Conversations with Tyler David Commins on Saudi Arabia, Wahhabism, and the Future of the Gulf States
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Sep 17, 2025 David Commins, an expert on Saudi Arabia and author of "Saudi Arabia: A Modern History", delves into the complexities of Wahhabism and its significant role in state-building. The conversation covers the historical discrimination against Shiites, the implications of the 1979 Grand Mosque seizure, and the motivations behind Saudi sports investments. Commins also discusses Yemen's instability, barriers in education, and Saudi Arabia's transition to a post-oil economy. His insights offer a captivating view into the challenges and future of the Gulf States.
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Stability Through External Guarantees
- Gulf state stability rests partly on fear of annexation by larger neighbors and Western strategic guarantees.
- British treaties and later Western involvement preserved the independence of small Gulf principalities.
Sports: Popularity Meets Soft Power
- Saudi investments in global sports combine domestic popularity with soft-power aims and reputation management.
- Commins notes sports are extremely popular with young Saudis and thus politically useful to the monarchy.
Sports Celebrations Amid Geopolitical Crisis
- While living in Riyadh in 2001, Commins heard people celebrating a soccer victory even as US bombing began in Afghanistan.
- He uses this to illustrate Saudis' strong passion for sports over immediate political concerns.
