Political Landscape of Saudi Arabia in the 1950s

28min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Exploration of the diverse political ideologies in 1950s Saudi Arabia, including radical nationalists, communists, and reformist movements, amidst traditional viewpoints. Discussion on King Saud's accommodation of political expression, failed coup attempts, regional influences like Nasserism, domestic dynamics of oil workers, and dissident currents shaping the country's path. Examination of Saudi Arabia's historical origins, alliance between rulers and religious figures, governance challenges under Abdulaziz, power dynamics within the royal family, alliances with other regional leaders, and strategic decisions impacting the country's trajectory.

Featuring Abdel Razzaq Takriti, this is the TWELFTH episode of Thawra (Revolution), our mini-series on Arab radicalism in the 20th century. Today’s installment tells the story of Saudi Arabia, a country whose reactionary, US-aligned trajectory was throughout the 1950s and 60s challenged by labor strikes, dissident currents, rebellious princes, and an anticolonial oil minister. But Saudi royal conservatism asserted itself and a friendship with Nasser’s Egypt turned into conflict. Ultimately both countries got drawn into North Yemen’s civil war, which sapped Egypt’s military strength ahead of the 1967 war with Israel. Plus: radical politics against British colonial power in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the Trucial States. Support The Dig at Patreon.com/TheDig Check out our newsletter and vast archives at thedigradio.com Buy tickets for live Dig with Jeremy Corbyn in London: unionchapel.org.uk/venue/whats-on/versothe-dig-live-podcast-with-jeremy-corbyn-laleh-khalili Buy Twilight Prisoners at haymarketbooks.com Buy Automatic Fetish at versobooks.com