If you say so Alon. However, let me correct some of your well intentioned comments.

Saudi dependence on crude is just not what it once was, given their emergence as a major refiner/crude importer?

For sure change could be difficult, just not impossible.

Saudi more than ever needs western support, military and economic as they transition from a crude dependant economy to one more reliant on transformed/value added energy products and other manufacture?

And that begins with more rights for women and more unrestricted freedom for the general population; and protected and enshrined in law with an irrevocable bill of rights, which apart from all else, would establish who was and remains in control? [And as a benign dictatorship?]

And put some of those problematic religious entities stuck in a stone age past, back in their box. Some of who may need to serve as an non martyred example, for their "difficult" divisive devotees?

And given what they fear most of all, is permanent exile and incommunicado; that's what beckons?

Perhaps the Saudis could buy a large slab of a depopulated Easter Island an resettle some of their most vociferous dissidents on it?
Rhrosty.

Rhosty and Alon, I hope neither of you is holding your breath. The Saudi royal family is guarded by the most zealous group of men which would make any attempt at change very difficult. Nothing will happen until they run very low on oil and all the expatriot royal hangers on are forced to return home. The Wahhabi clerics might then be forced to see the error of their ways, but that might also be some time off.

David

VK3AUU - What could go wrong, reminds me of the Shah of Iran around 1979.

Philip S has nailed it! Read about that pampered poodle in Iran in 1979 and what happened to him. Mind you his replacement was even worse for the general population as is so often the case.

This article is very truth, I really respect author's knowledge, but it's not like the Arabs are bad and we are saints. USA do a lot of bad things as well...