MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA: "Saudi Arabia: Can it make peace in the wider region? Saudi Arabia has had mixed success in its diplomacy, but it has raised its profile and should keep on trying," The Economist, 11 October 2008. MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA: "Saudi Arabia: The struggle against al-Qaeda; The rulers of the Arab world's most conservative monarchy are taking the war to al-Qaeda--and may be succeeding," The Economist, 25 October 2008.

First one is an article of encouragement--as implied by the subtitle--from the mag to the House of Saud. The second article is really fascinating: about the aggressive rehabilitation of radicals using a comprehensive mix of behavior modification techniques, with the biggie being shamed by imams. Plus, some Mafia-like mega-trials that reminds me of Italy a while back. Very encouraging stuff. Military officers will routinely express, off the record, their profound disgust with the House of Saud and Saudi society in general, basically saying there is a tendency to treat ordinary people like dirt. Most will tell you the Saudis don't have a chance at long-term survival. Other experts on the family say that underestimates its deep reach in society and its staying power. I'm sure the latter will be right until they are suddenly wrong. The question will then be, What does that "wrong" look like?