Saudi Arabia is currently undergoing huge change. Along with the dangerous power struggle within the royal family, the popular protests against the autocratic rule of the Al Saud government have created new challenges in the country. 

 

The Islamic Awakening movement which started in Tunisia and swept across Egypt, Libya and Yemen, is now directly felt in the heart of the Arabian peninsula. The movement is not only restricted to its Shia population; Sunnis have also become aware of their rights and have joined the nationwide protests.

 

The Saudi people are simply demanding just and equal distribution of wealth. The protesters also want better access to governmental jobs, which have been limited to a group of Wahhabi princes. Public protests have also revived old tribal and familial disputes.

 

Following the death of crown prince Nayef, a power struggle has precipitated and heads of the police, the army and the national guard gradually have themselves become involved in the struggle and the possibility of a militia war between them is high.

 

The United States is also playing a role in the developments. Washington is said to have made efforts in the selection of the new crown prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud. He is now, no doubt, the best person to serve U.S. interests in the country. Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, who last week was rumored to have been assassinated, was also appointed as the Saudi intelligence chief, tasked with implementing U.S. strategies in countering Iran’s influence in the region. Just like Salman, he is quite known for his anti-Shia stances and is viewed as a suitable choice to help suppress Islamic movements in other countries.    

 

However, the Saudi government’s influence in the region is declining. The popular uprising in Bahrain has weakened the royal family and sooner or later the Al Saud will also succumb to the Islamic Awakening. 

 

Mohammad Sadeq al-Hosseini is a political analyst and expert on Arab world based in Tehran.  

 

MS/RM

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