The David McWilliams Podcast Saudi the Kingmaker: Gaza, Trump & a New Middle East with Andrew Maxwell
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Oct 16, 2025 Andrew Maxwell, an Irish comedian with a wealth of experience in the Middle East, shares his insights after performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. He highlights the vibrant social changes in Saudi Arabia, from increased female workforce participation to a youthful and mixed audience culture. The conversation dives into Saudi geopolitical influence, particularly its potential normalization with Israel and partnerships with Egypt and Pakistan. Maxwell also discusses the GCC's evolving landscape and the role of comedy as a tool for cultural diplomacy.
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New Coalition Upends Old Alignments
- The Trump-led Gaza peace coalition breaks old Cold War alignments and mixes unlikely partners like Qatar, Egypt and the US.
- This new coalition sidelined Europe and reshapes diplomatic bargaining beyond traditional left-right divides.
Gig To Gig: Comedy In Riyadh
- Andrew Maxwell described performing to massive, youthful Saudi audiences and being surprised by their enthusiasm for comedy.
- He compared Saudi cultural change to Ireland's rapid social transformation in recent decades.
Act Quickly To Lock In Reforms
- Move fast when reforming non-democratic systems because delayed change empowers reactionary forces.
- Use top-down reforms and cultural openings to retain youth and prevent backsliding.
