Radio War Nerd EP 587 — Saudi Arabia, feat. Malise Ruthven + Iran War Update, feat. Annibale

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.

In The Divine Supermarket, Malise Ruthven recounts a personal and investigative journey through diverse religious scenes in the United States during the 1980s. The book surveys mainstream and fringe movements, offering portraits of practitioners and leaders while reflecting on modern spiritual searching. Ruthven mixes reportage with irony and cultural critique, highlighting how religious markets and consumer culture shape belief. The book considers the social and psychological drivers that lead people to adopt new spiritual identities and practices. It functions as both travelogue and social study of late-20th-century American religiosity.