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA_%D8%AF%D8%B1_%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86_%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%DB%8C" title="سیاست در عربستان سعودی – Persian" lang="fa" hreflang="fa" data-title="سیاست در عربستان سعودی" data-language-autonym="فارسی" data-language-local-name="Persian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>فارسی</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fr mw-list-item"><a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politique_en_Arabie_saoudite" title="Politique en Arabie saoudite – French" lang="fr" hreflang="fr" data-title="Politique en Arabie saoudite" data-language-autonym="Français" data-language-local-name="French" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Français</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-id mw-list-item"><a href="https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politik_Kerajaan_Arab_Saudi" title="Politik Kerajaan Arab Saudi – Indonesian" lang="id" hreflang="id" data-title="Politik Kerajaan Arab Saudi" data-language-autonym="Bahasa Indonesia" data-language-local-name="Indonesian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Bahasa Indonesia</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ms mw-list-item"><a href="https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politik_Arab_Saudi" title="Politik Arab Saudi – Malay" lang="ms" hreflang="ms" data-title="Politik Arab Saudi" data-language-autonym="Bahasa Melayu" data-language-local-name="Malay" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Bahasa Melayu</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-nl mw-list-item"><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politiek_in_Saoedi-Arabi%C3%AB" title="Politiek in Saoedi-Arabië – Dutch" lang="nl" hreflang="nl" data-title="Politiek in Saoedi-Arabië" data-language-autonym="Nederlands" data-language-local-name="Dutch" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Nederlands</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pt mw-list-item"><a href="https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pol%C3%ADtica_da_Ar%C3%A1bia_Saudita" title="Política da Arábia Saudita – Portuguese" lang="pt" hreflang="pt" data-title="Política da Arábia Saudita" data-language-autonym="Português" data-language-local-name="Portuguese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Português</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ro mw-list-item"><a href="https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politica_Arabiei_Saudite" title="Politica Arabiei Saudite – Romanian" lang="ro" hreflang="ro" data-title="Politica Arabiei Saudite" data-language-autonym="Română" data-language-local-name="Romanian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Română</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sq mw-list-item"><a href="https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistemi_shtet%C3%ABror_n%C3%AB_Arabin%C3%AB_Saudite" title="Sistemi shtetëror në Arabinë Saudite – Albanian" lang="sq" hreflang="sq" data-title="Sistemi shtetëror në Arabinë Saudite" data-language-autonym="Shqip" data-language-local-name="Albanian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Shqip</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sr mw-list-item"><a href="https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%BA%D0%B8_%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BC_%D0%A1%D0%B0%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B8%D1%98%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B5_%D0%90%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B5" title="Политички систем Саудијске Арабије – Serbian" lang="sr" hreflang="sr" data-title="Политички систем Саудијске Арабије" data-language-autonym="Српски / srpski" data-language-local-name="Serbian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Српски / srpski</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ur mw-list-item"><a href="https://ur.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%DB%8C_%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8_%DA%A9%DB%8C_%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA" title="سعودی عرب کی سیاست – Urdu" lang="ur" hreflang="ur" data-title="سعودی عرب کی سیاست" data-language-autonym="اردو" data-language-local-name="Urdu" 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<div id="contentSub"><div id="mw-content-subtitle"></div></div> <div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><p class="mw-empty-elt"> </p> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1257001546">.mw-parser-output .infobox-subbox{padding:0;border:none;margin:-3px;width:auto;min-width:100%;font-size:100%;clear:none;float:none;background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .infobox-3cols-child{margin:auto}.mw-parser-output .infobox .navbar{font-size:100%}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme)>div:not(.notheme)[style]{background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme) div:not(.notheme){background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media(min-width:640px){body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table{display:table!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>caption{display:table-caption!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>tbody{display:table-row-group}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table tr{display:table-row!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table th,body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table td{padding-left:inherit;padding-right:inherit}}</style><table class="infobox"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-above" style="font-size: 125%; background-color: #ededed"><div style="display:inline" class="fn org">Politics of Saudi Arabia</div> <br /><div style="display:inline" class="nickname">سياسة المملكة العربية السعودية</div></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_(2).svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg/125px-Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg.png" decoding="async" width="125" height="138" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg/188px-Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg/250px-Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="567" /></a></span><div class="infobox-caption"><a href="/wiki/Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Emblem of Saudi Arabia">Emblem of Saudi Arabia</a></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Polity type</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Unitary_state" title="Unitary state">Unitary</a> <a href="/wiki/Islamic_state" title="Islamic state">Islamic</a> <a href="/wiki/Absolute_monarchy" title="Absolute monarchy">absolute monarchy</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Constitution</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Basic_Law_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Basic Law of Saudi Arabia">Basic Law of Saudi Arabia</a><br />(<i><a href="/wiki/De_facto" title="De facto">De facto</a></i>)<br />The <a href="/wiki/Quran" title="Quran">Quran</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Sunnah" title="Sunnah">Sunnah</a><br />(<i><a href="/wiki/De_jure" title="De jure">De jure</a></i>)<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>a<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="vertical-align: middle; background-color:#EBEBEB;"><a href="/wiki/Legislature" title="Legislature">Legislative branch</a></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Name</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Consultative_Assembly_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia">Consultative Assembly</a><sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>b<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Type</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Unicameralism" title="Unicameralism">Unicameral</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Meeting place</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Al_Yamamah_Palace" title="Al Yamamah Palace">Al Yamamah Palace</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Presiding officer</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Abdullah_ibn_Muhammad_Al_ash-Sheikh" title="Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh">Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh</a>, Chairman of the Consultative Assembly</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="vertical-align: middle; background-color:#EBEBEB;"><a href="/wiki/Executive_(government)" title="Executive (government)">Executive branch</a></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data"><a href="/wiki/Head_of_state" title="Head of state">Head of state</a> and <a href="/wiki/Head_of_government" title="Head of government">government</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Title</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/King_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="King of Saudi Arabia">King</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Currently</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Salman_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Salman of Saudi Arabia">Salman</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Appointer</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Allegiance_Council" title="Allegiance Council">Allegiance Council</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data"><a href="/wiki/Cabinet_(government)" title="Cabinet (government)">Cabinet</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Name</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Council_of_Ministers_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia">Council of Ministers</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Current cabinet</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Council_of_Ministers_of_Saudi_Arabia#Members_of_the_Council_of_Ministers" title="Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia">Salman government</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Leader</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia">Prime Minister</a><sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>c<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Deputy leader</th><td class="infobox-data">First Deputy Prime Minister</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Appointer</th><td class="infobox-data">King</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Ministries</th><td class="infobox-data">23</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="vertical-align: middle; background-color:#EBEBEB;"><a href="/wiki/Judiciary" title="Judiciary">Judicial branch</a></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Name</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Judiciary_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Judiciary of Saudi Arabia">Judiciary of Saudi Arabia</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data"><a href="/wiki/Specialized_Criminal_Court_(Saudi_Arabia)" class="mw-redirect" title="Specialized Criminal Court (Saudi Arabia)">Specialized Criminal Court</a></td></tr></tbody></table> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt,.mw-parser-output .hlist li{margin:0;display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl 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rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><table class="sidebar sidebar-collapse nomobile vcard" style="width:20em;"><tbody><tr><th class="sidebar-title"><div class="adr"><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Politics of Saudi Arabia</a></div></th></tr><tr><th><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_(2).svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg/135px-Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg.png" decoding="async" width="135" height="150" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg/203px-Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg/270px-Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="567" /></a></span></th></tr><tr><th style="border-bottom: #aaa 1px solid"></th></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-above"> <p><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Arab_League" title="Arab League"><img alt="Arab League" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Flag_of_the_Arab_League.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_Arab_League.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Flag_of_the_Arab_League.svg/35px-Flag_of_the_Arab_League.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Flag_of_the_Arab_League.svg/45px-Flag_of_the_Arab_League.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="900" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Arab_League" title="Arab League">Member State of the Arab League</a> </p> <hr /></td></tr><tr><th class="sidebar-heading" style="padding-top:0;text-align:left;padding-bottom:0.5em;"> <a href="/wiki/Basic_Law_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Basic Law of Saudi Arabia">Basic Law</a></th></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content"> <div class="sidebar-list mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="sidebar-list-title" style="color: var(--color-base)"><a href="/wiki/House_of_Saud" title="House of Saud">Monarchy</a></div><div class="sidebar-list-content mw-collapsible-content" style="padding-top:0;text-align:left;"> <ul><li><div style="display: inline-block; line-height: 1.2em; padding: .1em 0;"><a href="/wiki/King_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="King of Saudi Arabia">King</a> and <a href="/wiki/Custodian_of_the_Two_Holy_Mosques" title="Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques">Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques</a></div> <dl><dd><a href="/wiki/Salman_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Salman of Saudi Arabia">Salman</a></dd></dl></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Crown_Prince_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia">Crown Prince</a> <dl><dd><div style="display: inline-block; line-height: 1.2em; padding: .1em 0;"><a href="/wiki/Mohammed_bin_Salman" title="Mohammed bin Salman">Mohammed bin Salman</a></div></dd></dl></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Deputy_crown_prince" class="mw-redirect" title="Deputy crown prince">Deputy crown prince</a> <dl><dd><div style="display: inline-block; line-height: 1.2em; padding: .1em 0;"><a href="/wiki/Vacant" class="mw-redirect" title="Vacant">Vacant</a></div></dd></dl></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Allegiance_Council" title="Allegiance Council">Allegiance Council</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Succession_to_the_Saudi_Arabian_throne" title="Succession to the Saudi Arabian throne">Succession</a></li></ul></div></div></td> </tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content"> <div class="sidebar-list mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="sidebar-list-title" style="color: var(--color-base)">Government</div><div class="sidebar-list-content mw-collapsible-content" style="padding-top:0;text-align:left;"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia">Prime Minister</a> <dl><dd><a href="/wiki/Mohammed_bin_Salman" title="Mohammed bin Salman">Mohammed bin Salman</a></dd></dl></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Council_of_Ministers_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia">Council of Ministers</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Consultative_Assembly_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia">Consultative Assembly</a> <dl><dd><div style="display: inline-block; line-height: 1.2em; padding: .1em 0;">President: <a href="/wiki/Abdullah_ibn_Muhammad_Al_ash-Sheikh" title="Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh">Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh</a></div></dd></dl></li> <li><a href="/wiki/National_Security_Council_(Saudi_Arabia)" title="National Security Council (Saudi Arabia)">National Security Council</a></li></ul></div></div></td> </tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content"> <div class="sidebar-list mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="sidebar-list-title" style="color: var(--color-base)"><a href="/wiki/Legal_system_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Legal system of Saudi Arabia">Legal system</a></div><div class="sidebar-list-content mw-collapsible-content" style="padding-top:0;text-align:left;;text-align:left;"><div class="plainlist"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Quran" title="Quran">The Quran</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hadith" title="Hadith">The Hadith</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Judiciary_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Judiciary of Saudi Arabia">Judiciary</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Capital punishment in Saudi Arabia">Capital punishment</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Freedom_of_religion_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Freedom of religion in Saudi Arabia">Freedom of religion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Human_rights_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Human rights in Saudi Arabia">Human rights</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Women%27s_rights_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Women's rights in Saudi Arabia">Women's rights</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="LGBT rights in Saudi Arabia">LGBT rights</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Committee_for_the_Promotion_of_Virtue_and_the_Prevention_of_Vice_(Saudi_Arabia)" title="Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Arabia)">Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice</a></li></ul> <p><br /> </p> </div></div></div></td> </tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content"> <div class="sidebar-list mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="sidebar-list-title" style="color: var(--color-base)">Recent <a href="/wiki/Elections_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Elections in Saudi Arabia">elections</a></div><div class="sidebar-list-content mw-collapsible-content" style="padding-top:0;text-align:left;"> <ul><li><div class="hlist"><ul><li>Municipal: <a href="/wiki/2005_Saudi_Arabian_municipal_elections" title="2005 Saudi Arabian municipal elections">2005</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/2011_Saudi_Arabian_municipal_elections" title="2011 Saudi Arabian municipal elections">2011</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/2015_Saudi_Arabian_municipal_elections" title="2015 Saudi Arabian municipal elections">2015</a></li></ul></div></li></ul></div></div></td> </tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content"> <div class="sidebar-list mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="sidebar-list-title" style="color: var(--color-base)"><a href="/wiki/Administrative_divisions_of_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="Administrative divisions of Saudi Arabia">Administrative divisions</a></div><div class="sidebar-list-content mw-collapsible-content" style="padding-top:0;text-align:left;;text-align:center;"><div class="hlist"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Regions_of_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="Regions of Saudi Arabia">Regions</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Governorates_of_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="Governorates of Saudi Arabia">Governorates</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></td> </tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content"> <div class="sidebar-list mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="sidebar-list-title" style="color: var(--color-base)"><a href="/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia">Foreign relations</a></div><div class="sidebar-list-content mw-collapsible-content" style="padding-top:0;text-align:left;"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_(Saudi_Arabia)" title="Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Saudi Arabia)">Ministry of Foreign Affairs</a> <dl><dd>Minister of Foreign Affairs: <a href="/wiki/Faisal_bin_Farhan_Al_Saud" title="Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud">Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud</a></dd> <dd>Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs: <a href="/wiki/Abdul_Aziz_bin_Abdullah" class="mw-redirect" title="Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah">Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah</a></dd> <dd>Minister of State for Foreign Affairs: <a href="/wiki/Adel_al-Jubeir" title="Adel al-Jubeir">Adel al-Jubeir</a></dd></dl></li></ul> <hr /> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/List_of_diplomatic_missions_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="List of diplomatic missions of Saudi Arabia">Diplomatic missions of</a> / <a href="/wiki/List_of_diplomatic_missions_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="List of diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia">in Saudi Arabia</a></li></ul> <hr /> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabian_nationality_law" title="Saudi Arabian nationality law">Nationality law</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Saudi_passport" title="Saudi passport">Passport</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Saudi_citizens" title="Visa requirements for Saudi citizens">Visa requirements</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Visa policy of Saudi Arabia">Visa policy</a></li></ul></div></div></td> </tr><tr><td class="sidebar-below"> <span class="nowrap"><span class="mw-image-border noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="flag" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg/32px-Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg.png" decoding="async" width="32" height="21" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg/48px-Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg/64px-Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="900" data-file-height="600" /></span></span> </span><a href="/wiki/Portal:Saudi_Arabia" title="Portal:Saudi Arabia">Saudi Arabia portal</a> <div class="hlist" style="text-align:center;font-weight:normal;"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Outline_of_political_science#Politics_by_region" title="Outline of political science">Other countries</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-navbar"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239400231">.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:inline;font-size:88%;font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .navbar-collapse{float:left;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .navbar-boxtext{word-spacing:0}.mw-parser-output .navbar ul{display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;line-height:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::before{margin-right:-0.125em;content:"[ "}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::after{margin-left:-0.125em;content:" ]"}.mw-parser-output .navbar li{word-spacing:-0.125em}.mw-parser-output .navbar a>span,.mw-parser-output .navbar a>abbr{text-decoration:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-mini abbr{font-variant:small-caps;border-bottom:none;text-decoration:none;cursor:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-full{font-size:114%;margin:0 7em}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-mini{font-size:114%;margin:0 4em}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}}@media print{.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:none!important}}</style><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Template:Politics of Saudi Arabia"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Template talk:Politics of Saudi Arabia"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Politics of Saudi Arabia"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>The <b>politics of <a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabia" title="Saudi Arabia">Saudi Arabia</a></b> takes place in the context of a <a href="/wiki/Unitary_state" title="Unitary state">unitary</a> <a href="/wiki/Absolute_monarchy" title="Absolute monarchy">absolute monarchy</a>, along traditional <a href="/wiki/Islamic_state" title="Islamic state">Islamist</a> lines, where the <a href="/wiki/King_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="King of Saudi Arabia">King</a> is both the <a href="/wiki/Head_of_state" title="Head of state">head of state</a> and <a href="/wiki/Head_of_government" title="Head of government">government</a>. Decisions are, to a large extent, made on the basis of consultation among the King, the <a href="/wiki/Council_of_Ministers_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia">Council of Ministers</a>, <a href="/wiki/Ulama" title="Ulama">Islamic scholars</a> (until the mid-2010s), tribal leaders, and other traditional elites of the society. Saudi government is <a href="/wiki/Authoritarian" class="mw-redirect" title="Authoritarian">authoritarian</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>d<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> although some analysts have characterized the government of <a href="/wiki/Mohammed_bin_Salman" title="Mohammed bin Salman">Mohammed bin Salman</a> as <a href="/wiki/Totalitarian" class="mw-redirect" title="Totalitarian">totalitarian</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>e<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The <a href="/wiki/Crown_Prince_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia">Crown Prince</a> and <a href="/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia">Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia</a>, Mohammed bin Salman, is the <i>de facto</i> ruler of Saudi Arabia. Under his rule, he has centralized policymaking, purged competing political elites, and dismantled pre-existing power-sharing dynamics.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The <a href="/wiki/Basic_Law_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Basic Law of Saudi Arabia">Basic Law of Saudi Arabia</a> contains many characteristics of what might be called a constitution in other countries. The <a href="/wiki/Qur%27an" class="mw-redirect" title="Qur'an">Qur'an</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Sunnah" title="Sunnah">Sunnah</a> is declared as the official constitution of the country. The kingdom's governance is officially proclaimed to be conducted on the basis of <a href="/wiki/Sharia" title="Sharia">Islamic law (Shari'a)</a>. The <a href="/wiki/Allegiance_Council" title="Allegiance Council">Allegiance Council</a> is responsible to determine the new King and the new Crown Prince. All citizens of full age have a right to attend, meet, and petition the king directly through the traditional tribal meeting known as the <a href="/wiki/Majlis" title="Majlis">majlis</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Cavendish_7-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Cavendish-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The government is dominated by the vast royal family, the <a href="/wiki/House_of_Saud" title="House of Saud">Al Saud</a>, which has often been divided by internal disputes and into factions. The members of the family are the principal political actors allowed by the government. Political participation outside the royal family is limited. Saudi Arabia is one of only four countries (the other being <a href="/wiki/Vatican_City" title="Vatican City">Vatican City</a>, <a href="/wiki/Brunei" title="Brunei">Brunei</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Afghanistan" title="Afghanistan">Afghanistan</a>) that does not have a separate <a href="/wiki/Legislature" title="Legislature">legislative body</a>. </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Constitution">Constitution</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Constitution"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Iqra.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Iqra.jpg/200px-Iqra.jpg" decoding="async" width="200" height="151" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Iqra.jpg/300px-Iqra.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Iqra.jpg/400px-Iqra.jpg 2x" data-file-width="550" data-file-height="416" /></a><figcaption>Verses from the Qur'an, the official constitution of the country</figcaption></figure> <p>Saudi Arabia is an <a href="/wiki/Absolute_monarchy" title="Absolute monarchy">absolute monarchy</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Cavendish78_8-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Cavendish78-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> According to the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia, the country's <i>de facto</i> constitution adopted by royal decree in 1992, the king must comply with Sharia (that is, Islamic law) and the <a href="/wiki/Qur%27an" class="mw-redirect" title="Qur'an">Qur'an</a>. The Qur'an and the <a href="/wiki/Sunnah" title="Sunnah">Sunnah</a> are declared to be the <i>de jure</i> country's constitution.<sup id="cite_ref-Gerhard_9-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Gerhard-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> There is no legally binding written constitution and the Qur'an and the Sunna remain subject to interpretation. This is carried out by the <a href="/wiki/Council_of_Senior_Scholars_(Saudi_Arabia)" title="Council of Senior Scholars (Saudi Arabia)">Council of Senior Scholars</a>, the Saudi religious establishment,<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> although the power of the religious establishment has been significantly eroded in the 2010s.<sup id="cite_ref-:3_11-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:3-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The government of Saudi Arabia is led by the monarch, <a href="/wiki/Salman_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Salman of Saudi Arabia">King Salman</a>, who acceded to the throne on 23 January 2015. No political parties or national elections are permitted,<sup id="cite_ref-Cavendish_7-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Cavendish-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and according to <i><a href="/wiki/The_Economist" title="The Economist">The Economist</a></i><span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'</span>s <a href="/wiki/Democracy_Index" class="mw-redirect" title="Democracy Index">Democracy Index</a>, the Saudi government was the eighteenth-most authoritarian regime among the 167 countries rated in 2022, being at it lowest score in 2012 and at its highest from 2020 to 2022.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Government is dominated by the royal family.<sup id="cite_ref-LoC_13-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-LoC-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="The_King">The King</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: The King"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236090951">.mw-parser-output .hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/King_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="King of Saudi Arabia">King of Saudi Arabia</a></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">See also: <a href="/wiki/Succession_to_the_Saudi_Arabian_throne" title="Succession to the Saudi Arabian throne">Succession to the Saudi Arabian throne</a></div> <p>The Basic Law specifies that the king must be chosen from among the sons of the first king, <a href="/wiki/Ibn_Saud_of_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia">Abdulaziz Al Saud</a>, and their male descendants<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> subject to the subsequent approval of leaders (the <a href="/wiki/Ulama" title="Ulama">ulama</a>).<sup id="cite_ref-Cavendish78_8-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Cavendish78-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In 2007, an "<a href="/wiki/Allegiance_Council" title="Allegiance Council">Allegiance Council</a>" was created, consisting of King Abdulaziz's surviving sons plus a son of each of his deceased sons, to determine who will be the heir apparent (the Crown Prince) after the previous heir apparent dies or accedes to the throne.<sup id="cite_ref-Economist_Succession_15-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Economist_Succession-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Mohammad_bin_Salman" class="mw-redirect" title="Mohammad bin Salman">Prince Mohammad bin Salman</a> is the current Crown Prince, and is widely regarded as the country's <i><a href="/wiki/De_facto" title="De facto">de facto</a></i> ruler.<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-17"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-18"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <figure class="mw-halign-left" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Salman_bin_Abdull_aziz_December_9,_2013.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Salman_bin_Abdull_aziz_December_9%2C_2013.jpg/220px-Salman_bin_Abdull_aziz_December_9%2C_2013.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="224" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Salman_bin_Abdull_aziz_December_9%2C_2013.jpg/330px-Salman_bin_Abdull_aziz_December_9%2C_2013.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Salman_bin_Abdull_aziz_December_9%2C_2013.jpg/440px-Salman_bin_Abdull_aziz_December_9%2C_2013.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1360" data-file-height="1386" /></a><figcaption><a href="/wiki/Salman_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Salman of Saudi Arabia">King Salman</a> of Saudi Arabia (<span style="white-space:nowrap;"><abbr title="reigned">r.</abbr> 2015–present</span>)</figcaption></figure> <p>The king combines legislative, executive, and judicial functions<sup id="cite_ref-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia_20-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and royal decrees form the basis of the country's legislation.<sup id="cite_ref-Campbell_21-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Campbell-21"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The king is also the prime minister and presides over <a href="/wiki/Council_of_Ministers_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia">the Council of Ministers (Majlis al-Wuzarāʾ)</a>, which comprises the first and second deputy prime ministers (usually the first and second in line to the throne respectively), 23 ministers with portfolio, and five ministers of state.<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-22"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>17<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The king makes appointments to and dismissals from the council, which is responsible for such executive and administrative matters as foreign and domestic policy, defense, finance, health, and education, administered through numerous separate agencies.<sup id="cite_ref-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia_20-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> There is also a 150-member <a href="/wiki/Consultative_Assembly_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia">Consultative Assembly</a>, appointed by the King,<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-23"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>18<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> which can propose legislation to the King but has no legislative powers itself,<sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-24"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> including no role in budget formation. The government budget itself is not fully disclosed to the public. "Fully 40%" ... is labeled 'Other sectors' (including defense, security, intelligence, direct investment of the kingdom's revenues outside the country, and how much goes directly to the royal family).<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-25"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>20<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-lacey-251_26-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-lacey-251-26"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>21<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Although in theory, the country is an <a href="/wiki/Absolute_monarchy" title="Absolute monarchy">absolute monarchy</a>, in practice major policy decisions are made outside these formal governmental structures and not solely by the king. Decisions are made by establishing a consensus within the royal family (comprising the numerous descendants of the kingdom's founder, <a href="/wiki/Ibn_Saud_of_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia">King Abdulaziz</a>). Also, the views of important members of Saudi society, including the <a href="/wiki/Ulama" title="Ulama">ulama</a> (religious scholars), leading tribal sheiks, and heads of prominent commercial families are considered.<sup id="cite_ref-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia_20-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>As an absolute monarchy, the personality and capabilities of the reigning monarch influence the politics and national policies of the country. <a href="/wiki/Saud_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Saud of Saudi Arabia">King Saud</a> (<span style="white-space:nowrap;"><abbr title="reigned">r.</abbr> 1953–1964</span>) was considered incompetent and extravagant and his reign led to an economic and political crisis that resulted in his forced abdication.<sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-27"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>22<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Faisal_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Faisal of Saudi Arabia">King Faisal</a> (<span style="white-space:nowrap;"><abbr title="reigned">r.</abbr> 1964–1975</span>) was a "modernist" who favored economic, technological and governmental progress but was also politically and religiously conservative. He directed the country's rapid economic and bureaucratic development of the early 1970s, but also made concessions to the religious establishment, and abandoned plans to broaden political participation.<sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-28"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>23<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Khalid_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Khalid of Saudi Arabia">King Khalid</a> (<span style="white-space:nowrap;"><abbr title="reigned">r.</abbr> 1975–1982</span>) left government largely to his Crown Prince, <a href="/wiki/Fahd_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Fahd of Saudi Arabia">Fahd</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-29"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>24<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> who succeeded him as King (<span style="white-space:nowrap;"><abbr title="reigned">r.</abbr> 1982–2005</span>). Prince Fahd was a talented administrator who initiated significant industrial development in the Kingdom. He was regarded by many as the "father of the country's modernization".<sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-30"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>25<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> However, during the last 10 years of his reign, ill health prevented him from fully functioning. In the absence of a king who could provide strong central leadership, the state structure began to fragment<sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-31"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>26<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and the country stagnated.<sup id="cite_ref-32" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-32"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>27<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Abdullah_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Abdullah of Saudi Arabia">King Abdullah</a> (<span style="white-space:nowrap;"><abbr title="reigned">r.</abbr> 2005–2015</span>) was seen as a reformer<sup id="cite_ref-33" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-33"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>28<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and introduced economic reforms (limited deregulation, encouragement of foreign investment, and privatization) and made modernizing changes to the judiciary and government ministries.<sup id="cite_ref-34" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-34"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>29<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Royal_family">Royal family</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Royal family"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/House_of_Saud" title="House of Saud">House of Saud</a></div> <p>The royal family dominates the political system. The family's vast numbers allow it to hold most of the kingdom's important posts and to have an involvement and presence at all levels of government.<sup id="cite_ref-LoC_13-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-LoC-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The number of princes is estimated to be anything from 7,000 upwards, with the most power and influence being wielded by the 200 or so male descendants of <a href="/wiki/Ibn_Saud_of_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia">King Abdulaziz</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FT_Saud_35-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FT_Saud-35"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>30<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The key ministries have historically been reserved for the royal family,<sup id="cite_ref-Cavendish78_8-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Cavendish78-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> as are the thirteen regional governorships.<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-36"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>31<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> With the large number of family members seeking well-paying jobs, critics complain that even "middle management" jobs in the Kingdom are out of reach for non-royal Saudis, limiting upward mobility and incentive for commoners to excel.<sup id="cite_ref-37" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-37"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>32<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The one exception to this rule was <a href="/wiki/Khaled_al-Tuwaijri" title="Khaled al-Tuwaijri">Khaled al-Tuwaijri</a>, Secretary-General of the Court and King Abdullah's <i><a href="/wiki/%C3%89minence_grise" title="Éminence grise">éminence grise</a></i>. He was a commoner and immensely powerful, which meant he was despised by most royals, especially the Sideris, who sacked him as soon as the old king died. </p><p>Long term political and government appointments result in the creation of "power fiefdoms" for senior princes.<sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-38"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>33<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Examples include: <a href="/wiki/Abdullah_bin_Abdul_Aziz" class="mw-redirect" title="Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz">King Abdullah</a>, who was the Commander of the <a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabian_National_Guard" title="Saudi Arabian National Guard">National Guard</a> from 1963 until 2010, when he then appointed his son to replace him;<sup id="cite_ref-39" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-39"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>34<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Crown <a href="/wiki/Prince_Sultan" class="mw-redirect" title="Prince Sultan">Prince Sultan</a> was Minister of Defense and Aviation from 1962 to 2011; Crown <a href="/wiki/Nayef_bin_Abdul_Aziz" class="mw-redirect" title="Nayef bin Abdul Aziz">Prince Nayef</a> was the Minister of Interior from 1975 until his death in 2012; <a href="/wiki/Saud_bin_Faisal_bin_Abdul_Aziz" class="mw-redirect" title="Saud bin Faisal bin Abdul Aziz">Prince Saud</a> had been Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1975 to just before his death in 2015;<sup id="cite_ref-bio_40-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bio-40"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>35<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and <a href="/wiki/Salman_bin_Abdul_Aziz" class="mw-redirect" title="Salman bin Abdul Aziz">King Salman</a> was the Governor of the <a href="/wiki/Riyadh" title="Riyadh">Riyadh</a> Region from 1962 to 2011.<sup id="cite_ref-41" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-41"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>36<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In the absence of national elections and political parties,<sup id="cite_ref-Cavendish78_8-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Cavendish78-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> politics in Saudi Arabia takes place in two distinct arenas: within the royal family, the Al Saud, and between the royal family and the rest of Saudi society.<sup id="cite_ref-Noreng97_42-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Noreng97-42"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>37<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The royal family is politically divided by factions based on clan loyalties, personal ambitions, and ideological differences.<sup id="cite_ref-Noreng97_42-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Noreng97-42"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>37<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The most powerful clan faction is known as the '<a href="/wiki/Sudairi" class="mw-redirect" title="Sudairi">Sudairi Seven</a>', comprising the late King Fahd and his full brothers and their descendants.<sup id="cite_ref-Economist_Succession_15-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Economist_Succession-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Ideological divisions include issues over the speed and direction of reform,<sup id="cite_ref-Kostiner236_43-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Kostiner236-43"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>38<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and whether the role of the <a href="/wiki/Ulama" title="Ulama">ulama</a> should be increased or reduced. There were also divisions within the family over who should succeed Crown Prince Sultan.<sup id="cite_ref-Economist_Succession_15-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Economist_Succession-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-David33_44-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-David33-44"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>39<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Leading figures in the royal family with differing ideological orientations included <a href="/wiki/Nayef_bin_Abdulaziz_Al_Saud" class="mw-redirect" title="Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud">Prince Nayef</a>, the late Interior Minister, and <a href="/wiki/Saud_bin_Faisal_bin_Abdulaziz" class="mw-redirect" title="Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz">Prince Saud Al-Faisal</a>, the Foreign Minister. Prince Nayef was personally committed to maintaining Saudi Arabia's conservative Wahhabi values. Of the senior princes, he was probably the least comfortable with King Abdullah's desire for reform. Following the <a href="/wiki/9/11" class="mw-redirect" title="9/11">11 September 2001 attacks</a> in the United States, perpetrated mostly by Saudi nationals, Prince Nayef was strongly criticized by the U.S. for his reaction. It also took pressure from within the royal family for him to launch a hunt for Islamist militants who had attacked Western targets in Saudi Arabia. By contrast, Prince Saud Al Faisal is one of the strongest supporters of political and social reform.<sup id="cite_ref-45" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-45"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>40<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> For example, he (as well as King Abdullah) has spoken in favor of women having the right to vote, to follow the career path they wish, and to be able to drive a car. Women would be able to vote in municipal elections beginning in 2012.<sup id="cite_ref-46" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-46"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>41<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-47" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>42<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="The_influence_of_the_ulama">The influence of the ulama</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: The influence of the ulama"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The significance of the <a href="/wiki/Ulama" title="Ulama">ulama</a> (the body of Islamic religious leaders and jurists) is derived from the central role of religion in Saudi society. It has been said that Islam is more than a religion, it is a way of life in Saudi Arabia, and, as a result, the influence of the ulama is pervasive.<sup id="cite_ref-48" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-48"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>43<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Saudi Arabia is almost unique in giving the ulama a direct role in government,<sup id="cite_ref-Goldstein118_49-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Goldstein118-49"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>44<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> the only other example being <a href="/wiki/Iran" title="Iran">Iran</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-50" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-50"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Prior to 1971, a council of senior ulama advising the king was headed by the <a href="/wiki/Grand_Mufti" title="Grand Mufti">Grand Mufti</a> and met informally. In that year, the council was formalized in a <a href="/wiki/Council_of_Senior_Scholars_(Saudi_Arabia)" title="Council of Senior Scholars (Saudi Arabia)">Council of Senior Scholars</a>, appointed by the king and with salaries paid by the government.<sup id="cite_ref-ComingStorm_51-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ComingStorm-51"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>46<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Not only is royal succession subject to the approval of the ulama,<sup id="cite_ref-Cavendish78_8-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Cavendish78-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> so are all new laws (royal decrees).<sup id="cite_ref-Goldstein118_49-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Goldstein118-49"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>44<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The ulama have also influenced major executive decisions, for example the imposition of the <a href="/wiki/1973_Oil_Crisis" class="mw-redirect" title="1973 Oil Crisis">oil embargo in 1973</a> and the <a href="/wiki/1990_Gulf_War" class="mw-redirect" title="1990 Gulf War">invitation of foreign troops to Saudi Arabia in 1990</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-meforum.org_52-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-meforum.org-52"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>47<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> It plays a major role in the judicial and education systems<sup id="cite_ref-53" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-53"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>48<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and has a monopoly of authority in the sphere of religious and social morals.<sup id="cite_ref-Hassner_54-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Hassner-54"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>49<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>By the 1970s, as a result of oil wealth and the modernization of the country initiated by King Faisal, important changes to Saudi society were under way and the power of the ulama was in decline.<sup id="cite_ref-55" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-55"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>50<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> However, this changed following <a href="/wiki/Grand_Mosque_Seizure" class="mw-redirect" title="Grand Mosque Seizure">the seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 1979</a> by <a href="/wiki/Islamist" class="mw-redirect" title="Islamist">Islamist</a> radicals.<sup id="cite_ref-Abir21_56-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Abir21-56"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>51<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The government's response to the crisis included strengthening the ulama's powers and increasing their financial support:<sup id="cite_ref-Hegghammer24_57-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Hegghammer24-57"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>52<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> in particular, they were given greater control over the education system<sup id="cite_ref-Abir21_56-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Abir21-56"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>51<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and allowed to enforce stricter observance of <a href="/wiki/Wahhabism" title="Wahhabism">Wahhabi</a> rules of moral and social behaviour.<sup id="cite_ref-Hegghammer24_57-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Hegghammer24-57"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>52<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Following his accession to the throne in 2005, <a href="/wiki/Abdullah_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Abdullah of Saudi Arabia">King Abdullah</a> took steps to rein back the powers of the ulama, for instance transferring their control over girls' education to the Ministry of Education.<sup id="cite_ref-NYT_Abdullah_58-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-NYT_Abdullah-58"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>53<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The ulama have historically been led by the <a href="/wiki/Al_ash-Sheikh" title="Al ash-Sheikh">Al ash-Sheikh</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-59" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-59"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>54<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> the country's leading religious family.<sup id="cite_ref-Hassner_54-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Hassner-54"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>49<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The Al ash-Sheikh are the descendants of <a href="/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Abd_al-Wahhab" title="Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab">Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab</a>, the 18th century founder of the <a href="/wiki/Wahhabi" class="mw-redirect" title="Wahhabi">Wahhabi</a> form of <a href="/wiki/Sunni_Islam" title="Sunni Islam">Sunni Islam</a> which is today dominant in Saudi Arabia.<sup id="cite_ref-60" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>55<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The family is second in prestige only to the Al Saud (the royal family)<sup id="cite_ref-Long11_61-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Long11-61"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>56<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> with whom they formed a "mutual support pact"<sup id="cite_ref-IBP_62-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IBP-62"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>57<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and power-sharing arrangement nearly 300 years ago.<sup id="cite_ref-meforum.org_52-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-meforum.org-52"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>47<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The pact, which persists to this day,<sup id="cite_ref-IBP_62-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IBP-62"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>57<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> is based on the Al Saud maintaining the Al ash-Sheikh's authority in religious matters and upholding and propagating Wahhabi doctrine. In return, the Al ash-Sheikh support the Al Saud's political authority <sup id="cite_ref-63" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-63"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> thereby using its religious-moral authority to legitimize the royal family's rule.<sup id="cite_ref-64" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-64"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>59<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Although the Al ash-Sheikh's domination of the ulama has diminished in recent decades,<sup id="cite_ref-Mattar_65-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Mattar-65"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>60<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> they still hold the most important religious posts and are closely linked to the Al Saud by a high degree of intermarriage.<sup id="cite_ref-Hassner_54-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Hassner-54"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>49<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Corruption">Corruption</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Corruption"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Corruption is widespread in Saudi Arabia, most prevalent in the form of <a href="/wiki/Nepotism" title="Nepotism">nepotism</a>, the use of middlemen, '<a href="/wiki/Wasta" title="Wasta">wasta</a>', to do business as well as patronage systems.<sup id="cite_ref-66" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-66"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>61<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The Saudi government and the royal family have often, and over many years, been accused of corruption.<sup id="cite_ref-67" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-67"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>62<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In a country that is said to "belong" to the royal family and is <a href="/wiki/Etymology_of_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="Etymology of Saudi Arabia">named after it</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-Kamrava_68-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Kamrava-68"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>63<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> the lines between state assets and the personal wealth of senior princes are blurred.<sup id="cite_ref-FT_Saud_35-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FT_Saud-35"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>30<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The corruption has been described as systemic<sup id="cite_ref-69" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-69"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>64<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and endemic,<sup id="cite_ref-70" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-70"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>65<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and its existence was acknowledged<sup id="cite_ref-71" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-71"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>66<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and defended<sup id="cite_ref-72" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-72"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>67<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> by <a href="/wiki/Bandar_bin_Sultan_Al_Saud" title="Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud">Prince Bandar bin Sultan</a> (a senior member of the royal family)<sup id="cite_ref-73" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-73"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>68<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> in an interview in 2001.<sup id="cite_ref-PBS_74-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-PBS-74"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>69<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Although corruption allegations have often been limited to broad undocumented accusations,<sup id="cite_ref-75" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-75"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>70<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> specific allegations were made in 2007, when it was claimed that the British defence contractor <a href="/wiki/BAE_Systems" title="BAE Systems">BAE Systems</a> had paid Prince Bandar US$2 billion in bribes relating to the <a href="/wiki/Al-Yamamah_arms_deal" title="Al-Yamamah arms deal">Al-Yamamah arms deal</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-76" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-76"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>71<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Prince Bandar denied the allegations.<sup id="cite_ref-77" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-77"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>72<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Investigations by both US and UK authorities resulted, in 2010, in <a href="/wiki/Plea_bargain" title="Plea bargain">plea bargain</a> agreements with the company, by which it paid $447 million in fines but did not admit to bribery.<sup id="cite_ref-78" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-78"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>73<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Transparency_International" title="Transparency International">Transparency International</a> in its annual <a href="/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index" title="Corruption Perceptions Index">Corruption Perceptions Index</a> for 2010 gave Saudi Arabia a score of 4.4 (on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 is "highly corrupt" and 10 is "very clean").<sup id="cite_ref-79" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-79"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>74<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>During the <a href="/wiki/2017%E2%80%932019_Saudi_Arabian_purge" title="2017–2019 Saudi Arabian purge">2017 Saudi Arabian anti-corruption arrests</a> on 5 November, 11 princes and dozens of former ministers were detained in a new anti-corruption probe in Saudi Arabia. Among those detained include prominent billionaire investor Prince <a href="/wiki/Al-Waleed_bin_Talal" class="mw-redirect" title="Al-Waleed bin Talal">Al-Waleed bin Talal</a>, National Guard Minister Miteb bin Abdullah and Economy and Planning Minister Adel Fakeih. The official line is that the purge was in response to corrupt practices by the accused and that the anti-corruption committee has the right to issue arrest warrants, impose travel restrictions, and freeze bank accounts. It is also empowered to investigate financials and freeze assets until cases are decided on. The Royal proclamation further said, "due to the propensity of some people for abuse, putting their interest above public interest, and stealing public funds."<sup id="cite_ref-80" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-80"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>75<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In 2018, Saudi Arabian journalist <a href="/wiki/Jamal_Khashoggi" title="Jamal Khashoggi">Jamal Khashoggi</a> was <a href="/wiki/Assassination_of_Jamal_Khashoggi" title="Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi">kidnapped and killed</a> after he criticized the Saudi government.<sup id="cite_ref-81" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-81"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>76<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On 6 March 2020, the <a href="/wiki/Crown_Prince_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia">Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia</a> <a href="/wiki/Mohammed_bin_Salman" title="Mohammed bin Salman">Mohammed bin Salman</a> detained three senior royal members, including <a href="/wiki/King_Salman" class="mw-redirect" title="King Salman">King Salman</a>'s brother <a href="/wiki/Ahmed_bin_Abdulaziz_Al_Saud" title="Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud">Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz</a>, the former crown prince <a href="/wiki/Muhammad_bin_Nayef" title="Muhammad bin Nayef">Muhammed bin Nayef</a>, and his younger brother, to eliminate the risk of potential successors of the throne.<sup id="cite_ref-82" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-82"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>77<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On 15 March 2020, Saudi Arabia conducted another mass-detention campaign and arrested 298 government employees out of the 674 people investigated on suspicion of corruption. The detainees included current and retired military officers, security officers under the <a href="/wiki/Ministry_of_Interior_(Saudi_Arabia)" title="Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia)">Interior Ministry</a>, health officials, and judges. The mass-detention raised human rights concerns, where the <a href="/wiki/Human_Rights_Watch" title="Human Rights Watch">Human Rights Watch</a> called for the revelation of the legal and evidentiary basis for each person's detention.<sup id="cite_ref-83" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-83"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>78<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On 6 August 2020, former top Saudi Intelligence official <a href="/wiki/Saad_bin_Khalid_Al_Jabry" class="mw-redirect" title="Saad bin Khalid Al Jabry">Saad AlJabri</a>, who self-exiled in <a href="/wiki/Canada" title="Canada">Canada</a>, filed a lawsuit against <a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabia" title="Saudi Arabia">Saudi Arabia</a>'s Crown Prince, <a href="/wiki/Mohammed_bin_Salman" title="Mohammed bin Salman">Mohammed bin Salman</a>, and other high-ranking officials. The lawsuit was filed at the <a href="/wiki/Washington,_D.C." title="Washington, D.C.">Washington, D.C.</a> court under the <a href="/wiki/Torture_Victim_Protection_Act_of_1991" title="Torture Victim Protection Act of 1991">Torture Victim Protection Act</a>, accusing the crown prince of sending a hit squad, dubbed "<a href="/wiki/Tiger_Squad" title="Tiger Squad">Tiger Squad</a>", in October 2018 for his <a href="/wiki/Extrajudicial_killing" title="Extrajudicial killing">extrajudicial killing</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-84" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-84"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>79<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In March 2021, more than 240 people were arrested in Saudi Arabia for corruption. Employees from the ministries of interior, health, municipal and rural affairs and housing, education, and human resources and social development, customs and the postal story were arrested.<sup id="cite_ref-85" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-85"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>80<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Reform">Reform</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Reform"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Since the <a href="/wiki/9/11" class="mw-redirect" title="9/11">9/11</a> attacks in 2001, there has been mounting pressure to reform and modernize the royal family's rule, an agenda championed by King Abdullah both before and after his accession in 2005. The creation of the Consultative Council in the early 1990s did not satisfy demands for political participation, and, in 2003, an annual <i>National Dialogue Forum</i> was announced that would allow selected professionals and intellectuals to publicly debate current national issues, within certain prescribed parameters. In 2005, the first municipal elections were held. In 2007, the <a href="/wiki/Allegiance_Council" title="Allegiance Council">Allegiance Council</a> was created to regulate the succession.<sup id="cite_ref-Al-Rasheed242_86-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Al-Rasheed242-86"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>81<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In 2009, the king made significant personnel changes to the government by appointing reformers to key positions and the first woman to a ministerial post.<sup id="cite_ref-87" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-87"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>82<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> However, the changes have been criticized as being too slow or merely cosmetic,<sup id="cite_ref-88" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-88"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>83<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and the royal family is reportedly divided on the speed and direction of reform.<sup id="cite_ref-Kostiner236_43-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Kostiner236-43"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>38<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In 2011, Abdullah announced that women will be able to be nominated to the <a href="/wiki/Consultative_Assembly_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia">Shura Council</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-oman_observer_electionday_89-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-oman_observer_electionday-89"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>84<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Politics_outside_of_the_royal_family">Politics outside of the royal family</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Politics outside of the royal family"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">See also: <a href="/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="List of political parties in Saudi Arabia">List of political parties in Saudi Arabia</a></div> <p>Politics in Saudi Arabia, outside the royal family, can be examined in three contexts: the extent to which the royal family allows political participation by the wider Saudi society, opposition to the regime, and Islamist terrorism. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Political_participation">Political participation</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: Political participation"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Shura_Council_in_Saudi_Arabia.jpeg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Shura_Council_in_Saudi_Arabia.jpeg/220px-Shura_Council_in_Saudi_Arabia.jpeg" decoding="async" width="220" height="148" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Shura_Council_in_Saudi_Arabia.jpeg/330px-Shura_Council_in_Saudi_Arabia.jpeg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Shura_Council_in_Saudi_Arabia.jpeg 2x" data-file-width="396" data-file-height="266" /></a><figcaption>The <a href="/wiki/Consultative_Assembly_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia">Consultative Assembly</a> at <a href="/wiki/Al_Yamamah_Palace" title="Al Yamamah Palace">Al Yamamah Palace</a> in <a href="/wiki/Riyadh" title="Riyadh">Riyadh</a></figcaption></figure> <p>Outside the House of Al Saud, participation in the political process is limited to a relatively small segment of the population and takes the form of the royal family consulting with the ulama, tribal sheiks, and members of important commercial families on major decisions.<sup id="cite_ref-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia_20-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> This process is not reported by the Saudi media.<sup id="cite_ref-90" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-90"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>85<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In theory, all males of the age of majority have a right to petition the king directly through the traditional tribal meeting known as the <i><a href="/wiki/Majlis" title="Majlis">majlis</a></i>.<sup id="cite_ref-Cavendish92_91-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Cavendish92-91"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>86<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In many ways, the approach to government differs little from the traditional system of tribal rule. Tribal identity remains strong and, outside the royal family, political influence is frequently determined by tribal affiliation, with tribal sheiks maintaining a considerable degree of influence over local and national events.<sup id="cite_ref-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia_20-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In recent years there have been limited steps to widen political participation, such as the establishment of the <a href="/wiki/Consultative_Assembly_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia">Consultative Council</a> in the early 1990s and the National Dialogue Forum in 2003.<sup id="cite_ref-Al-Rasheed242_86-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Al-Rasheed242-86"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>81<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Opposition_to_the_royal_family">Opposition to the royal family</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: Opposition to the royal family"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">See also: <a href="/wiki/Human_rights_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Human rights in Saudi Arabia">Human rights in Saudi Arabia</a> and <a href="/wiki/Censorship_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Censorship in Saudi Arabia">Censorship in Saudi Arabia</a></div> <p>The rule of the Al Saud faces political opposition from four sources: <a href="/wiki/Sunni" class="mw-redirect" title="Sunni">Sunni</a> <a href="/wiki/Islamist" class="mw-redirect" title="Islamist">Islamist</a> activism, liberal critics, including an underground green party, the <a href="/wiki/Shia_Islam_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Shia Islam in Saudi Arabia">Shia minority</a> – particularly in the <a href="/wiki/Eastern_Province,_Saudi_Arabia" title="Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia">Eastern Province</a>; and long-standing tribal and regional particularistic opponents (for example in the <a href="/wiki/Hejaz" title="Hejaz">Hejaz</a>).<sup id="cite_ref-92" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-92"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>87<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Of these, the Islamic activists have been the most prominent threat to the regime and have in recent years perpetrated a number of violent or <a href="/wiki/List_of_militant_incidents_in_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="List of militant incidents in Saudi Arabia">terrorist acts in the country</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Cordesman_2009_93-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Cordesman_2009-93"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>88<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> However, open protest against the government, even if peaceful, is not tolerated. On 29 January 2011, hundreds of protesters gathered in the city of <a href="/wiki/Jeddah" title="Jeddah">Jeddah</a> in a rare display of protest against the city's poor infrastructure after deadly floods swept through the city, killing eleven people.<sup id="cite_ref-Montreal_94-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Montreal-94"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>89<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Police stopped the demonstration after about 15 minutes and arrested 30 to 50 people.<sup id="cite_ref-Reuters_Dozens_detained_95-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Reuters_Dozens_detained-95"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>90<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In March 2018, the crown prince <a href="/wiki/Mohammed_bin_Salman" title="Mohammed bin Salman">Mohammed bin Salman</a> faced severe criticism from British opposition figures during his visit to the <a href="/wiki/United_Kingdom" title="United Kingdom">United Kingdom</a>. Salman was accused of funding extremism in the UK, committing human rights abuses domestically, and breaching international humanitarian law in <a href="/wiki/Yemen" title="Yemen">Yemen</a> with the <a href="/wiki/Yemeni_Civil_War_(2015%E2%80%93present)" class="mw-redirect" title="Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)">on-going war</a>, where millions are on the verge of famine.<sup id="cite_ref-96" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-96"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>91<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Later that year, he was criticized by many other countries after Saudi American journalist <a href="/wiki/Jamal_Khashoggi" title="Jamal Khashoggi">Jamal Khashoggi</a> was murdered. </p><p>On 24 September 2020, a group of dissidents from Saudi Arabia announced the launch of a political party in opposition to <a href="/wiki/King_Salman" class="mw-redirect" title="King Salman">King Salman</a>'s rule. The <a href="/wiki/National_Assembly_Party" title="National Assembly Party">National Assembly Party</a> members were exiled in the US, Britain, and elsewhere at the time of the party's launch from London. The opposition party aims to bring democracy as a form of government in the absolute monarchy and oust the <i>de facto</i> leader of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. The NAP is the first formalized political opposition in King Salman's rule. The country's Basic Law bans the formation of political parties and sanctions sedition and condemnation of the king with long jail terms. The founding members of the National Assembly Party are Activist <a href="/wiki/Yahya_Assiri" title="Yahya Assiri">Yahya Assiri</a>, comedian <a href="/wiki/Omar_Abdulaziz_(vlogger)" title="Omar Abdulaziz (vlogger)">Omar Abdulaziz</a>, Professor <a href="/wiki/Madawi_al-Rasheed" title="Madawi al-Rasheed">Madawi al-Rasheed</a>, and scholar Abdullah al-Aoudh.<sup id="cite_ref-97" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-97"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>92<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Islamist_terrorism">Islamist terrorism</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: Islamist terrorism"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main articles: <a href="/wiki/Islamist_terrorism" class="mw-redirect" title="Islamist terrorism">Islamist terrorism</a>, <a href="/wiki/State-sponsored_terrorism#Saudi_Arabia" title="State-sponsored terrorism">State-sponsored terrorism § Saudi Arabia</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Terrorism_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Terrorism in Saudi Arabia">Terrorism in Saudi Arabia</a></div> <p><a href="/wiki/Osama_bin_Laden" title="Osama bin Laden">Osama bin Laden</a> and 15 out of <a href="/wiki/Hijackers_in_the_September_11_attacks" title="Hijackers in the September 11 attacks">the 19 hijackers</a> of <a href="/wiki/9/11" class="mw-redirect" title="9/11">9/11</a> were Saudi nationals or used to be Saudi nationals<sup id="cite_ref-98" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-98"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>93<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and former <a href="/wiki/CIA" class="mw-redirect" title="CIA">CIA</a> director <a href="/wiki/James_Woolsey" title="James Woolsey">James Woolsey</a> described Saudi Arabian <a href="/wiki/Wahhabism" title="Wahhabism">Wahhabism</a> as "the soil in which <a href="/wiki/Al-Qaeda" title="Al-Qaeda">Al-Qaeda</a> and its sister terrorist organizations are flourishing."<sup id="cite_ref-iags.org_99-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-iags.org-99"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>94<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Arab_Spring_protests">Arab Spring protests</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Arab Spring protests"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/2011%E2%80%9313_Saudi_Arabian_protests" class="mw-redirect" title="2011–13 Saudi Arabian protests">2011–13 Saudi Arabian protests</a></div> <p>Since 2011, Saudi Arabia has been affected by its own Arab Spring protests.<sup id="cite_ref-Fisk_troops_100-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Fisk_troops-100"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>95<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In response, King Abdullah announced on 22 February 2011 a series of benefits for citizens amounting to $36 billion, of which $10.7 billion was earmarked for <a href="/wiki/Housing" title="Housing">housing</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-101" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-101"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>96<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-102" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-102"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>97<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-103" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-103"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>98<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> No political reforms were announced as part of the package, though some prisoners indicted for financial crimes were pardoned.<sup id="cite_ref-AlJazeeraEnglishBenefits_104-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-AlJazeeraEnglishBenefits-104"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>99<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> On 18 March the same year, King Abdullah announced a package of $93 billion, which included 500,000 new homes to a cost of $67 billion, in addition to creating 60,000 new security jobs.<sup id="cite_ref-theguardian.com_105-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-theguardian.com-105"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>100<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-106" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-106"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>101<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The lack of critical thought in the education system has been cited by some as the reason why fewer protests occurred in the Kingdom.<sup id="cite_ref-107" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-107"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>102<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries also sent some policemen to Bahrain to assist police clampdown on protesters within Bahrain. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Regional_government">Regional government</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: Regional government"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The kingdom is divided into <a href="/wiki/Provinces_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Provinces of Saudi Arabia">13 regions or provinces</a> (<i>manāṭiq</i>), which in turn are divided into numerous districts. Regional governors are appointed, usually from the royal family, and preside over one or more municipal councils, half of whose members are appointed and half elected. The governors are responsible for such functions as finance, health, education, agriculture, and municipalities. The consultative principle operates at all levels of government, including the government of villages and tribes.<sup id="cite_ref-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia_20-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The governors act as regional "mini-kings", sitting in <a href="/wiki/Majlis" title="Majlis">majlises</a>, hearing grievances, and settling disputes.<sup id="cite_ref-108" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-108"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>103<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Municipal_elections">Municipal elections</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: Municipal elections"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In February 2005, <a href="/wiki/2005_Saudi_Arabian_municipal_elections" title="2005 Saudi Arabian municipal elections">the first elections in Saudi Arabian history</a> were held. The elections for "virtually powerless" municipal councils were for half the seats (half of each council's seats were appointed). Women were not allowed to stand for office or to vote.<sup id="cite_ref-lacey-267_109-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-lacey-267-109"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>104<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In <a href="/wiki/Riyadh" title="Riyadh">Riyadh</a>, the number of registered voters did not exceed 18% of those eligible to vote, representing only 2% of the city's population. There was evidence of much greater interest in the Shia community of the Eastern Province.<sup id="cite_ref-Al-Rasheed_248-250_110-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Al-Rasheed_248-250-110"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>105<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Women will be allowed to vote beginning in 2012, as King Abdullah announced in the opening speech of the new term of the Shura Council.<sup id="cite_ref-111" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-111"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>106<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In 2005, candidates tended to be local businessmen, activists, and professionals. Although political parties were not permitted, it was possible to identify candidates as having an <a href="/wiki/Islamist" class="mw-redirect" title="Islamist">Islamist</a> orientation, a liberal agenda, or reliant on tribal status. The Islamist candidates tended to be backed by public figures and the religious establishment and won most of the seats in the Saudi cities such as Riyadh, <a href="/wiki/Jeddah" title="Jeddah">Jeddah</a>, <a href="/wiki/Medina" title="Medina">Medina</a>, <a href="/wiki/Tabuk,_Saudi_Arabia" title="Tabuk, Saudi Arabia">Tabuk</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Taif" title="Taif">Taif</a>. Candidates with "Western sympathies or any suspicion of secularism" lost out heavily to "hardline conservatives who were endorsed by the local religious establishment." This demonstrated to some that rather than being a conservative force holding back the country, the royal family was more progressive than the Saudi population as a whole.<sup id="cite_ref-lacey-268_112-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-lacey-268-112"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>107<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In 2007, a Saudi commentator noted that the municipal councils were proving to be powerless. Nevertheless, the elections represented an important step in modernizing the regime.<sup id="cite_ref-Al-Rasheed_248-250_110-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Al-Rasheed_248-250-110"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>105<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Although male-only municipal elections were <a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabian_municipal_elections,_2011" class="mw-redirect" title="Saudi Arabian municipal elections, 2011">held again on 29 September 2011</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-alawsat_details_113-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-alawsat_details-113"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>108<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-bloom_women_114-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bloom_women-114"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>109<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Abdullah announced that women will be able to vote and be elected in the <a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabian_municipal_elections,_2015" class="mw-redirect" title="Saudi Arabian municipal elections, 2015">2015 municipal elections</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-oman_observer_electionday_89-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-oman_observer_electionday-89"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>84<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Political_reform">Political reform</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: Political reform"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In March 1992, <a href="/wiki/Fahd_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Fahd of Saudi Arabia">King Fahd</a> issued several decrees outlining the basic statutes of government and codifying royal succession for the first time. The King's political reform program also provided for the establishment of a national <a href="/wiki/Consultative_Assembly_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia">Consultative Council</a>, with appointed members having advisory powers to review and give advice on issues of public interest. It also outlined a framework for councils at the provincial or emirate level. </p><p>In September 1993, King Fahd issued additional reform decrees, appointing the members of the National Consultative Council and spelling out procedures for the new council's operations. He announced reforms to the Council of Ministers, including term limitations of 4 years and regulations to prohibit conflict of interest for ministers and other high-level officials. The members of 13 provincial councils and the councils' operating regulations were also announced. </p><p>The membership of the Consultative Council was expanded from 60 to 90 members in July 1997, to 120 in May 2001, and to 150 members in 2005. Membership has changed significantly during each expansion of the council, as many members have not been reappointed. The role of the council is gradually expanding as it gains experience. </p><p><a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabia_municipal_elections,_2005" class="mw-redirect" title="Saudi Arabia municipal elections, 2005">Saudi municipal elections</a> took place in 2005 and some journalists saw this as a first tentative step towards the introduction of <a href="/wiki/Democratic_process" class="mw-redirect" title="Democratic process">democratic processes</a> in the Kingdom, including the legalization of political parties. Other analysts of the Saudi political scene were more skeptical.<sup id="cite_ref-115" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-115"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>110<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Islamist candidates, often businessmen, did well, but in practice had little real power.<sup id="cite_ref-116" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-116"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>111<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In 2009, promised new elections and hopes for female suffrage in them were postponed for at least two years.<sup id="cite_ref-117" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-117"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>112<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On 15 February 2009, in a reshuffle <a href="/wiki/Abdullah_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Abdullah of Saudi Arabia">King Abdullah</a> removed <a href="/wiki/Sheikh_Ibrahim_Bin_Abdullah_Al-Ghaith" title="Sheikh Ibrahim Bin Abdullah Al-Ghaith">Sheikh Ibrahim Bin Abdullah Al-Ghaith</a> from his position as President of the <a href="/wiki/Commission_for_the_Promotion_of_Virtue_and_the_Prevention_of_Vice" class="mw-redirect" title="Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice">Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice</a>. He also removed <a href="/wiki/Saleh_Al-Luhaidan" title="Saleh Al-Luhaidan">Sheikh Saleh al-Luhaidan</a> as head of the Supreme Judicial Council and appointed the first female minister.<sup id="cite_ref-118" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-118"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>113<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-119" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-119"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>114<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-120" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-120"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>115<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In his first act as King, <a href="/wiki/Salman_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Salman of Saudi Arabia">Salman</a> removed <a href="/wiki/Khaled_al-Tuwaijri" title="Khaled al-Tuwaijri">Khaled al-Tuwaijri</a>, Abdullah's <i>de facto</i> Prime Minister and <i><a href="/wiki/%C3%89minence_grise" title="Éminence grise">éminence grise</a></i>, replacing him with <a href="/wiki/Mohammed_bin_Nayef" class="mw-redirect" title="Mohammed bin Nayef">Mohammed bin Nayef</a>. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Ministries_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Ministries of Saudi Arabia">Ministries of Saudi Arabia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Committee_for_the_Promotion_of_Virtue_and_the_Prevention_of_Vice_(Saudi_Arabia)" title="Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Arabia)">Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Arabia)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/The_Bees_Army" title="The Bees Army">The Bees Army</a></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Notes">Notes</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=16" title="Edit section: Notes"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist reflist-lower-alpha"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"> <a href="/wiki/Faisal_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Faisal of Saudi Arabia">King Faisal</a> declared the <a href="/wiki/Quran" title="Quran">Quran</a> to be the constitution in 1960. In 1992, <a href="/wiki/Fahd_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Fahd of Saudi Arabia">King Fahd</a> adopted the <a href="/wiki/Basic_Law_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Basic Law of Saudi Arabia">Basic Law</a> as a constitution-like charter for the country. The Basic Law declares that the <a href="/wiki/Quran" title="Quran">Quran</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Sunnah" title="Sunnah">Sunnah</a> are the constitution of Saudi Arabia.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Serves as an advisory body to the king with no <a href="/wiki/Legislature" title="Legislature">legislative power</a>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Since the reign of <a href="/wiki/Faisal_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Faisal of Saudi Arabia">King Faisal</a>, the <a href="/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia">prime minister</a> post has been held by the <a href="/wiki/King_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="King of Saudi Arabia">king</a>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Sources: <ul><li><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite id="CITEREFSchlager,_WeisblattA._Faksh,_Hendrickson2006" class="citation book cs1">Schlager, Weisblatt, Neil, Jayne; A. Faksh, Hendrickson, Mahmud, Mary (2006). "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". <i>World Encyclopedia of Political Systems and Parties</i> (4th ed.). 132 West 31st Street, New York NY 10001, USA: Facts on File. p. 1171. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8160-5953-5" title="Special:BookSources/0-8160-5953-5"><bdi>0-8160-5953-5</bdi></a>. <q>Saudi Arabia is not totalitarian. Travel outside the country is common, political crimes and violence are rare, people are not in constant fear of the police, and the state does not try to take over all existing organizations, such as philanthropic, religious, commercial, and industrial groups. Saudi rulers still see themselves in a parental role, much like a sheikh of a tribe who is in close touch with the concerns of his tribesmen and keeps those concerns in balance. For so long a time, a relatively benign monarchy has ruled over this populace that it has become used to being looked after in this manner. Therefore, until recently, calls for a more open, representative political system did not win wide support.</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.atitle=Kingdom+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.btitle=World+Encyclopedia+of+Political+Systems+and+Parties&rft.place=132+West+31st+Street%2C+New+York+NY+10001%2C+USA&rft.pages=1171&rft.edition=4th&rft.pub=Facts+on+File&rft.date=2006&rft.isbn=0-8160-5953-5&rft.aulast=Schlager%2C+Weisblatt&rft.aufirst=Neil%2C+Jayne&rft.au=A.+Faksh%2C+Hendrickson%2C+Mahmud%2C+Mary&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span><span class="cs1-maint citation-comment"><code class="cs1-code">{{<a href="/wiki/Template:Cite_book" title="Template:Cite book">cite book</a>}}</code>: CS1 maint: location (<a href="/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_location" title="Category:CS1 maint: location">link</a>) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (<a href="/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list" title="Category:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list">link</a>)</span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFOliver_Collin,_L._Martin2013" class="citation book cs1">Oliver Collin, L. Martin, Richard, Pamela (2013). <i>An Introduction to World Politics</i>. United Kingdom: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 269. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4422-1803-1" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-4422-1803-1"><bdi>978-1-4422-1803-1</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=An+Introduction+to+World+Politics&rft.place=United+Kingdom&rft.pages=269&rft.pub=Rowman+%26+Littlefield&rft.date=2013&rft.isbn=978-1-4422-1803-1&rft.aulast=Oliver+Collin%2C+L.+Martin&rft.aufirst=Richard%2C+Pamela&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span><span class="cs1-maint citation-comment"><code class="cs1-code">{{<a href="/wiki/Template:Cite_book" title="Template:Cite book">cite book</a>}}</code>: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (<a href="/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list" title="Category:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list">link</a>)</span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFA._Dobratz,_K._Waldner,_Buzzel2016" class="citation book cs1">A. Dobratz, K. Waldner, Buzzel, Betty, Lisa, Timothy (2016). "2: Role of the state". <i>Power, Politics, and Society: An Introduction to Political Sociology</i>. NY 10017, New York, USA: Routledge. p. 50. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780205486298" title="Special:BookSources/9780205486298"><bdi>9780205486298</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.atitle=2%3A+Role+of+the+state&rft.btitle=Power%2C+Politics%2C+and+Society%3A+An+Introduction+to+Political+Sociology&rft.place=NY+10017%2C+New+York%2C+USA&rft.pages=50&rft.pub=Routledge&rft.date=2016&rft.isbn=9780205486298&rft.aulast=A.+Dobratz%2C+K.+Waldner%2C+Buzzel&rft.aufirst=Betty%2C+Lisa%2C+Timothy&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span><span class="cs1-maint citation-comment"><code class="cs1-code">{{<a href="/wiki/Template:Cite_book" title="Template:Cite book">cite book</a>}}</code>: CS1 maint: location (<a href="/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_location" title="Category:CS1 maint: location">link</a>) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (<a href="/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list" title="Category:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list">link</a>)</span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBernholz2017" class="citation book cs1">Bernholz, Peter (2017). "1: Introduction". <i>Totalitarianism, Terrorism and Supreme Values: History and Theory</i>. Springer. p. 4. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-319-56906-2" title="Special:BookSources/978-3-319-56906-2"><bdi>978-3-319-56906-2</bdi></a>. <a href="/wiki/LCCN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="LCCN (identifier)">LCCN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://lccn.loc.gov/2017937505">2017937505</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.atitle=1%3A+Introduction&rft.btitle=Totalitarianism%2C+Terrorism+and+Supreme+Values%3A+History+and+Theory&rft.pages=4&rft.pub=Springer&rft.date=2017&rft_id=info%3Alccn%2F2017937505&rft.isbn=978-3-319-56906-2&rft.aulast=Bernholz&rft.aufirst=Peter&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></li></ul> </span></li> <li id="cite_note-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-5">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Sources: <ul><li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBergen2018" class="citation news cs1">Bergen, Peter (10 October 2018). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/10/opinions/mohammed-bin-salman-saudi-dictatorship-bergen/index.html">"The totalitarian prince: Trump's questionable friend in the Middle East"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/CNN" title="CNN">CNN</a></i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220321013419/https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2018/10/10/opinions/mohammed-bin-salman-saudi-dictatorship-bergen/index.html">Archived</a> from the original on 21 March 2022<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">19 March</span> 2022</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=CNN&rft.atitle=The+totalitarian+prince%3A+Trump%27s+questionable+friend+in+the+Middle+East&rft.date=2018-10-10&rft.aulast=Bergen&rft.aufirst=Peter&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2018%2F10%2F10%2Fopinions%2Fmohammed-bin-salman-saudi-dictatorship-bergen%2Findex.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBandow2020" class="citation web cs1">Bandow, Doug (19 May 2020). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.cato.org/commentary/time-cut-saudi-arabia">"Time to Cut Off Saudi Arabia"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Cato_Institute" title="Cato Institute">Cato Institute</a></i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210329043129/https://www.cato.org/commentary/time-cut-saudi-arabia">Archived</a> from the original on 29 March 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">19 March</span> 2022</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Cato+Institute&rft.atitle=Time+to+Cut+Off+Saudi+Arabia&rft.date=2020-05-19&rft.aulast=Bandow&rft.aufirst=Doug&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cato.org%2Fcommentary%2Ftime-cut-saudi-arabia&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAlkhaled2021" class="citation journal cs1">Alkhaled, Sophia (27 January 2021). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fgwao.12626">"Women's entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia: Feminist solidarity and political activism in disguise?"</a>. <i>Gender, Work & Organization</i>. <b>28</b> (3): <span class="nowrap">950–</span>972. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Doi (identifier)">doi</a>:<span class="id-lock-free" title="Freely accessible"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fgwao.12626">10.1111/gwao.12626</a></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Gender%2C+Work+%26+Organization&rft.atitle=Women%27s+entrepreneurship+in+Saudi+Arabia%3A+Feminist+solidarity+and+political+activism+in+disguise%3F&rft.volume=28&rft.issue=3&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E950-%3C%2Fspan%3E972&rft.date=2021-01-27&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1111%2Fgwao.12626&rft.aulast=Alkhaled&rft.aufirst=Sophia&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1111%252Fgwao.12626&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></li></ul> </span></li> </ol></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=17" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239543626"><div class="reflist reflist-columns references-column-width" style="column-width: 30em;"> <ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-6">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAlhussein2023" class="citation cs2">Alhussein, Eman (2023), <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollchap/book/9781802205633/book-part-9781802205633-14.xml">"Saudi Arabias centralized political structure: prospects and challenges"</a>, <i>Handbook of Middle East Politics</i>, Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. <span class="nowrap">144–</span>157, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-80220-563-3" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-80220-563-3"><bdi>978-1-80220-563-3</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Handbook+of+Middle+East+Politics&rft.atitle=Saudi+Arabias+centralized+political+structure%3A+prospects+and+challenges&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E144-%3C%2Fspan%3E157&rft.date=2023&rft.isbn=978-1-80220-563-3&rft.aulast=Alhussein&rft.aufirst=Eman&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.elgaronline.com%2Fedcollchap%2Fbook%2F9781802205633%2Fbook-part-9781802205633-14.xml&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Cavendish-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Cavendish_7-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Cavendish_7-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMarshall_Cavendish2007" class="citation book cs1">Marshall Cavendish (2007). <span class="id-lock-limited" title="Free access subject to limited trial, subscription normally required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/worlditspeoplesm0000unse"><i>World and Its Peoples: the Arabian Peninsula</i></a></span>. Marshall Cavendish. pp. <span class="nowrap">92–</span>93. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0761475712" title="Special:BookSources/978-0761475712"><bdi>978-0761475712</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=World+and+Its+Peoples%3A+the+Arabian+Peninsula&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E92-%3C%2Fspan%3E93&rft.pub=Marshall+Cavendish&rft.date=2007&rft.isbn=978-0761475712&rft.au=Marshall+Cavendish&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fworlditspeoplesm0000unse&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Cavendish78-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Cavendish78_8-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Cavendish78_8-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Cavendish78_8-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Cavendish78_8-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Cavendish78_8-4"><sup><i><b>e</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCavendish2007" class="citation book cs1">Cavendish, Marshall (2007). <span class="id-lock-limited" title="Free access subject to limited trial, subscription normally required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/worlditspeoplesm0000unse"><i>World and Its Peoples: the Arabian Peninsula</i></a></span>. Marshall Cavendish. p. 78. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0761475712" title="Special:BookSources/978-0761475712"><bdi>978-0761475712</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=World+and+Its+Peoples%3A+the+Arabian+Peninsula&rft.pages=78&rft.pub=Marshall+Cavendish&rft.date=2007&rft.isbn=978-0761475712&rft.aulast=Cavendish&rft.aufirst=Marshall&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fworlditspeoplesm0000unse&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Gerhard-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Gerhard_9-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRobbers2007" class="citation book cs1">Robbers, Gerhard (2007). <i>Encyclopedia of world constitutions, Volume 1</i>. p. 791. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0816060788" title="Special:BookSources/978-0816060788"><bdi>978-0816060788</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Encyclopedia+of+world+constitutions%2C+Volume+1&rft.pages=791&rft.date=2007&rft.isbn=978-0816060788&rft.aulast=Robbers&rft.aufirst=Gerhard&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-10">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFChampion2003" class="citation book cs1">Champion, Daryl (2003). <i>The paradoxical kingdom: Saudi Arabia and the momentum of reform</i>. Hurst & Company. p. 60. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1850656685" title="Special:BookSources/978-1850656685"><bdi>978-1850656685</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+paradoxical+kingdom%3A+Saudi+Arabia+and+the+momentum+of+reform&rft.pages=60&rft.pub=Hurst+%26+Company&rft.date=2003&rft.isbn=978-1850656685&rft.aulast=Champion&rft.aufirst=Daryl&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-:3-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-:3_11-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFDadouch2021" class="citation news cs1">Dadouch, Sarah (3 August 2021). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-clerics-crown-prince-mohammed/2021/08/02/9ae796a0-e3ed-11eb-88c5-4fd6382c47cb_story.html">"Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed seeks to reduce influential clerics' power"</a>. <i>The Washington Post</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210803102359/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-clerics-crown-prince-mohammed/2021/08/02/9ae796a0-e3ed-11eb-88c5-4fd6382c47cb_story.html">Archived</a> from the original on 3 August 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Washington+Post&rft.atitle=Saudi+Crown+Prince+Mohammed+seeks+to+reduce+influential+clerics%27+power&rft.date=2021-08-03&rft.aulast=Dadouch&rft.aufirst=Sarah&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fworld%2Fmiddle_east%2Fsaudi-clerics-crown-prince-mohammed%2F2021%2F08%2F02%2F9ae796a0-e3ed-11eb-88c5-4fd6382c47cb_story.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-12">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFThe_Economist_Intelligence_Unit" class="citation news cs1">The Economist Intelligence Unit. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://graphics.eiu.com/PDF/Democracy_Index_2010_web.pdf">"The Economist Democracy Index 2010"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. <i>The Economist</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180606141853/http://graphics.eiu.com/PDF/Democracy_Index_2010_web.pdf">Archived</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> from the original on 6 June 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Economist&rft.atitle=The+Economist+Democracy+Index+2010&rft.au=The+Economist+Intelligence+Unit&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fgraphics.eiu.com%2FPDF%2FDemocracy_Index_2010_web.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-LoC-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-LoC_13-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-LoC_13-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLibrary_of_Congress,_Federal_Research_Division2006" class="citation web cs1">Library of Congress, Federal Research Division (2006). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://memory.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Saudi_Arabia.pdf">"Country Profile: Saudi Arabia"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183858/http://memory.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Saudi_Arabia.pdf">Archived</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> from the original on 28 June 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">20 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Country+Profile%3A+Saudi+Arabia&rft.date=2006&rft.au=Library+of+Congress%2C+Federal+Research+Division&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fmemory.loc.gov%2Ffrd%2Fcs%2Fprofiles%2FSaudi_Arabia.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-14"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-14">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKechichian2001" class="citation book cs1">Kechichian, Joseph A. (2001). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/successioninsaud00kech/page/72"><i>Succession in Saudi Arabia</i></a>. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/successioninsaud00kech/page/72">72</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0312238803" title="Special:BookSources/978-0312238803"><bdi>978-0312238803</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Succession+in+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=72&rft.date=2001&rft.isbn=978-0312238803&rft.aulast=Kechichian&rft.aufirst=Joseph+A.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fsuccessioninsaud00kech%2Fpage%2F72&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Economist_Succession-15"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Economist_Succession_15-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Economist_Succession_15-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Economist_Succession_15-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.economist.com/node/16588422">"When kings and princes grow old"</a>. <i>The Economist</i>. 15 July 2010. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171229222651/http://www.economist.com/node/16588422">Archived</a> from the original on 29 December 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Economist&rft.atitle=When+kings+and+princes+grow+old&rft.date=2010-07-15&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.economist.com%2Fnode%2F16588422&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-16"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-16">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.dw.com/en/saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-says-israel-has-right-to-homeland/a-43229551">"Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says Israel has 'right' to homeland | DW | 03.04.2018"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Deutsche_Welle" title="Deutsche Welle">Deutsche Welle</a></i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180517082612/http://www.dw.com/en/saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-says-israel-has-right-to-homeland/a-43229551">Archived</a> from the original on 17 May 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 May</span> 2018</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Deutsche+Welle&rft.atitle=Saudi+Crown+Prince+Mohammed+bin+Salman+says+Israel+has+%27right%27+to+homeland+%26%23124%3B+DW+%26%23124%3B+03.04.2018&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.com%2Fen%2Fsaudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-says-israel-has-right-to-homeland%2Fa-43229551&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-17"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-17">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMulholland2018" class="citation news cs1">Mulholland, Rory (7 April 2018). <span class="id-lock-subscription" title="Paid subscription required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/07/saudi-arabias-mohammed-bin-salman-meet-emmanuel-macron-france/">"Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman to meet Emmanuel Macron in France"</a></span>. <i>The Telegraph</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/07/saudi-arabias-mohammed-bin-salman-meet-emmanuel-macron-france/">Archived</a> from the original on 12 January 2022.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Telegraph&rft.atitle=Saudi+Arabia%27s+Mohammed+bin+Salman+to+meet+Emmanuel+Macron+in+France&rft.date=2018-04-07&rft.aulast=Mulholland&rft.aufirst=Rory&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2F2018%2F04%2F07%2Fsaudi-arabias-mohammed-bin-salman-meet-emmanuel-macron-france%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-18"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-18">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFTharoor2018" class="citation news cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Tharoor, Ishaan (19 March 2018). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/03/19/saudi-arabias-ambitious-crown-prince-comes-to-a-washington-in-turmoil/">"Analysis – Saudi Arabia's ambitious crown prince comes to a Washington in turmoil"</a>. <i>Washington Post</i> (in Kinyarwanda). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180517083722/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/03/19/saudi-arabias-ambitious-crown-prince-comes-to-a-washington-in-turmoil/">Archived</a> from the original on 17 May 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">26 September</span> 2021</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Washington+Post&rft.atitle=Analysis+%E2%80%93+Saudi+Arabia%27s+ambitious+crown+prince+comes+to+a+Washington+in+turmoil&rft.date=2018-03-19&rft.aulast=Tharoor&rft.aufirst=Ishaan&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnews%2Fworldviews%2Fwp%2F2018%2F03%2F19%2Fsaudi-arabias-ambitious-crown-prince-comes-to-a-washington-in-turmoil%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-19"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-19">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/mohammed-bin-salman-reformist-prince-who-has-shaken-saudi-arabia/">"Mohammed bin Salman, reformist prince who has shaken Saudi Arabia"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/The_Times_of_Israel" title="The Times of Israel">The Times of Israel</a></i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180517083122/https://www.timesofisrael.com/mohammed-bin-salman-reformist-prince-who-has-shaken-saudi-arabia/">Archived</a> from the original on 17 May 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 May</span> 2018</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Times+of+Israel&rft.atitle=Mohammed+bin+Salman%2C+reformist+prince+who+has+shaken+Saudi+Arabia&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesofisrael.com%2Fmohammed-bin-salman-reformist-prince-who-has-shaken-saudi-arabia%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia-20"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia_20-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia_20-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia_20-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia_20-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia_20-4"><sup><i><b>e</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Encyclopædia_Britannica_Online:_Saudi_Arabia_20-5"><sup><i><b>f</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation encyclopaedia cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/525348/Saudi-Arabia">"Encyclopædia Britannica Online: Saudi Arabia (Government and Society)"</a>. <i>Britannica</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150503055449/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/525348/Saudi-Arabia">Archived</a> from the original on 3 May 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">28 April</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.atitle=Encyclop%C3%A6dia+Britannica+Online%3A+Saudi+Arabia+%28Government+and+Society%29&rft.btitle=Britannica&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2FEBchecked%2Ftopic%2F525348%2FSaudi-Arabia&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Campbell-21"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Campbell_21-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCampbell2007" class="citation book cs1">Campbell, Christian (2007). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=20jmw1C3H5UC&pg=PA265"><i>Legal Aspects of Doing Business in the Middle East</i></a>. Lulu Enterprises Incorporated. p. 265. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1430319146" title="Special:BookSources/978-1430319146"><bdi>978-1430319146</bdi></a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230117132432/https://books.google.com/books?id=20jmw1C3H5UC&pg=PA265">Archived</a> from the original on 17 January 2023<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">7 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Legal+Aspects+of+Doing+Business+in+the+Middle+East&rft.pages=265&rft.pub=Lulu+Enterprises+Incorporated&rft.date=2007&rft.isbn=978-1430319146&rft.aulast=Campbell&rft.aufirst=Christian&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D20jmw1C3H5UC%26pg%3DPA265&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-22"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-22">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFDeRouenBellamy,_Paul2008" class="citation book cs1">DeRouen, Karl R.; Bellamy, Paul (2008). <i>International security and the United States: an encyclopedia, Volume 2</i>. Praeger Security International. p. 672. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0275992552" title="Special:BookSources/978-0275992552"><bdi>978-0275992552</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=International+security+and+the+United+States%3A+an+encyclopedia%2C+Volume+2&rft.pages=672&rft.pub=Praeger+Security+International&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=978-0275992552&rft.aulast=DeRouen&rft.aufirst=Karl+R.&rft.au=Bellamy%2C+Paul&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-23"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-23">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFStokes2009" class="citation book cs1">Stokes, Jamie (2009). <i>Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East, Volume 1</i>. Facts On File. p. 611. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0816071586" title="Special:BookSources/978-0816071586"><bdi>978-0816071586</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Encyclopedia+of+the+Peoples+of+Africa+and+the+Middle+East%2C+Volume+1&rft.pages=611&rft.pub=Facts+On+File&rft.date=2009&rft.isbn=978-0816071586&rft.aulast=Stokes&rft.aufirst=Jamie&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-24"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-24">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFNaʻīm2002" class="citation book cs1">Naʻīm, Abd Allāh Aḥmad (2002). <i>Islamic family law in a changing world: a global resource book</i>. Zed Books. p. 136. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1842770931" title="Special:BookSources/978-1842770931"><bdi>978-1842770931</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Islamic+family+law+in+a+changing+world%3A+a+global+resource+book&rft.pages=136&rft.pub=Zed+Books&rft.date=2002&rft.isbn=978-1842770931&rft.aulast=Na%CA%BB%C4%ABm&rft.aufirst=Abd+All%C4%81h+A%E1%B8%A5mad&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-25"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-25">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHouse,_Karen_Elliott2012" class="citation book cs1">House, Karen Elliott (2012). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=dIu0LSe8aVwC&q=on+saudi+house"><i>On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines and Future</i></a>. Knopf. p. 25. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0307473288" title="Special:BookSources/978-0307473288"><bdi>978-0307473288</bdi></a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230117132433/https://books.google.com/books?id=dIu0LSe8aVwC&q=on+saudi+house">Archived</a> from the original on 17 January 2023<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 October</span> 2020</span>. <q>All revenue, whether from oil, earnings on the country's $400 billion in foreign reserves, or even traffic fines, flows into the central government in Riyadh – that is, to the royal family. No accounting is given to the public of either total revenues to the Al Saud coffers or total spending by the Al Saud – on behalf of the people and behalf of the ever-expanding royal family. ... The Majlis Ash-Shura, appointed by the king to `represent` the people has no role in the budget formation. Fully 40% of the budget that is disclosed publicly is labeled `Other sectors` (including defense, security, intelligence, and direct investment of the kingdom's revenues outside the country) and is opaque to the public.</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=On+Saudi+Arabia%3A+Its+People%2C+Past%2C+Religion%2C+Fault+Lines+and+Future&rft.pages=25&rft.pub=Knopf&rft.date=2012&rft.isbn=978-0307473288&rft.au=House%2C+Karen+Elliott&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DdIu0LSe8aVwC%26q%3Don%2Bsaudi%2Bhouse&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-lacey-251-26"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-lacey-251_26-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLacey2009" class="citation book cs1">Lacey, Robert (2009). <span class="id-lock-registration" title="Free registration required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/insidekingdomkin00lace_0"><i>Inside the Kingdom : Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists, and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia</i></a></span>. Viking. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/insidekingdomkin00lace_0/page/251">251</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0670021185" title="Special:BookSources/978-0670021185"><bdi>978-0670021185</bdi></a>. <q>When the Saudi budget is published every year, no less than 40 percent (166.9 billion riyals in the budget for 2008) is labeled `Other sectors`, which includes defense, national security, intelligence, direct investment outside the country, and most interesting of all, how much of the national pie is paid into the coffers of the royal family.</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Inside+the+Kingdom+%3A+Kings%2C+Clerics%2C+Modernists%2C+Terrorists%2C+and+the+Struggle+for+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=251&rft.pub=Viking&rft.date=2009&rft.isbn=978-0670021185&rft.aulast=Lacey&rft.aufirst=Robert&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Finsidekingdomkin00lace_0&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-27"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-27">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAl_Rasheed2010" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Madawi_al-Rasheed" title="Madawi al-Rasheed">Al Rasheed, M.</a> (2010). <i>A History of Saudi Arabia</i>. Cambridge University Press. pp. <span class="nowrap">102–</span>105, 110. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0521747547" title="Special:BookSources/978-0521747547"><bdi>978-0521747547</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=A+History+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E102-%3C%2Fspan%3E105%2C+110&rft.pub=Cambridge+University+Press&rft.date=2010&rft.isbn=978-0521747547&rft.aulast=Al+Rasheed&rft.aufirst=M.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-28"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-28">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAl_Rasheed2010" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Madawi_al-Rasheed" title="Madawi al-Rasheed">Al Rasheed, M.</a> (2010). <i>A History of Saudi Arabia</i>. Cambridge University Press. pp. <span class="nowrap">118–</span>120. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0521747547" title="Special:BookSources/978-0521747547"><bdi>978-0521747547</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=A+History+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E118-%3C%2Fspan%3E120&rft.pub=Cambridge+University+Press&rft.date=2010&rft.isbn=978-0521747547&rft.aulast=Al+Rasheed&rft.aufirst=M.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-29"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-29">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAl_Rasheed2010" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Madawi_al-Rasheed" title="Madawi al-Rasheed">Al Rasheed, M</a> (2010). <i>A History of Saudi Arabia</i>. Cambridge University Press. p. 143. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0521747547" title="Special:BookSources/978-0521747547"><bdi>978-0521747547</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=A+History+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=143&rft.pub=Cambridge+University+Press&rft.date=2010&rft.isbn=978-0521747547&rft.aulast=Al+Rasheed&rft.aufirst=M&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-30"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-30">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><span class="id-lock-subscription" title="Paid subscription required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/54d03842-0264-11da-84e5-00000e2511c8.html#axzz1SYULboE3">"Obituary: King Fahd – A forceful but flawed ruler"</a></span>. <i>The Financial Times</i>. 1 August 2005. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210211206/https://www.ft.com/content/54d03842-0264-11da-84e5-00000e2511c8#axzz1SYULboE3">Archived</a> from the original on 10 December 2022<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 July</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Financial+Times&rft.atitle=Obituary%3A+King+Fahd+%E2%80%93+A+forceful+but+flawed+ruler&rft.date=2005-08-01&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F54d03842-0264-11da-84e5-00000e2511c8.html%23axzz1SYULboE3&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-31"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-31">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAl_Rasheed2010" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Madawi_al-Rasheed" title="Madawi al-Rasheed">Al Rasheed, M.</a> (2010). <i>A History of Saudi Arabia</i>. p. 212. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0521747547" title="Special:BookSources/978-0521747547"><bdi>978-0521747547</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=A+History+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=212&rft.date=2010&rft.isbn=978-0521747547&rft.aulast=Al+Rasheed&rft.aufirst=M.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-32"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-32">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLacey2009" class="citation book cs1">Lacey, Robert (2009). <i>Inside the Kingdom</i>. p. 264. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0099539056" title="Special:BookSources/978-0099539056"><bdi>978-0099539056</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Inside+the+Kingdom&rft.pages=264&rft.date=2009&rft.isbn=978-0099539056&rft.aulast=Lacey&rft.aufirst=Robert&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-33"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-33">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCooper2010" class="citation news cs1">Cooper, Helene (29 November 2010). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/a/abdullah_bin_abdul_aziz_alsaud/index.html">"Abdullah, King of Saudi Arabia"</a>. <i>The New York Times</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130727045836/http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/a/abdullah_bin_abdul_aziz_alsaud/index.html">Archived</a> from the original on 27 July 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 July</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+New+York+Times&rft.atitle=Abdullah%2C+King+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.date=2010-11-29&rft.aulast=Cooper&rft.aufirst=Helene&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Ftopics.nytimes.com%2Ftopics%2Freference%2Ftimestopics%2Fpeople%2Fa%2Fabdullah_bin_abdul_aziz_alsaud%2Findex.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-34"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-34">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation encyclopaedia cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/525348/Saudi-Arabia">"Encyclopædia Britannica Online: Saudi Arabia (History)"</a>. <i>Britannica</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150503055449/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/525348/Saudi-Arabia">Archived</a> from the original on 3 May 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">28 April</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.atitle=Encyclop%C3%A6dia+Britannica+Online%3A+Saudi+Arabia+%28History%29&rft.btitle=Britannica&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2FEBchecked%2Ftopic%2F525348%2FSaudi-Arabia&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FT_Saud-35"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FT_Saud_35-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FT_Saud_35-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210211220/https://www.ft.com/content/75aae7ea-cc82-11df-a6c7-00144feab49a#axzz1Pon8gQJX">"The House of Saud: rulers of modern Saudi Arabia"</a>. <i>Financial Times</i>. 30 September 2010. Archived from <span class="id-lock-subscription" title="Paid subscription required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/75aae7ea-cc82-11df-a6c7-00144feab49a.html#axzz1Pon8gQJX">the original</a></span> on 10 December 2022<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">20 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Financial+Times&rft.atitle=The+House+of+Saud%3A+rulers+of+modern+Saudi+Arabia&rft.date=2010-09-30&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F75aae7ea-cc82-11df-a6c7-00144feab49a.html%23axzz1Pon8gQJX&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-36"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-36">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBowen2007" class="citation book cs1">Bowen, Wayne H. (2007). <i>The history of Saudi Arabia</i>. pp. 15, 108. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0313340123" title="Special:BookSources/978-0313340123"><bdi>978-0313340123</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+history+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=15%2C+108&rft.date=2007&rft.isbn=978-0313340123&rft.aulast=Bowen&rft.aufirst=Wayne+H.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-37"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-37">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHouse,_Karen_Elliott2012" class="citation book cs1">House, Karen Elliott (2012). <i>On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines and Future</i>. Knopf. p. 10,13. <q>Al Saud family members hold all the key jobs, not just at the top but right down through middle management, even to regional managers (the governors of all 13 Saudi provinces are princes). At the bottom of the company, ordinary employees are poorly paid and even more poorly trained because management doesn't want an initiative that might threaten its control. ... Nor surprisingly, the Saudi employees of such a stultifying company are sullen, resentful and unmotivated.</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=On+Saudi+Arabia%3A+Its+People%2C+Past%2C+Religion%2C+Fault+Lines+and+Future&rft.pages=10%2C13&rft.pub=Knopf&rft.date=2012&rft.au=House%2C+Karen+Elliott&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-38"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-38">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFOwen2000" class="citation book cs1">Owen, Roger (2000). <span class="id-lock-limited" title="Free access subject to limited trial, subscription normally required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/statepowerpoliti00owen_670"><i>State, power and politics in the making of the modern Middle East</i></a></span>. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/statepowerpoliti00owen_670/page/n72">56</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0415196741" title="Special:BookSources/978-0415196741"><bdi>978-0415196741</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=State%2C+power+and+politics+in+the+making+of+the+modern+Middle+East&rft.pages=56&rft.date=2000&rft.isbn=978-0415196741&rft.aulast=Owen&rft.aufirst=Roger&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fstatepowerpoliti00owen_670&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-39"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-39">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11807255">"Saudi King Abdullah to go to US for medical treatment"</a>. <i>BBC News</i>. 21 November 2010. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180930162810/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11807255">Archived</a> from the original on 30 September 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">20 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=BBC+News&rft.atitle=Saudi+King+Abdullah+to+go+to+US+for+medical+treatment&rft.date=2010-11-21&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworld-middle-east-11807255&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-bio-40"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-bio_40-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110616222323/http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/Biographies-of-Ministers.aspx">"Biographies of Ministers"</a>. Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington, DC. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.saudiembassy.net/about/Biographies-of-Ministers.aspx">the original</a> on 16 June 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">20 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Biographies+of+Ministers&rft.pub=Royal+Embassy+of+Saudi+Arabia%2C+Washington%2C+DC&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saudiembassy.net%2Fabout%2FBiographies-of-Ministers.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-41"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-41">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101124194326/http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article199149.ece">"Prince Salman resumes duties at governorate"</a>. <i>Arab News</i>. 23 November 2010. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article199149.ece">the original</a> on 24 November 2010<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">20 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Arab+News&rft.atitle=Prince+Salman+resumes+duties+at+governorate&rft.date=2010-11-23&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Farabnews.com%2Fsaudiarabia%2Farticle199149.ece&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Noreng97-42"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Noreng97_42-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Noreng97_42-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFNoreng2005" class="citation book cs1">Noreng, Oystein (2005). <span class="id-lock-limited" title="Free access subject to limited trial, subscription normally required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/crudepowerpoliti00nore"><i>Crude power: politics and the oil market</i></a></span>. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/crudepowerpoliti00nore/page/n145">97</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1845110239" title="Special:BookSources/978-1845110239"><bdi>978-1845110239</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Crude+power%3A+politics+and+the+oil+market&rft.pages=97&rft.date=2005&rft.isbn=978-1845110239&rft.aulast=Noreng&rft.aufirst=Oystein&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fcrudepowerpoliti00nore&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Kostiner236-43"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Kostiner236_43-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Kostiner236_43-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKostiner2009" class="citation book cs1">Kostiner, Joseph (2009). <span class="id-lock-limited" title="Free access subject to limited trial, subscription normally required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/conflictcooperat00kost"><i>Conflict and cooperation in the Gulf region</i></a></span>. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/conflictcooperat00kost/page/n233">236</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3531162058" title="Special:BookSources/978-3531162058"><bdi>978-3531162058</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Conflict+and+cooperation+in+the+Gulf+region&rft.pages=236&rft.date=2009&rft.isbn=978-3531162058&rft.aulast=Kostiner&rft.aufirst=Joseph&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fconflictcooperat00kost&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-David33-44"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-David33_44-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFDavid2008" class="citation book cs1">David, Steven R. (2008). <span class="id-lock-limited" title="Free access subject to limited trial, subscription normally required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/catastrophiccons00davi_914"><i>Catastrophic consequences: civil wars and American interests</i></a></span>. pp. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/catastrophiccons00davi_914/page/n47">33</a>–34. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0801889899" title="Special:BookSources/978-0801889899"><bdi>978-0801889899</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Catastrophic+consequences%3A+civil+wars+and+American+interests&rft.pages=33-34&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=978-0801889899&rft.aulast=David&rft.aufirst=Steven+R.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fcatastrophiccons00davi_914&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-45"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-45">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7068977.stm">"Who's who: Senior Saudis"</a>. <i>BBC News</i>. 30 October 2007. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210224092929/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7068977.stm">Archived</a> from the original on 24 February 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">21 July</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=BBC+News&rft.atitle=Who%27s+who%3A+Senior+Saudis&rft.date=2007-10-30&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F1%2Fhi%2Fworld%2Fmiddle_east%2F7068977.stm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-46"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-46">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-15052030">"Women in Saudi Arabia to vote and run in elections"</a>. <i>BBC News</i>. 25 September 2011. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211018101520/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-15052030">Archived</a> from the original on 18 October 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">26 September</span> 2021</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=BBC+News&rft.atitle=Women+in+Saudi+Arabia+to+vote+and+run+in+elections&rft.date=2011-09-25&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fworld-us-canada-15052030&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-47"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-47">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation magazine cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,360658,00.html">"The Koran Doesn't Oppose Women Driving"</a>. <i>Der Spiegel</i>. 15 June 2005. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090624143159/http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,360658,00.html">Archived</a> from the original on 24 June 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">21 July</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Der+Spiegel&rft.atitle=The+Koran+Doesn%27t+Oppose+Women+Driving&rft.date=2005-06-15&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiegel.de%2Finternational%2F0%2C1518%2C360658%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-48"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-48">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKoranyDessouki,_Ali_E.Hillal2010" class="citation book cs1">Korany, Bahgat; Dessouki, Ali E.Hillal (2010). <i>The Foreign Policies of Arab States: The Challenge of Globalization</i>. p. 358. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-9774163609" title="Special:BookSources/978-9774163609"><bdi>978-9774163609</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Foreign+Policies+of+Arab+States%3A+The+Challenge+of+Globalization&rft.pages=358&rft.date=2010&rft.isbn=978-9774163609&rft.aulast=Korany&rft.aufirst=Bahgat&rft.au=Dessouki%2C+Ali+E.Hillal&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Goldstein118-49"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Goldstein118_49-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Goldstein118_49-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFGoldsteinBrown-FosterWalton2010" class="citation book cs1">Goldstein, Natalie; Brown-Foster; Walton (2010). <span class="id-lock-registration" title="Free registration required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/religionstate0000gold"><i>Religion and the State</i></a></span>. Facts On File. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/religionstate0000gold/page/118">118</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0816080908" title="Special:BookSources/978-0816080908"><bdi>978-0816080908</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Religion+and+the+State&rft.pages=118&rft.pub=Facts+On+File&rft.date=2010&rft.isbn=978-0816080908&rft.aulast=Goldstein&rft.aufirst=Natalie&rft.au=Brown-Foster&rft.au=Walton&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Freligionstate0000gold&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-50"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-50">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFFederal_Research_Division2004" class="citation book cs1">Federal Research Division (2004). <i>Saudi Arabia A Country Study</i>. p. 232. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1419146213" title="Special:BookSources/978-1419146213"><bdi>978-1419146213</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saudi+Arabia+A+Country+Study&rft.pages=232&rft.date=2004&rft.isbn=978-1419146213&rft.au=Federal+Research+Division&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-ComingStorm-51"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-ComingStorm_51-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=K_c9FOeeuewC&dq=Council+of+Senior+Scholars+saudi&pg=PA25">"Saudi Arabia: The Coming Storm" By Peter W. Wilson</a> p. 26-27</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-meforum.org-52"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-meforum.org_52-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-meforum.org_52-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFNawaf_E._Obaid1999" class="citation journal cs1">Nawaf E. Obaid (1999). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.meforum.org/482/the-power-of-saudi-arabias-islamic-leaders">"The Power of Saudi Arabia's Islamic Leaders"</a>. <i>Middle East Quarterly</i>. <b>VI</b> (3): <span class="nowrap">51–</span>58. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110806023223/http://www.meforum.org/482/the-power-of-saudi-arabias-islamic-leaders">Archived</a> from the original on 6 August 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">23 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Middle+East+Quarterly&rft.atitle=The+Power+of+Saudi+Arabia%27s+Islamic+Leaders&rft.volume=VI&rft.issue=3&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E51-%3C%2Fspan%3E58&rft.date=1999&rft.au=Nawaf+E.+Obaid&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.meforum.org%2F482%2Fthe-power-of-saudi-arabias-islamic-leaders&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-53"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-53">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFFarsy1992" class="citation book cs1">Farsy, Fouad (1992). <i>Modernity and tradition: the Saudi equation</i>. Knight Communications. p. 29. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1874132035" title="Special:BookSources/978-1874132035"><bdi>978-1874132035</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Modernity+and+tradition%3A+the+Saudi+equation&rft.pages=29&rft.pub=Knight+Communications&rft.date=1992&rft.isbn=978-1874132035&rft.aulast=Farsy&rft.aufirst=Fouad&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Hassner-54"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Hassner_54-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Hassner_54-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Hassner_54-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHassner2009" class="citation book cs1">Hassner, Ron Eduard (2009). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/waronsacredgroun00hass/page/143"><i>War on sacred grounds</i></a>. Cornell University Press. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/waronsacredgroun00hass/page/143">143</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0801448065" title="Special:BookSources/978-0801448065"><bdi>978-0801448065</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=War+on+sacred+grounds&rft.pages=143&rft.pub=Cornell+University+Press&rft.date=2009&rft.isbn=978-0801448065&rft.aulast=Hassner&rft.aufirst=Ron+Eduard&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fwaronsacredgroun00hass%2Fpage%2F143&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-55"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-55">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAbir1987" class="citation book cs1">Abir, Mordechai (1987). <i>Saudi Arabia in the oil era: regime and elites: conflict and collaboration</i>. Croom Helm. p. 30. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0709951292" title="Special:BookSources/978-0709951292"><bdi>978-0709951292</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saudi+Arabia+in+the+oil+era%3A+regime+and+elites%3A+conflict+and+collaboration&rft.pages=30&rft.pub=Croom+Helm&rft.date=1987&rft.isbn=978-0709951292&rft.aulast=Abir&rft.aufirst=Mordechai&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Abir21-56"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Abir21_56-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Abir21_56-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAbir1993" class="citation book cs1">Abir, Mordechai (1993). <i>Saudi Arabia: government, society, and the Gulf crisis</i>. Routledge. p. 21. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0415093255" title="Special:BookSources/978-0415093255"><bdi>978-0415093255</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saudi+Arabia%3A+government%2C+society%2C+and+the+Gulf+crisis&rft.pages=21&rft.pub=Routledge&rft.date=1993&rft.isbn=978-0415093255&rft.aulast=Abir&rft.aufirst=Mordechai&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Hegghammer24-57"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Hegghammer24_57-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Hegghammer24_57-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHegghammer2010" class="citation book cs1">Hegghammer, Thomas (2010). <span class="id-lock-limited" title="Free access subject to limited trial, subscription normally required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/jihadsaudiarabia00hegg"><i>Jihad in Saudi Arabia: Violence and Pan-Islamism Since 1979</i></a></span>. Cambridge University Press. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/jihadsaudiarabia00hegg/page/n35">24</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0521732369" title="Special:BookSources/978-0521732369"><bdi>978-0521732369</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Jihad+in+Saudi+Arabia%3A+Violence+and+Pan-Islamism+Since+1979&rft.pages=24&rft.pub=Cambridge+University+Press&rft.date=2010&rft.isbn=978-0521732369&rft.aulast=Hegghammer&rft.aufirst=Thomas&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fjihadsaudiarabia00hegg&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-NYT_Abdullah-58"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-NYT_Abdullah_58-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCooper2010" class="citation news cs1">Cooper, Helene (29 November 2010). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/a/abdullah_bin_abdul_aziz_alsaud/index.html">"Abdullah, King of Saudi Arabia"</a>. <i>The New York Times</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130727045836/http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/a/abdullah_bin_abdul_aziz_alsaud/index.html">Archived</a> from the original on 27 July 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">28 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+New+York+Times&rft.atitle=Abdullah%2C+King+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.date=2010-11-29&rft.aulast=Cooper&rft.aufirst=Helene&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Ftopics.nytimes.com%2Ftopics%2Freference%2Ftimestopics%2Fpeople%2Fa%2Fabdullah_bin_abdul_aziz_alsaud%2Findex.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-59"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-59">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAbir1987" class="citation book cs1">Abir, Mordechai (1987). <i>Saudi Arabia in the oil era: regime and elites: conflict and collaboration</i>. Croom Helm. p. 4. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0709951292" title="Special:BookSources/978-0709951292"><bdi>978-0709951292</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saudi+Arabia+in+the+oil+era%3A+regime+and+elites%3A+conflict+and+collaboration&rft.pages=4&rft.pub=Croom+Helm&rft.date=1987&rft.isbn=978-0709951292&rft.aulast=Abir&rft.aufirst=Mordechai&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-60"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-60">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFWilsonGraham,_Douglas1994" class="citation book cs1">Wilson, Peter W.; Graham, Douglas (1994). <i>Saudi Arabia: the coming storm</i>. M.E. Sharpe. p. 16. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1563243946" title="Special:BookSources/1563243946"><bdi>1563243946</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saudi+Arabia%3A+the+coming+storm&rft.pages=16&rft.pub=M.E.+Sharpe&rft.date=1994&rft.isbn=1563243946&rft.aulast=Wilson&rft.aufirst=Peter+W.&rft.au=Graham%2C+Douglas&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Long11-61"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Long11_61-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLong2005" class="citation book cs1">Long, David E. (2005). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/culturecustomsof00long/page/11"><i>Culture and Customs of Saudi Arabia</i></a>. Bloomsbury Academic. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/culturecustomsof00long/page/11">11</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0313320217" title="Special:BookSources/978-0313320217"><bdi>978-0313320217</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Culture+and+Customs+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=11&rft.pub=Bloomsbury+Academic&rft.date=2005&rft.isbn=978-0313320217&rft.aulast=Long&rft.aufirst=David+E.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fculturecustomsof00long%2Fpage%2F11&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-IBP-62"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-IBP_62-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-IBP_62-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFInternational_Business_Publications2011" class="citation book cs1">International Business Publications (2011). <i>Saudi Arabia King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Handbook</i>. International Business Publications, USA. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0739727409" title="Special:BookSources/978-0739727409"><bdi>978-0739727409</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saudi+Arabia+King+Fahd+bin+Abdulaziz+Al+Saud+Handbook&rft.pub=International+Business+Publications%2C+USA&rft.date=2011&rft.isbn=978-0739727409&rft.au=International+Business+Publications&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span> <span class="cs1-visible-error citation-comment"><code class="cs1-code">{{<a href="/wiki/Template:Cite_book" title="Template:Cite book">cite book</a>}}</code>: </span><span class="cs1-visible-error citation-comment"><code class="cs1-code">|last=</code> has generic name (<a href="/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#generic_name" title="Help:CS1 errors">help</a>)</span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-63"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-63">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFNyrop2008" class="citation book cs1">Nyrop, Richard F. (2008). <i>Area Handbook for the Persian Gulf States</i>. p. 50. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1434462107" title="Special:BookSources/978-1434462107"><bdi>978-1434462107</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Area+Handbook+for+the+Persian+Gulf+States&rft.pages=50&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=978-1434462107&rft.aulast=Nyrop&rft.aufirst=Richard+F.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-64"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-64">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBligh,_Alexander1985" class="citation journal cs1">Bligh, Alexander (1985). "The Saudi religious elite (Ulama) as participant in the political system of the kingdom". <i>International Journal of Middle East Studies</i>. <b>17</b>: <span class="nowrap">37–</span>50. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Doi (identifier)">doi</a>:<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS0020743800028750">10.1017/S0020743800028750</a>. <a href="/wiki/S2CID_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="S2CID (identifier)">S2CID</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:154565116">154565116</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=International+Journal+of+Middle+East+Studies&rft.atitle=The+Saudi+religious+elite+%28Ulama%29+as+participant+in+the+political+system+of+the+kingdom&rft.volume=17&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E37-%3C%2Fspan%3E50&rft.date=1985&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1017%2FS0020743800028750&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.semanticscholar.org%2FCorpusID%3A154565116%23id-name%3DS2CID&rft.au=Bligh%2C+Alexander&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Mattar-65"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Mattar_65-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMattar2004" class="citation book cs1">Mattar, Philip (2004). <span class="id-lock-registration" title="Free registration required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofmo00phil_0"><i>Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa: Vol. 1 A–C</i></a></span>. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofmo00phil_0/page/101">101</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0028657707" title="Special:BookSources/978-0028657707"><bdi>978-0028657707</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Encyclopedia+of+the+Modern+Middle+East+and+North+Africa%3A+Vol.+1+A%E2%80%93C&rft.pages=101&rft.date=2004&rft.isbn=978-0028657707&rft.aulast=Mattar&rft.aufirst=Philip&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fencyclopediaofmo00phil_0&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-66"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-66">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160906231821/http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/middle-east-north-africa/saudi-arabia/show-all.aspx">"Saudi Arabia Corruption Profile"</a>. <i>Business Anti-Corruption Profile</i>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/middle-east-north-africa/saudi-arabia/show-all.aspx">the original</a> on 6 September 2016<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2 July</span> 2015</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Business+Anti-Corruption+Profile&rft.atitle=Saudi+Arabia+Corruption+Profile&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.business-anti-corruption.com%2Fcountry-profiles%2Fmiddle-east-north-africa%2Fsaudi-arabia%2Fshow-all.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-67"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-67">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFReedBrenda,_Lange2006" class="citation book cs1">Reed, Jennifer Bond; Brenda, Lange (2006). <span class="id-lock-limited" title="Free access subject to limited trial, subscription normally required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/saudiroyalfamily00reed_0"><i>Saudi Royal Family</i></a></span>. Chelsea House. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/saudiroyalfamily00reed_0/page/n17">14</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0791092187" title="Special:BookSources/978-0791092187"><bdi>978-0791092187</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saudi+Royal+Family&rft.pages=14&rft.pub=Chelsea+House&rft.date=2006&rft.isbn=978-0791092187&rft.aulast=Reed&rft.aufirst=Jennifer+Bond&rft.au=Brenda%2C+Lange&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fsaudiroyalfamily00reed_0&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span>;<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCordesman2003" class="citation book cs1">Cordesman, Anthony H. (2003). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/saudiarabiaenter0000cord/page/47"><i>Saudi Arabia Enters the 21st Century</i></a>. pp. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/saudiarabiaenter0000cord/page/47">47, 142</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0275980917" title="Special:BookSources/978-0275980917"><bdi>978-0275980917</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saudi+Arabia+Enters+the+21st+Century&rft.pages=47%2C+142&rft.date=2003&rft.isbn=978-0275980917&rft.aulast=Cordesman&rft.aufirst=Anthony+H.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fsaudiarabiaenter0000cord%2Fpage%2F47&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span>;<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAlianak2007" class="citation book cs1">Alianak, Sonia (2007). <i>Middle Eastern leaders and Islam: A precarious equilibrium</i>. Peter Lang. p. 67. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0820469249" title="Special:BookSources/978-0820469249"><bdi>978-0820469249</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Middle+Eastern+leaders+and+Islam%3A+A+precarious+equilibrium&rft.pages=67&rft.pub=Peter+Lang&rft.date=2007&rft.isbn=978-0820469249&rft.aulast=Alianak&rft.aufirst=Sonia&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span>;<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBowen2007" class="citation book cs1">Bowen, Wayne H. (2007). <i>The history of Saudi Arabia</i>. Greenwood Press. pp. 15, 108. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0313340123" title="Special:BookSources/978-0313340123"><bdi>978-0313340123</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+history+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=15%2C+108&rft.pub=Greenwood+Press&rft.date=2007&rft.isbn=978-0313340123&rft.aulast=Bowen&rft.aufirst=Wayne+H.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span>;<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-the-corrupt-feudal-world-of-the-house-of-saud-538468.html">"The corrupt, feudal world of the House of Saud"</a>. <i>The Independent</i>. London. 14 May 2003. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20111010181738/http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-the-corrupt-feudal-world-of-the-house-of-saud-538468.html">Archived</a> from the original on 10 October 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">21 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Independent&rft.atitle=The+corrupt%2C+feudal+world+of+the+House+of+Saud&rft.date=2003-05-14&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fopinion%2Fcommentators%2Ffisk%2Frobert-fisk-the-corrupt-feudal-world-of-the-house-of-saud-538468.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span>; from the 1990s:<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAbir1993" class="citation book cs1">Abir, Mordechai (1993). <i>Saudi Arabia: Government, society, and the Gulf crisis</i>. Routledge. p. 73. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0415093255" title="Special:BookSources/978-0415093255"><bdi>978-0415093255</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saudi+Arabia%3A+Government%2C+society%2C+and+the+Gulf+crisis&rft.pages=73&rft.pub=Routledge&rft.date=1993&rft.isbn=978-0415093255&rft.aulast=Abir&rft.aufirst=Mordechai&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span>; <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFDavis1996" class="citation book cs1">Davis, M. Jane (1996). <i>Security issues in the post-cold war world</i>. Edward Elgar. p. 81. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1858983349" title="Special:BookSources/978-1858983349"><bdi>978-1858983349</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Security+issues+in+the+post-cold+war+world&rft.pages=81&rft.pub=Edward+Elgar&rft.date=1996&rft.isbn=978-1858983349&rft.aulast=Davis&rft.aufirst=M.+Jane&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span>; from the 1980s:<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHolden1982" class="citation book cs1">Holden, William (1982). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/saudiarabiaitsro00powe/page/154"><i>Saudi Arabia and its royal family</i></a>. L. Stuart. pp. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/saudiarabiaitsro00powe/page/154">154–156</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0818403268" title="Special:BookSources/0818403268"><bdi>0818403268</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saudi+Arabia+and+its+royal+family&rft.pages=154-156&rft.pub=L.+Stuart&rft.date=1982&rft.isbn=0818403268&rft.aulast=Holden&rft.aufirst=William&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fsaudiarabiaitsro00powe%2Fpage%2F154&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span>;<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCurtis1986" class="citation book cs1">Curtis, Michael (1986). <i>The Middle East reader</i>. Transaction Books. p. 235. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0887381010" title="Special:BookSources/978-0887381010"><bdi>978-0887381010</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Middle+East+reader&rft.pages=235&rft.pub=Transaction+Books&rft.date=1986&rft.isbn=978-0887381010&rft.aulast=Curtis&rft.aufirst=Michael&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Kamrava-68"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Kamrava_68-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKamrava2011" class="citation book cs1">Kamrava, Mehran (2011). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=CkLHZCzMEJkC&q=%22saudi+Arabia%22+name+reflects&pg=PA67"><i>The Modern Middle East: A Political History Since the First World War</i></a>. University of California Press. p. 67. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0520267749" title="Special:BookSources/978-0520267749"><bdi>978-0520267749</bdi></a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230117132433/https://books.google.com/books?id=CkLHZCzMEJkC&q=%22saudi+Arabia%22+name+reflects&pg=PA67">Archived</a> from the original on 17 January 2023<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Modern+Middle+East%3A+A+Political+History+Since+the+First+World+War&rft.pages=67&rft.pub=University+of+California+Press&rft.date=2011&rft.isbn=978-0520267749&rft.aulast=Kamrava&rft.aufirst=Mehran&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DCkLHZCzMEJkC%26q%3D%2522saudi%2BArabia%2522%2Bname%2Breflects%26pg%3DPA67&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-69"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-69">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBurbachClarke,_Ben2002" class="citation book cs1">Burbach, Roger; Clarke, Ben (2002). <i>September 11 and the U.S. war: beyond the curtain of smoke</i>. City Lights Publishers. p. 32. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0872864047" title="Special:BookSources/978-0872864047"><bdi>978-0872864047</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=September+11+and+the+U.S.+war%3A+beyond+the+curtain+of+smoke&rft.pages=32&rft.pub=City+Lights+Publishers&rft.date=2002&rft.isbn=978-0872864047&rft.aulast=Burbach&rft.aufirst=Roger&rft.au=Clarke%2C+Ben&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-70"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-70">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFFreedom_House2005" class="citation book cs1">Freedom House (2005). <i>Freedom in the Middle East and North Africa: A Freedom in the World Special Edition</i>. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 63. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0742537750" title="Special:BookSources/978-0742537750"><bdi>978-0742537750</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Freedom+in+the+Middle+East+and+North+Africa%3A+A+Freedom+in+the+World+Special+Edition&rft.pages=63&rft.pub=Rowman+%26+Littlefield&rft.date=2005&rft.isbn=978-0742537750&rft.au=Freedom+House&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-71"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-71">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBergman2001" class="citation news cs1">Bergman, Lowell (9 October 2001). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/09/world/nation-challenged-plots-saudi-arabia-also-target-attacks-us-officials-say.html">"A Nation Challenged: The Plots; Saudi Arabia Also a Target of Attacks, U.S. Officials Say"</a>. <i>The New York Times</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180614195125/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/09/world/nation-challenged-plots-saudi-arabia-also-target-attacks-us-officials-say.html">Archived</a> from the original on 14 June 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">21 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+New+York+Times&rft.atitle=A+Nation+Challenged%3A+The+Plots%3B+Saudi+Arabia+Also+a+Target+of+Attacks%2C+U.S.+Officials+Say&rft.date=2001-10-09&rft.aulast=Bergman&rft.aufirst=Lowell&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2001%2F10%2F09%2Fworld%2Fnation-challenged-plots-saudi-arabia-also-target-attacks-us-officials-say.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-72"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-72">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFOttaway2008" class="citation book cs1">Ottaway, David (2008). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/kingsmessengerpr00otta_0/page/162"><i>The King's Messenger. Prince Bandar bin Sultan and America's Tangled Relationship with Saudi Arabia</i></a>. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/kingsmessengerpr00otta_0/page/162">162</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0802716903" title="Special:BookSources/978-0802716903"><bdi>978-0802716903</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+King%27s+Messenger.+Prince+Bandar+bin+Sultan+and+America%27s+Tangled+Relationship+with+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=162&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=978-0802716903&rft.aulast=Ottaway&rft.aufirst=David&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fkingsmessengerpr00otta_0%2Fpage%2F162&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-73"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-73">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230117132440/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/">"Saudi bribe claims delay £20bn fighter deal"</a>. <i>The Times</i>. London. 7 June 2007. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article1899614.ece">the original</a> on 17 January 2023<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">21 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Times&rft.atitle=Saudi+bribe+claims+delay+%C2%A320bn+fighter+deal&rft.date=2007-06-07&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesonline.co.uk%2Ftol%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Fmiddle_east%2Farticle1899614.ece&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-PBS-74"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-PBS_74-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/terrorism/interviews/bandar.html">"Interview: Bandar bin Sultan"</a>. PBS. 2001. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190331223114/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/terrorism/interviews/bandar.html">Archived</a> from the original on 31 March 2019<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">20 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Interview%3A+Bandar+bin+Sultan&rft.pub=PBS&rft.date=2001&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fwgbh%2Fpages%2Ffrontline%2Fshows%2Fterrorism%2Finterviews%2Fbandar.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-75"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-75">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCordesmanCorobaidNawaf2005" class="citation book cs1">Cordesman, Anthony H.; Corobaid; Nawaf (2005). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/nationalsecurity00cord/page/284"><i>National Security in Saudi Arabia: Threats, Responses, and Challenges</i></a>. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/nationalsecurity00cord/page/284">284</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0275988111" title="Special:BookSources/978-0275988111"><bdi>978-0275988111</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=National+Security+in+Saudi+Arabia%3A+Threats%2C+Responses%2C+and+Challenges&rft.pages=284&rft.date=2005&rft.isbn=978-0275988111&rft.aulast=Cordesman&rft.aufirst=Anthony+H.&rft.au=Corobaid&rft.au=Nawaf&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fnationalsecurity00cord%2Fpage%2F284&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-76"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-76">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLeighEvans2007" class="citation news cs1">Leigh, David; Evans, Rob (7 June 2007). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jun/07/bae1">"BAE accused of secretly paying £1bn to Saudi prince"</a>. <i>The Guardian</i>. London. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130727005051/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/jun/07/bae1">Archived</a> from the original on 27 July 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">21 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Guardian&rft.atitle=BAE+accused+of+secretly+paying+%C2%A31bn+to+Saudi+prince&rft.date=2007-06-07&rft.aulast=Leigh&rft.aufirst=David&rft.au=Evans%2C+Rob&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2007%2Fjun%2F07%2Fbae1&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span>; <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110807192427/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2498504.ece">"BAE Systems sued over alleged Saudi bribes"</a>. <i>The Times</i>. London. 20 September 2007. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2498504.ece">the original</a> on 7 August 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">21 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Times&rft.atitle=BAE+Systems+sued+over+alleged+Saudi+bribes&rft.date=2007-09-20&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fbusiness.timesonline.co.uk%2Ftol%2Fbusiness%2Flaw%2Farticle2498504.ece&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-77"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-77">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110807192409/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article1914426.ece">"Prince Bandar denies BAE bribery claims"</a>. <i>The Times</i>. London. 11 June 2007. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article1914426.ece">the original</a> on 7 August 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 July</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Times&rft.atitle=Prince+Bandar+denies+BAE+bribery+claims&rft.date=2007-06-11&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fbusiness.timesonline.co.uk%2Ftol%2Fbusiness%2Findustry_sectors%2Fengineering%2Farticle1914426.ece&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-78"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-78">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8501916.stm">"Lord Goldsmith defends BAE Systems plea deal"</a>. BBC. 6 February 2010. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220718064140/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8501916.stm">Archived</a> from the original on 18 July 2022<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">21 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Lord+Goldsmith+defends+BAE+Systems+plea+deal&rft.date=2010-02-06&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F1%2Fhi%2Fbusiness%2F8501916.stm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-79"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-79">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120425163935/http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010/results">"Corruption Perceptions Index 2010"</a>. Transparency International. 15 December 2010. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010/results">the original</a> on 25 April 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">28 April</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Corruption+Perceptions+Index+2010&rft.pub=Transparency+International&rft.date=2010-12-15&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.transparency.org%2Fpolicy_research%2Fsurveys_indices%2Fcpi%2F2010%2Fresults&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-80"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-80">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://theindependent.in/Saudi-Arabia-arrests-princes-crown-prince-Mohammed-bin-Salman-consolidates-powers/">"Saudi Arabia arrests Princes, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman consolidates powers"</a>. theindependent.in. 5 November 2017. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210308011648/https://theindependent.in/Saudi-Arabia-arrests-princes-crown-prince-Mohammed-bin-Salman-consolidates-powers/">Archived</a> from the original on 8 March 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">1 April</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Saudi+Arabia+arrests+Princes%2C+Crown+Prince+Mohammed+bin+Salman+consolidates+powers&rft.pub=theindependent.in&rft.date=2017-11-05&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Ftheindependent.in%2FSaudi-Arabia-arrests-princes-crown-prince-Mohammed-bin-Salman-consolidates-powers%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-81"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-81">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHaagGrynbaum2018" class="citation news cs1">Haag, Matthew; Grynbaum, Michael M. (11 December 2018). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/11/business/media/jamal-khashoggi-person-of-the-year-time.html">"Time Names Person of the Year for 2018: Jamal Khashoggi and Other Journalists"</a>. <i>The New York Times</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181211214442/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/11/business/media/jamal-khashoggi-person-of-the-year-time.html">Archived</a> from the original on 11 December 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 July</span> 2022</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+New+York+Times&rft.atitle=Time+Names+Person+of+the+Year+for+2018%3A+Jamal+Khashoggi+and+Other+Journalists&rft.date=2018-12-11&rft.aulast=Haag&rft.aufirst=Matthew&rft.au=Grynbaum%2C+Michael+M.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F12%2F11%2Fbusiness%2Fmedia%2Fjamal-khashoggi-person-of-the-year-time.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-82"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-82">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/06/world/MiddleEast/Saudi-royal-arrest.html">"Saudi Prince Details Senior Members of Royal Family"</a>. <i>The New York Times</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200306220027/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/06/world/middleeast/saudi-royal-arrest.html">Archived</a> from the original on 6 March 2020<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 March</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+New+York+Times&rft.atitle=Saudi+Prince+Details+Senior+Members+of+Royal+Family&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2020%2F03%2F06%2Fworld%2FMiddleEast%2FSaudi-royal-arrest.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-83"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-83">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/17/saudi-arabia-new-mass-corruption-arrests">"Saudi Arabia: New Mass Corruption Arrests"</a>. <i>Human Rights Watch</i>. 17 March 2020. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200328032625/https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/17/saudi-arabia-new-mass-corruption-arrests">Archived</a> from the original on 28 March 2020<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 March</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Human+Rights+Watch&rft.atitle=Saudi+Arabia%3A+New+Mass+Corruption+Arrests&rft.date=2020-03-17&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hrw.org%2Fnews%2F2020%2F03%2F17%2Fsaudi-arabia-new-mass-corruption-arrests&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-84"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-84">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/09/saudi-ex-spy-suing-crown-prince-faces-fresh-death-threat-in-canada-report">"Saudi ex-spy suing crown prince faces fresh death threat in Canada – report"</a>. <i>The Guardian</i>. 9 August 2020. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200809020632/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/09/saudi-ex-spy-suing-crown-prince-faces-fresh-death-threat-in-canada-report">Archived</a> from the original on 9 August 2020<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 August</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Guardian&rft.atitle=Saudi+ex-spy+suing+crown+prince+faces+fresh+death+threat+in+Canada+%E2%80%93+report&rft.date=2020-08-09&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2020%2Faug%2F09%2Fsaudi-ex-spy-suing-crown-prince-faces-fresh-death-threat-in-canada-report&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-85"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-85">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSalama2021" class="citation web cs1">Salama, Samir, ed. (15 March 2021). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-arabia-arrests-241-in-new-corruption-crackdown-1.77838687">"Saudi Arabia arrests 241 in new corruption crackdown"</a>. <i>Gulf News</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210315205946/https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-arabia-arrests-241-in-new-corruption-crackdown-1.77838687">Archived</a> from the original on 15 March 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">15 March</span> 2021</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Gulf+News&rft.atitle=Saudi+Arabia+arrests+241+in+new+corruption+crackdown&rft.date=2021-03-15&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fgulfnews.com%2Fworld%2Fgulf%2Fsaudi%2Fsaudi-arabia-arrests-241-in-new-corruption-crackdown-1.77838687&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Al-Rasheed242-86"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Al-Rasheed242_86-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Al-Rasheed242_86-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAl_Rasheed2010" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Madawi_al-Rasheed" title="Madawi al-Rasheed">Al Rasheed, M.</a> (2010). <i>A History of Saudi Arabia</i>. pp. 180, <span class="nowrap">242–</span>243, 248, <span class="nowrap">257–</span>258. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0521747547" title="Special:BookSources/978-0521747547"><bdi>978-0521747547</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=A+History+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=180%2C+%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E242-%3C%2Fspan%3E243%2C+248%2C+%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E257-%3C%2Fspan%3E258&rft.date=2010&rft.isbn=978-0521747547&rft.aulast=Al+Rasheed&rft.aufirst=M.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-87"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-87">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><span class="id-lock-subscription" title="Paid subscription required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/31b61bc4-fb3a-11dd-bcad-000077b07658.html#axzz1Q0pylGRj">"Saudi king speeds reforms"</a></span>. <i>The Financial Times</i>. 15 February 2009. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/31b61bc4-fb3a-11dd-bcad-000077b07658.html#axzz1Q0pylGRj">Archived</a> from the original on 10 December 2022<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Financial+Times&rft.atitle=Saudi+king+speeds+reforms&rft.date=2009-02-15&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F31b61bc4-fb3a-11dd-bcad-000077b07658.html%23axzz1Q0pylGRj&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span>;<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><span class="id-lock-subscription" title="Paid subscription required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2c0d7fcc-1b1b-11de-8aa3-0000779fd2ac.html#axzz1Q0pylGRj">"Prince Naif appointed deputy Saudi PM"</a></span>. <i>The Financial Times</i>. 27 March 2009. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2c0d7fcc-1b1b-11de-8aa3-0000779fd2ac.html#axzz1Q0pylGRj">Archived</a> from the original on 10 December 2022<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Financial+Times&rft.atitle=Prince+Naif+appointed+deputy+Saudi+PM&rft.date=2009-03-27&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F2c0d7fcc-1b1b-11de-8aa3-0000779fd2ac.html%23axzz1Q0pylGRj&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-88"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-88">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.economist.com/node/17149062?story_id=17149062&fsrc=rss">"Reform in Saudi Arabia: At a snail's pace"</a>. <i>The Economist</i>. 30 September 2010. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171014041446/http://www.economist.com/node/17149062?story_id=17149062&fsrc=rss">Archived</a> from the original on 14 October 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Economist&rft.atitle=Reform+in+Saudi+Arabia%3A+At+a+snail%27s+pace&rft.date=2010-09-30&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.economist.com%2Fnode%2F17149062%3Fstory_id%3D17149062%26fsrc%3Drss&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-oman_observer_electionday-89"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-oman_observer_electionday_89-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-oman_observer_electionday_89-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120119050656/http://main.omanobserver.om/node/66706">"Saudis vote in municipal elections, results on Sunday"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Oman_Observer" class="mw-redirect" title="Oman Observer">Oman Observer</a></i>. <a href="/wiki/Agence_France-Presse" title="Agence France-Presse">Agence France-Presse</a>. 30 September 2011. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://main.omanobserver.om/node/66706">the original</a> on 19 January 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">14 December</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Oman+Observer&rft.atitle=Saudis+vote+in+municipal+elections%2C+results+on+Sunday&rft.date=2011-09-30&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fmain.omanobserver.om%2Fnode%2F66706&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-90"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-90">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLong2005" class="citation book cs1">Long, David E. (2005). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/culturecustomsof00long/page/85"><i>Culture and Customs of Saudi Arabia</i></a>. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/culturecustomsof00long/page/85">85</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0313320217" title="Special:BookSources/978-0313320217"><bdi>978-0313320217</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Culture+and+Customs+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=85&rft.date=2005&rft.isbn=978-0313320217&rft.aulast=Long&rft.aufirst=David+E.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fculturecustomsof00long%2Fpage%2F85&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Cavendish92-91"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Cavendish92_91-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCavendish2007" class="citation book cs1">Cavendish, Marshall (2007). <span class="id-lock-limited" title="Free access subject to limited trial, subscription normally required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/worlditspeoplesm0000unse"><i>World and Its Peoples: the Arabian Peninsula</i></a></span>. pp. <span class="nowrap">92–</span>93. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0761475712" title="Special:BookSources/978-0761475712"><bdi>978-0761475712</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=World+and+Its+Peoples%3A+the+Arabian+Peninsula&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E92-%3C%2Fspan%3E93&rft.date=2007&rft.isbn=978-0761475712&rft.aulast=Cavendish&rft.aufirst=Marshall&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fworlditspeoplesm0000unse&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-92"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-92">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBarenek,_Ondrej2009" class="citation journal cs1">Barenek, Ondrej (2009). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.brandeis.edu/crown/publications/meb/MEB33.pdf">"Divided We Survive: A Landscape of Fragmentation in Saudi Arabia"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. <i>Middle East Brief</i> (33). Brandeis University Crown Center for Middle East Studies. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194313/http://www.brandeis.edu/crown/publications/meb/MEB33.pdf">Archived</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> from the original on 23 September 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">29 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Middle+East+Brief&rft.atitle=Divided+We+Survive%3A+A+Landscape+of+Fragmentation+in+Saudi+Arabia&rft.issue=33&rft.date=2009&rft.au=Barenek%2C+Ondrej&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brandeis.edu%2Fcrown%2Fpublications%2Fmeb%2FMEB33.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Cordesman_2009-93"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Cordesman_2009_93-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCordesman2009" class="citation book cs1">Cordesman, Anthony H. (2009). <i>Saudi Arabia: national security in a troubled region</i>. 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">29 January</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Montreal+Gazette&rft.atitle=Flood+sparks+rare+action&rft.date=2011-01-29&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fmontrealgazette.com%2Fnews%2FFlood%2Bsparks%2Brare%2Baction%2F4189873%2Fstory.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Reuters_Dozens_detained-95"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Reuters_Dozens_detained_95-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/middle-east/140720-dozens-detained-in-saudi-over-flood-protests.html">"Dozens detained in Saudi over flood protests"</a>. <a href="/wiki/The_Peninsula_(newspaper)" title="The Peninsula (newspaper)">The Peninsula</a> (Qatar)/<a href="/wiki/Thomson-Reuters" class="mw-redirect" title="Thomson-Reuters">Thomson-Reuters</a>. 29 January 2011. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110302150701/http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/middle-east/140720-dozens-detained-in-saudi-over-flood-protests.html">Archived</a> from the original on 2 March 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">31 January</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Dozens+detained+in+Saudi+over+flood+protests&rft.date=2011-01-29&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thepeninsulaqatar.com%2Fmiddle-east%2F140720-dozens-detained-in-saudi-over-flood-protests.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-96"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-96">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/07/saudi-crown-prince-uk-visit">"Saudi crown prince's UK visit prompts heavy criticism by opposition"</a>. <i>The Guardian</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180307175306/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/07/saudi-crown-prince-uk-visit">Archived</a> from the original on 7 March 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">7 March</span> 2018</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Guardian&rft.atitle=Saudi+crown+prince%27s+UK+visit+prompts+heavy+criticism+by+opposition&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fuk-news%2F2018%2Fmar%2F07%2Fsaudi-crown-prince-uk-visit&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-97"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-97">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/saudis-exiled-defy-mbs-rule-new-political-party-demand-democracy-2020-9?r=US&IR=T">"Exiled Saudi Arabian dissidents have launched a political party they hope will dethrone MBS and open the door to democracy"</a>. <i>Business Insider</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201110134735/https://www.businessinsider.com/saudis-exiled-defy-mbs-rule-new-political-party-demand-democracy-2020-9?r=US&IR=T">Archived</a> from the original on 10 November 2020<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">25 September</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Business+Insider&rft.atitle=Exiled+Saudi+Arabian+dissidents+have+launched+a+political+party+they+hope+will+dethrone+MBS+and+open+the+door+to+democracy&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fsaudis-exiled-defy-mbs-rule-new-political-party-demand-democracy-2020-9%3Fr%3DUS%26IR%3DT&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-98"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-98">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFJohnston2003" class="citation news cs1">Johnston, David (9 September 2003). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E4DD143BF93AA3575AC0A9659C8B63">"Two years later: 9/11 Tactics; Official Says Qaeda Recruited Saudi Hijackers to Strain Ties"</a>. <i>The New York Times</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101124105445/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E4DD143BF93AA3575AC0A9659C8B63">Archived</a> from the original on 24 November 2010<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">19 May</span> 2008</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+New+York+Times&rft.atitle=Two+years+later%3A+9%2F11+Tactics%3B+Official+Says+Qaeda+Recruited+Saudi+Hijackers+to+Strain+Ties&rft.date=2003-09-09&rft.aulast=Johnston&rft.aufirst=David&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fquery.nytimes.com%2Fgst%2Ffullpage.html%3Fres%3D9803E4DD143BF93AA3575AC0A9659C8B63&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-iags.org-99"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-iags.org_99-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFIAGS" class="citation web cs1">IAGS, Institute. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.iags.org/fuelingterror.html">"Fueling Terror"</a>. <i>Energy Security in Focus</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210204125518/http://www.iags.org/fuelingterror.html">Archived</a> from the original on 4 February 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">26 September</span> 2021</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Energy+Security+in+Focus&rft.atitle=Fueling+Terror&rft.aulast=IAGS&rft.aufirst=Institute&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iags.org%2Ffuelingterror.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Fisk_troops-100"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Fisk_troops_100-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFFisk2011" class="citation news cs1">Fisk, Robert (5 May 2011). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudis-mobilise-thousands-of-troops-to-quell-growing-revolt-2232928.html">"Saudis mobilise thousands of troops to quell growing revolt"</a>. <i>The Independent</i>. London. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110306080218/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudis-mobilise-thousands-of-troops-to-quell-growing-revolt-2232928.html">Archived</a> from the original on 6 March 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">3 May</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Independent&rft.atitle=Saudis+mobilise+thousands+of+troops+to+quell+growing+revolt&rft.date=2011-05-05&rft.aulast=Fisk&rft.aufirst=Robert&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Fmiddle-east%2Fsaudis-mobilise-thousands-of-troops-to-quell-growing-revolt-2232928.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-101"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-101">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFEvans-Pritchard2011" class="citation news cs1">Evans-Pritchard, Ambrose (24 February 2011). <span class="id-lock-subscription" title="Paid subscription required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/oilprices/8344421/Saudi-ruler-offers-36bn-to-stave-off-uprising-amid-warning-oil-price-could-double.html">"Saudi ruler offers $36bn to stave off uprising amid warning oil price could double"</a></span>. <i>The Daily Telegraph</i>. London. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/oilprices/8344421/Saudi-ruler-offers-36bn-to-stave-off-uprising-amid-warning-oil-price-could-double.html">Archived</a> from the original on 12 January 2022.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Daily+Telegraph&rft.atitle=Saudi+ruler+offers+%2436bn+to+stave+off+uprising+amid+warning+oil+price+could+double&rft.date=2011-02-24&rft.aulast=Evans-Pritchard&rft.aufirst=Ambrose&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Ffinance%2Foilprices%2F8344421%2FSaudi-ruler-offers-36bn-to-stave-off-uprising-amid-warning-oil-price-could-double.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-102"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-102">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.arabianbusiness.com/saudi-king-gives-billion-dollar-cash-boost-housing-jobs--382623.html">"Saudi king gives billion-dollar cash boost to housing, jobs"</a>. <i>Arabian Business</i>. 23 February 2011. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170702061357/http://www.arabianbusiness.com/saudi-king-gives-billion-dollar-cash-boost-housing-jobs--382623.html">Archived</a> from the original on 2 July 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 May</span> 2016</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Arabian+Business&rft.atitle=Saudi+king+gives+billion-dollar+cash+boost+to+housing%2C+jobs&rft.date=2011-02-23&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.arabianbusiness.com%2Fsaudi-king-gives-billion-dollar-cash-boost-housing-jobs--382623.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-103"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-103">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130928024630/http://www.us-sabc.org/custom/news/details.cfm?id=957#.UkGdfT_FMpE">"King Abdullah Returns to Kingdom, Enacts Measures to Boost the Economy"</a>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.us-sabc.org/custom/news/details.cfm?id=957#.UkGdfT_FMpE">the original</a> on 28 September 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 May</span> 2016</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=King+Abdullah+Returns+to+Kingdom%2C+Enacts+Measures+to+Boost+the+Economy&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.us-sabc.org%2Fcustom%2Fnews%2Fdetails.cfm%3Fid%3D957%23.UkGdfT_FMpE&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-AlJazeeraEnglishBenefits-104"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-AlJazeeraEnglishBenefits_104-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011223105328424268.html">"Saudi king announces new benefits"</a>. Al Jazeera English. 23 February 2011. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110806003657/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011223105328424268.html">Archived</a> from the original on 6 August 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">23 February</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Saudi+king+announces+new+benefits&rft.date=2011-02-23&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fenglish.aljazeera.net%2Fnews%2Fmiddleeast%2F2011%2F02%2F2011223105328424268.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-theguardian.com-105"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-theguardian.com_105-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/18/saudi-arabia-job-housing-package">"Saudi Arabia's king announces huge jobs and housing package"</a>. <i>The Guardian</i>. 18 March 2011. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171018122601/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/18/saudi-arabia-job-housing-package">Archived</a> from the original on 18 October 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 May</span> 2016</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Guardian&rft.atitle=Saudi+Arabia%27s+king+announces+huge+jobs+and+housing+package&rft.date=2011-03-18&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2011%2Fmar%2F18%2Fsaudi-arabia-job-housing-package&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-106"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-106">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-18/saudi-arabian-king-abdullah-boosts-spending-as-protests-sweep-arab-world.html">"Saudi King to Spend $67 Billion on Housing, Jobs in Bid to Pacify Citizens"</a>. <i>Bloomberg</i>. 18 March 2011. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150126050910/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-18/saudi-arabian-king-abdullah-boosts-spending-as-protests-sweep-arab-world.html">Archived</a> from the original on 26 January 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 March</span> 2017</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Bloomberg&rft.atitle=Saudi+King+to+Spend+%2467+Billion+on+Housing%2C+Jobs+in+Bid+to+Pacify+Citizens&rft.date=2011-03-18&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2F2011-03-18%2Fsaudi-arabian-king-abdullah-boosts-spending-as-protests-sweep-arab-world.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-107"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-107">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110724010911/http://www.opendemocracy.net/bobby-thomas-cameron/critical-thoughts-on-critical-thinking-in-saudi-arabia">"Critical thoughts on critical thinking in Saudi Arabia"</a>. <i>openDemocracy</i>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/bobby-thomas-cameron/critical-thoughts-on-critical-thinking-in-saudi-arabia">the original</a> on 24 July 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 May</span> 2016</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=openDemocracy&rft.atitle=Critical+thoughts+on+critical+thinking+in+Saudi+Arabia&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.opendemocracy.net%2Fbobby-thomas-cameron%2Fcritical-thoughts-on-critical-thinking-in-saudi-arabia&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-108"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-108">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLacey2009" class="citation book cs1">Lacey, Robert (2009). <i>Inside the Kingdom</i>. Arrow. p. 97. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0099539056" title="Special:BookSources/978-0099539056"><bdi>978-0099539056</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Inside+the+Kingdom&rft.pages=97&rft.pub=Arrow&rft.date=2009&rft.isbn=978-0099539056&rft.aulast=Lacey&rft.aufirst=Robert&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-lacey-267-109"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-lacey-267_109-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLacey2009" class="citation book cs1">Lacey, Robert (2009). <span class="id-lock-registration" title="Free registration required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/insidekingdomkin00lace_0"><i>Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists, and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia</i></a></span>. Viking. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/insidekingdomkin00lace_0/page/267">267</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0670021185" title="Special:BookSources/978-0670021185"><bdi>978-0670021185</bdi></a>. <q>Abdullah was already the first Saudi ruler to have presided over elections. Admittedly the voting, held in the spring of 2005, was only for local, virtually powerless municipal councils – and then for only half the seats on those; women were not allowed to stand for office or to vote. But the male electorate got the change to eat large quantities of mutton for three weeks since Saudi electioneering proved to revolve around lamb and tents ... the candidate held court, inviting voters inside [their tents] and plying them with mountains of rice and whole roasted sheep.</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Inside+the+Kingdom%3A+Kings%2C+Clerics%2C+Modernists%2C+Terrorists%2C+and+the+Struggle+for+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=267&rft.pub=Viking&rft.date=2009&rft.isbn=978-0670021185&rft.aulast=Lacey&rft.aufirst=Robert&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Finsidekingdomkin00lace_0&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Al-Rasheed_248-250-110"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Al-Rasheed_248-250_110-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Al-Rasheed_248-250_110-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAl-Rasheed2010" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Madawi_al-Rasheed" title="Madawi al-Rasheed">Al-Rasheed, M.</a> (2010). <i>A History of Saudi Arabia</i>. Cambridge University Press. pp. <span class="nowrap">248–</span>250. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0521747547" title="Special:BookSources/978-0521747547"><bdi>978-0521747547</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=A+History+of+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E248-%3C%2Fspan%3E250&rft.pub=Cambridge+University+Press&rft.date=2010&rft.isbn=978-0521747547&rft.aulast=Al-Rasheed&rft.aufirst=M.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-111"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-111">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-15052030">"Women in Saudi Arabia to vote and run in elections"</a>. <i>BBC News</i>. 25 September 2011. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211018101520/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-15052030">Archived</a> from the original on 18 October 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">26 September</span> 2021</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=BBC+News&rft.atitle=Women+in+Saudi+Arabia+to+vote+and+run+in+elections&rft.date=2011-09-25&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fworld-us-canada-15052030&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-lacey-268-112"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-lacey-268_112-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLacey2009" class="citation book cs1">Lacey, Robert (2009). <span class="id-lock-registration" title="Free registration required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/insidekingdomkin00lace_0"><i>Inside the Kingdom : Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists, and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia</i></a></span>. Viking. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/insidekingdomkin00lace_0/page/268">268</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0670021185" title="Special:BookSources/978-0670021185"><bdi>978-0670021185</bdi></a>. <q>The results of the voting proved the truth of what Fahd once prophesied about elections – it was usually the religious who won. Candidates with Western sympathies or any suspicion of secularism lost out heavily to hardline conservatives who were endorsed by the local religious establishment. Imams and holy men made their opinions felt through `golden lists` of religiously approved candidates, sent out to voters on their cell phones... The vote also provided statistical backing for the analysis that informed observers had long maintained – that for all their faults, and quite contrary to their stereotypical reputation, the House of Saud provided a minority force pushing for Western secular change in a Kingdom of largely retrograde caution.</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Inside+the+Kingdom+%3A+Kings%2C+Clerics%2C+Modernists%2C+Terrorists%2C+and+the+Struggle+for+Saudi+Arabia&rft.pages=268&rft.pub=Viking&rft.date=2009&rft.isbn=978-0670021185&rft.aulast=Lacey&rft.aufirst=Robert&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Finsidekingdomkin00lace_0&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-alawsat_details-113"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-alawsat_details_113-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFal-Suhaimy2011" class="citation news cs1">al-Suhaimy, Abeed (23 March 2011). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110501185625/http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1">"Saudi Arabia announces municipal elections"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Asharq_al-Awsat" class="mw-redirect" title="Asharq al-Awsat">Asharq al-Awsat</a>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=24616">the original</a> on 1 May 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2 April</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Saudi+Arabia+announces+municipal+elections&rft.date=2011-03-23&rft.aulast=al-Suhaimy&rft.aufirst=Abeed&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aawsat.com%2Fenglish%2Fnews.asp%3Fsection%3D1%26id%3D24616&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-bloom_women-114"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-bloom_women_114-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAbu-Nasr2011" class="citation news cs1">Abu-Nasr, Donna (28 March 2011). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-28/saudi-women-inspired-by-revolt-against-mubarak-go-online-to-seek-equality.html">"Saudi Women Inspired by Fall of Mubarak Step Up Equality Demand"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Bloomberg_L.P." title="Bloomberg L.P.">Bloomberg</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110401030633/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-28/saudi-women-inspired-by-revolt-against-mubarak-go-online-to-seek-equality.html">Archived</a> from the original on 1 April 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2 April</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Saudi+Women+Inspired+by+Fall+of+Mubarak+Step+Up+Equality+Demand&rft.date=2011-03-28&rft.aulast=Abu-Nasr&rft.aufirst=Donna&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2F2011-03-28%2Fsaudi-women-inspired-by-revolt-against-mubarak-go-online-to-seek-equality.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-115"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-115">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">'Islamist win' in key Saudi poll, BBC News, 11 February 2005, <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4252079.stm">"<span class="cs1-kern-left"></span>'Islamist win' in key Saudi poll"</a>. <i>BBC News</i>. 11 February 2005. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190904063732/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4252079.stm">Archived</a> from the original on 4 September 2019<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">26 September</span> 2021</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=BBC+News&rft.atitle=%27Islamist+win%27+in+key+Saudi+poll&rft.date=2005-02-11&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F2%2Fhi%2Fmiddle_east%2F4252079.stm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-116"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-116">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Aarts & Nonneman, op. cit., pp. 449-453.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-117"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-117">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Carnegie An endowment, Arab Reform Bulletin, May 2009, <a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="http://www.carnegieendowment.org/arb/?fa=show&article=23151">http://www.carnegieendowment.org/arb/?fa=show&article=23151</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110607134507/http://www.carnegieendowment.org/arb/?fa=show&article=23151">Archived</a> 7 June 2011 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a> Accessed 8 June 2009</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-118"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-118">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSaudi_Gazette2012" class="citation news cs1">Saudi Gazette (2 January 2012). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120218144224/http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009021629410">"Govt shake-up hailed as a bold step"</a>. <i>Saudi Gazette</i>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009021629410">the original</a> on 18 February 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">20 October</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Saudi+Gazette&rft.atitle=Govt+shake-up+hailed+as+a+bold+step&rft.date=2012-01-02&rft.au=Saudi+Gazette&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saudigazette.com.sa%2Findex.cfm%3Fmethod%3Dhome.regcon%26contentID%3D2009021629410&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-119"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-119">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/110/article_2897.asp">"RFI – Religious hard-liners take a hit in King's reshuffle"</a>. Rfi.fr. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170914220732/http://www1.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/110/article_2897.asp">Archived</a> from the original on 14 September 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">20 October</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=RFI+%E2%80%93+Religious+hard-liners+take+a+hit+in+King%27s+reshuffle&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rfi.fr%2Factuen%2Farticles%2F110%2Farticle_2897.asp&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-120"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-120">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7890211.stm">"Major reshuffle in Saudi Arabia"</a>. <i>BBC News</i>. 14 February 2009. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170914222002/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7890211.stm">Archived</a> from the original on 14 September 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=BBC+News&rft.atitle=Major+reshuffle+in+Saudi+Arabia&rft.date=2009-02-14&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F2%2Fhi%2Fmiddle_east%2F7890211.stm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3APolitics+of+Saudi+Arabia" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> </ol></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="External_links">External links</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia&action=edit&section=18" title="Edit section: External links"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.saudi.gov.sa/">Saudi National e-Government Portal</a> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.saudiembassy.net/">The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia – United States; Washington, DC</a></li></ul></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090903190342/http://www.carnegieendowment.org/arb/?fa=showTag&tagID=1000177&type=region">Carnegie Endowment, Arab Reform Bulletin: 'Saudi Arabia'</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160906231821/http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/middle-east-north-africa/saudi-arabia/show-all.aspx">Saudi Arabia Corruption Profile</a> from the Business Anti-Corruption Portal</li></ul> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236075235">.mw-parser-output .navbox{box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #a2a9b1;width:100%;clear:both;font-size:88%;text-align:center;padding:1px;margin:1em auto 0}.mw-parser-output .navbox .navbox{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output 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href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r886047488"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Saudi_Arabia_articles633" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible mw-collapsed navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="3"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Saudi_Arabia_topics" title="Template:Saudi Arabia topics"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Saudi_Arabia_topics" title="Template talk:Saudi Arabia topics"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Saudi_Arabia_topics" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Saudi 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Caliphate</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Abbasid_Caliphate" title="Abbasid Caliphate">Abbasid Caliphate</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Emirate_of_Diriyah" title="Emirate of Diriyah">Emirate of Diriyah</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Emirate_of_Nejd" title="Emirate of Nejd">Emirate of Nejd</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kingdom_of_Hejaz" title="Kingdom of Hejaz">Kingdom of Hejaz</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Unification_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Unification of Saudi Arabia">Unification</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Modern_history_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Modern history of Saudi Arabia">Modern history</a></li></ul> </div></td><td class="noviewer navbox-image" rowspan="5" style="width:1px;padding:0 0 0 2px"><div><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Emblem of Saudi Arabia"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg/100px-Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg.png" decoding="async" width="100" height="111" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg/150px-Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg/200px-Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia_%282%29.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="567" /></a></span></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Geography_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Geography of Saudi Arabia">Geography</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Template:Borders_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Template:Borders of Saudi Arabia">Borders</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_cities_and_towns_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="List of cities and towns in Saudi Arabia">Cities and towns</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Climate_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Climate of Saudi Arabia">Climate</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_earthquakes_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="List of earthquakes in Saudi Arabia">Earthquakes</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_governorates_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="List of governorates of Saudi Arabia">Governorates</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_mountains_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="List of mountains in Saudi Arabia">Mountains</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Provinces_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Provinces of Saudi Arabia">Provinces</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_wadis_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="List of wadis of Saudi Arabia">Wadis</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wildlife_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Wildlife of Saudi Arabia">Wildlife</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Politics</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Allegiance_Council" title="Allegiance Council">Allegiance Council</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Council_of_Ministers_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia">Cabinet</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Consultative_Assembly_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia">Consultative Assembly</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Custodian_of_the_Two_Holy_Mosques" title="Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques">Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia">Foreign relations</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/King_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="King of Saudi Arabia">King</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Crown_Prince_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia">Crown Prince</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mabahith" title="Mabahith">Mabahith (secret police)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/National_Security_Council_(Saudi_Arabia)" title="National Security Council (Saudi Arabia)">National Security Council</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nuclear_program_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Nuclear program of Saudi Arabia">Nuclear program</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia">Prime Minister</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:2.95em;padding-left:0.5em;padding-right:0.5em;font-weight:normal;"><a href="/wiki/Legal_system_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Legal system of Saudi Arabia">Law</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Basic_Law_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Basic Law of Saudi Arabia">Basic Law</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Capital punishment in Saudi Arabia">Capital punishment</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Elections_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Elections in Saudi Arabia">Elections</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Freedom_of_religion_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Freedom of religion in Saudi Arabia">Freedom of religion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Human_rights_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Human rights in Saudi Arabia">Human rights</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="LGBT rights in Saudi Arabia">LGBT</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rape_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Rape in Saudi Arabia">Rape</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Women%27s_rights_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Women's rights in Saudi Arabia">Women</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Judiciary_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Judiciary of Saudi Arabia">Judiciary</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Committee_for_the_Promotion_of_Virtue_and_the_Prevention_of_Vice_(Saudi_Arabia)" title="Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Arabia)">Mutaween (religious police)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Saudi_passport" title="Saudi passport">Passport</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Visa policy of Saudi Arabia">Visa policy</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;padding-left:0.5em;padding-right:0.5em;font-weight:normal;"><a href="/wiki/Military_of_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="Military of Saudi Arabia">Military</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabian_Army" title="Saudi Arabian Army">Army</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Saudi_Navy" title="Royal Saudi Navy">Navy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Saudi_Air_Force" title="Royal Saudi Air Force">Air Force</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Saudi_Air_Defense" class="mw-redirect" title="Royal Saudi Air Defense">Air Defense</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Saudi_Strategic_Missile_Force" title="Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force">Strategic Missile Force</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabian_National_Guard" title="Saudi Arabian National Guard">National Guard</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chairman_of_the_General_Staff" title="Chairman of the General Staff">Chairman of the General Staff</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/General_Staff_Presidency" title="General Staff Presidency">General Staff Presidency</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/General_Intelligence_Presidency" title="General Intelligence Presidency">General Intelligence Presidency</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabian_military_ranks" class="mw-redirect" title="Saudi Arabian military ranks">Military ranks</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Economy_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Economy of Saudi Arabia">Economy</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Agriculture_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Agriculture in Saudi Arabia">Agriculture</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_companies_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="List of companies of Saudi Arabia">Companies</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Capital_Market_Authority_(Saudi_Arabia)" title="Capital Market Authority (Saudi Arabia)">Capital Market Authority</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Council_of_Economic_and_Development_Affairs_(Saudi_Arabia)" title="Council of Economic and Development Affairs (Saudi Arabia)">Council of Economic and Development Affairs</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Energy_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Energy in Saudi Arabia">Energy</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Oil_reserves_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Oil reserves in Saudi Arabia">Oil reserves</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_the_oil_industry_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="History of the oil industry in Saudi Arabia">History of the oil industry</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Foreign_workers_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Foreign workers in Saudi Arabia">Foreign workers</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Irrigation_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Irrigation in Saudi Arabia">Irrigation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/OPEC" title="OPEC">OPEC</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Saudi_riyal" title="Saudi riyal">Riyal (currency)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Saudi_Central_Bank" title="Saudi Central Bank">Saudi Central Bank</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Supreme_Economic_Council_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Supreme Economic Council of Saudi Arabia">Supreme Economic Council</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tadawul" class="mw-redirect" title="Tadawul">Tadawul (stock exchange)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Telecommunications_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Telecommunications in Saudi Arabia">Telecommunications</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tourism_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Tourism in Saudi Arabia">Tourism</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Transport_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Transport in Saudi Arabia">Transport</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Rail transport in Saudi Arabia">rail</a></li></ul></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Category:Society_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Category:Society of Saudi Arabia">Society</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Abortion_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Abortion in Saudi Arabia">Abortion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Censorship_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Censorship in Saudi Arabia">Censorship</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Crime_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Crime in Saudi Arabia">Crime</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Demographics_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Demographics of Saudi Arabia">Demographics</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Youth_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Youth in Saudi Arabia">youth</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Social_and_racial_discrimination_in_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="Social and racial discrimination in Saudi Arabia">Discrimination</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Education_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Education in Saudi Arabia">Education</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Libraries_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Libraries in Saudi Arabia">libraries</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_universities_and_colleges_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="List of universities and colleges in Saudi Arabia">universities</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Health_care_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Health care in Saudi Arabia">Health care</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Human_trafficking_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Human trafficking in Saudi Arabia">Human trafficking</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Obesity_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Obesity in Saudi Arabia">Obesity</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Polygamy_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Polygamy in Saudi Arabia">Polygamy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Prostitution_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Prostitution in Saudi Arabia">Prostitution</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Terrorism_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Terrorism in Saudi Arabia">Terrorism</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Response_of_Saudi_Arabia_to_ISIL" class="mw-redirect" title="Response of Saudi Arabia to ISIL">response to ISIL</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Water_supply_and_sanitation_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Water supply and sanitation in Saudi Arabia">Water supply and sanitation</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;padding-left:0.5em;padding-right:0.5em;font-weight:normal;"><a href="/wiki/Culture_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Culture of Saudi Arabia">Culture</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabian_art" title="Saudi Arabian art">Art</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Visual_arts_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Visual arts in Saudi Arabia">Visual arts</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cinema_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Cinema of Saudi Arabia">Cinema</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabian_cuisine" title="Saudi Arabian cuisine">Cuisine</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Arabic" title="Arabic">Language</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Media_of_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="Media of Saudi Arabia">Media</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Television_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Television in Saudi Arabia">television</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Music_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Music of Saudi Arabia">Music</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Public holidays in Saudi Arabia">Public holidays</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Religion_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Religion in Saudi Arabia">Religion</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Islam_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Islam in Saudi Arabia">Islam</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sport_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Sport in Saudi Arabia">Sport</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Football_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Football in Saudi Arabia">football</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Theatre_in_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="Theatre in Saudi Arabia">Theatre</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Heritage_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Heritage in Saudi Arabia">Heritage</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;padding-left:0.5em;padding-right:0.5em;font-weight:normal;"><a href="/wiki/National_symbols_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="National symbols of Saudi Arabia">Symbols</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/National_Anthem_of_Saudi_Arabia" class="mw-redirect" title="National Anthem of Saudi Arabia">Anthem</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ardah" title="Ardah">Dance</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Emblem_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Emblem of Saudi Arabia">Emblem</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Flag of Saudi Arabia">Flag</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shahada" title="Shahada">Motto</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="3" style="font-weight:bold;"><div><div style="margin-bottom:-0.4em;"><ul><li><span class="nobold"><a href="/wiki/Outline_of_Saudi_Arabia" title="Outline of Saudi Arabia">Outline</a></span></li><li><span class="nobold"><a href="/wiki/Index_of_Saudi_Arabia%E2%80%93related_articles" title="Index of Saudi Arabia–related articles">Index</a></span></li></ul></div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Saudi_Arabia" title="Category:Saudi Arabia">Category</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Portal:Saudi_Arabia" title="Portal:Saudi Arabia">Portal</a></li></ul></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Political_parties_in_Saudi_Arabia_23x15px&#124;border_&#124;alt=Saudi_Arabia&#124;link=Saudi_Arabia346" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Saudi_Arabian_political_parties" title="Template:Saudi Arabian political parties"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Saudi_Arabian_political_parties" title="Template talk:Saudi Arabian political parties"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Saudi_Arabian_political_parties" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Saudi Arabian political parties"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Political_parties_in_Saudi_Arabia_23x15px&#124;border_&#124;alt=Saudi_Arabia&#124;link=Saudi_Arabia346" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="List of political parties in Saudi Arabia">Political parties in Saudi Arabia</a> <span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Saudi_Arabia" title="Saudi Arabia"><img alt="Saudi Arabia" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg/23px-Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg/35px-Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg/45px-Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="900" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Current</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/National_Assembly_Party" title="National Assembly Party">National Assembly Party</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Umma_Islamic_Party" title="Umma Islamic Party">Umma Islamic Party</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Movement_for_Islamic_Reform_in_Arabia" title="Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia">Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hizb_ut-Tahrir" title="Hizb ut-Tahrir">Hizb ut-Tahrir</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Historical</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Arab_Socialist_Action_Party_%E2%80%93_Arabian_Peninsula" title="Arab Socialist Action Party – Arabian Peninsula">Arab Socialist Action Party – Arabian Peninsula</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Arabian_Peninsula_People%27s_Union" title="Arabian Peninsula People's Union">Arabian Peninsula People's Union</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Communist_Party_in_Saudi_Arabia" title="Communist Party in Saudi Arabia">Communist Party in Saudi Arabia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hezbollah_Al-Hejaz" title="Hezbollah Al-Hejaz">Hezbollah Al-Hejaz</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Organization_for_the_Islamic_Revolution_in_the_Arabian_Peninsula" title="Organization for the Islamic Revolution in the Arabian Peninsula">Organization for the Islamic Revolution in the Arabian Peninsula</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Organization_of_Saudi_Communists" title="Organization of Saudi Communists">Organization of Saudi Communists</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Portal:Politics" title="Portal:Politics">Politics Portal</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_political_parties_by_country" class="mw-redirect" title="List of political parties by country">List of political parties</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Politics of Saudi Arabia</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Politics_of_Asia412" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Asia_topic" title="Template:Asia topic"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li 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