Jacobin Radio Dig: Thawra Ep. 12 - Origins of Saudi Reaction
Jun 9, 2024
Abdel Razzaq Takriti discusses Saudi Arabia's 1950s political landscape, royal family dynamics, reactionary shift, and role in counter-revolutionary actions. Explore labor movements, oil workers' influence, and regional conflicts shaping the Gulf region's politics during the 20th century.
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1950s Saudi Radical Openness
- Saudi Arabia was not always reactionary; the 1950s saw radical nationalists, communists, and active labor movements within the kingdom.
- King Saud showed some openness to reform, enabling diverse political currents briefly before conservative forces dominated.
Saudi Royal Family Dynamics
- The Saudi royal family is large and complex, with power influenced by lineage and maternal tribal connections.
- King Saud was less capable, while Prince Faisal was politically savvy and more conservative, shaping Saudi politics.
Aramco and Tariki's Radical Role
- Aramco was a gigantic American presence, crucial economically and technologically to Saudi Arabia.
- Abdullah Tariki, the 'Red Sheik', pushed for national control over oil and had pan-Arabist, radical ambitions beyond Saudi borders.