The Role of Aramco and Political Dynamics in 1950s Saudi Arabia

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Exploring the influence of Aramco on structuring Saudi Arabia politically and economically, the chapter unravels the contested nature of the company's presence in the country. It delves into key figures like Abdullah Tariki, the emergence of a third-worldist vision within OPEC, and the alliance between modernizing figures in the Saudi royal family. The chapter also sheds light on the labor issues, dissident political landscape, and the impact of global pressures leading to nationalization efforts in the oil industry.

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