A Brief History of Saudi Arabia - 9780816082506

From the dramatic rise in oil prices to the rights of women—an updated look at the history and developments of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is a country in transition, slowly but steadily changing from within and increasingly flexing its muscle and influence regionally. The country has entered the new century as a pivotal regional power. As the birthplace of Islam, it remains a powerful moral leader of the Muslim world, particularly the Arab arena. Its response to domestic terrorism has shown that the monarchy has the drive to confront destabilizing elements within its borders and the increasing value of its oil has provided financial and political security at home. Yet Saudi Arabia still faces the challenges of unemployment for many of its citizens, and its education system makes it difficult for Saudi youth to compete in the global market. While the country held its first elections in history in 2005, the war in Iraq has deepened the divide between Sunni and Shiite policies.

From Saudi Arabia's pre-Islamic history to the events of today, A Brief History of Saudi Arabia, Second Edition offers a balanced, informative perspective on the country's long history. Complete with black-and-white illustrations, maps, charts, a chronology, and basic facts, this comprehensive overview of the history of Saudi Arabia places the political, economic, and cultural events of today into a broad historical context.

Coverage includes:

• Pre-Islamic Arabia
• Bedouin society and culture
• The birth and spread of Islam
• The development of and philosophy behind Wahhabism
• The origins of the House of Saud
• Saudi Arabia's role in the Middle East
• Saudi Arabia's relationship to the United States
• The battle between conservative and progressive elements in the monarchy today
• The reign of King Abdullah.