Trump Goes to Saudi Arabia
Given the badly frayed relations between the U.S. and Ryiadh, the president is guaranteed a win. President Trump will receive an effusive welcome here from his royal hosts determined to underscore that once again Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are close allies. Barack Obama favored Iran, but that’s over. King Salman, 81, is gathering 50 Islamic leaders to meet Mr.Trump. This unprecedented assembly […]
“Uneasy Lies the Head that Wears a Crown” The House of Saud Confronts Its Challenges
Introduction This report is based primarily on a month long visit to Saudi Arabia in January, the author’s latest of dozens over the past four decades and conversations—some on the record and many off the record—with a wide range of Saudi citizens, government ministers and senior members of the Al Saud royal family. Much had changed even since my last […]
Review in the Library Journal
Recent review of On Saudi Arabia in the Library Journal:
Karen Elliott House featured on The Cycle
Karen Elliott House discusses Saudi Arabi on MCNBC’s The Cycle. View on MSNBC.com
Book Review – Black Gold and Black Veils
Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the United States and other Western democracies have had good reason to learn more about the close relationship between the Saudi royal family and the kingdom’s Salafist Muslim sect, the Wahhabis. As Karen Elliott House chronicles in “On Saudi Arabia,” the relationship shapes today’s Saudi state and society in many disturbing ways. Ms. House tells […]
Saudi, Israel Threaten Obama’s Status Quo Goal
Rumors abound that Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al Faisal, the longest serving foreign minister of any nation, is near death and soon will be replaced by his cousin and deputy, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah, son of King Abdullah Abdulaziz, 49, was appointed deputy foreign minister, in July 2011. Prior to that he had held leadership positions in the National Guard, which […]