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Mentioned in 1 episodes
Unholy Kingdom
Book • 2020
Malise Ruthven’s Unholy Kingdom traces the historical development of Saudi Arabia, exploring the alliance between the House of Saud and Wahhabi religious doctrine and how that shaped governance.
The book examines the kingdom’s export of conservative religious ideology, its internal contradictions, and the consolidation of power by figures like Mohammed bin Salman.
Ruthven places contemporary events—including repression, corruption, and high-profile crimes—within a deep historical and cultural context.
He analyzes Saudi foreign policy, regional sectarianism, and the kingdom’s attempts at modernization while retaining authoritarian structures.
The book combines historical research and reportage to explain how religion, patronage, and violence sustain the Saudi state.
The book examines the kingdom’s export of conservative religious ideology, its internal contradictions, and the consolidation of power by figures like Mohammed bin Salman.
Ruthven places contemporary events—including repression, corruption, and high-profile crimes—within a deep historical and cultural context.
He analyzes Saudi foreign policy, regional sectarianism, and the kingdom’s attempts at modernization while retaining authoritarian structures.
The book combines historical research and reportage to explain how religion, patronage, and violence sustain the Saudi state.
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Mentioned in 1 episodes
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Mark Ames
Radio War Nerd EP 587 — Saudi Arabia, feat. Malise Ruthven + Iran War Update, feat. Annibale
