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Thomas W. Lippman

Saudi Arabia on the Edge: The Uncertain Future of an American Ally (Council on Foreign Relations Books (Potomac Books)) Hardcover – Illustrated, January 1, 2012

by Thomas W. Lippman (Author)

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Of all the countries in the world that are vital to the strategic and economic interests of the United States, Saudi Arabia is the least understood by the American people. Saudi Arabia’s unique place in Islam makes it indispensable to a constructive relationship between the non-Muslim West and the Muslim world. For all its wealth, the country faces daunting challenges that it lacks the tools to meet: a restless and young population, a new generation of educated women demanding opportunities in a closed society, political stagnation under an octogenarian leadership, religious extremism and intellectual backwardness, social division, chronic unemployment, shortages of food and water, and troublesome neighbors.

Today’s Saudi people, far better informed than all previous generations, are looking for new political institutions that will enable them to be heard, but these aspirations conflict with the kingdom’s strict traditions and with the House of Saud’s determination to retain all true power. Meanwhile, the country wishes to remain under the protection of American security but still clings to a system that is antithetical to American values.

Basing his work on extensive interviews and field research conducted in the kingdom from 2008 through 2011 under the auspices of the Council on Foreign Relations, Thomas W. Lippman dissects this central Saudi paradox for American readers, including diplomats, policymakers, scholars, and students of foreign policy.

Print length

320 pages
Language:

English
Publisher

Potomac Books
Publication date

January 1, 2012
Dimensions

6.3 x 1.1 x 9.1 inches
ISBN-10

1597976881
ISBN-13

978-1597976886
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Editorial Reviews

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"Tom Lippman has done it again. Saudi Arabia on the Edge is a worthy successor to his classic, Inside the Mirage: America’s Fragile Partnership with Saudi Arabia. Meticulously researched, this fascinating book debunks the myths and stereotypes about Saudi Arabia that pervade Western observations. The author shares with us his wisdom honed by decades of experience in Saudi Arabia. He presents a realistic and occasionally alarming picture of an economic and political giant beset by a gathering storm of challenges in a rapidly changing world. I highly recommend this thoughtful perspective."—Robert W. Jordan, former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia

-- Robert W. Jordan

"The consummate inside guide to Saudi Arabia by Tom Lippman, the insider’s insider."—Robert Lacey, author of Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists, and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia

-- Robert Lacey

"Saudi Arabia weathered the Arab Spring of 2011 without the convulsions of many of its neighbors. But Tom Lippman understands that the country has actually undergone social, economic, and even cultural changes over the last four decades as momentous as the political upheavals other Arab countries are now experiencing. His book is a good introduction to the Saudi paradox of social change and political stability and an invaluable guide to the challenges the country faces."—F. Gregory Gause III, chair of the Department of Political Science and former director of the Middle East Studies Program, University of Vermont

-- F. Gregory Gause III

"Saudi Arabia on the Edge is an important book by an important writer. It offers a place to start for anyone looking to understand Saudi Arabia and the multiple challenges the country is facing. Lippman shows that Saudi Arabia’s leaders are fully aware of them: a demographic youth bubble, increasing energy consumption at home, an aging leadership, and troubles with Iran, among others. The challenge, of course, is how to manage all of this. One place to start is by reading Lippman’s book."—Rachel Bronson, author of Thicker Than Oil: America’s Uneasy Partnership with Saudi Arabia, and vice president for studies, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

-- Rachel Bronson

"Thomas Lippman's Saudi Arabia on the Edge is an excellent introduction to Saudi Arabian politics as well as the economic and social challenges facing the Kingdom today. He manages to show the complexities of this country without over simplifying and treats these in a balanced way, eschewing the excessive praise or the vilification that often typify books on the Kingdom. He has been a keen observer of the Saudi scene for a number of decades and his deep insights inform this work. This is best book available for an introduction to contemporary Saudi Arabia."—Bernard Haykel, Professor of Near Eastern Studies; Director, The Transregional Institute, Princeton University

-- Bernard Haykel

About the Author

Thomas W. Lippman, a former Middle East bureau chief for the Washington Post, is an award-winning journalist who has written about Middle Eastern affairs and American foreign policy for more than three decades. He is a former adjunct senior fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations and an adjunct scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington. The author of five previously published books on the Middle East and diplomacy, Lippman has appeared frequently on national television and radio. He lives in Washington, D.C.

Product details

Publisher : Potomac Books; Illustrated edition (January 1, 2012)
Language: : English
Hardcover : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1597976881
ISBN-13 : 978-1597976886
Item Weight : 1.37 pounds
Dimensions : 6.3 x 1.1 x 9.1 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #684,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #100 in Saudi Arabia History
- #776 in African Politics
- #1,049 in Middle Eastern Politics

Customer Reviews:
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Lesley M. Schultz

No Constant But Change & No Alternative Either

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2017

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It is a serious examination of the many omnidirectional, formidable and foundational obstacles and problems facing the government of Saudi Arabia, many potentially civilization-ending (for them, their entire way of life, which is utterly unsustainable on pretty much every aspect and level.) As an American living in the Trump administration, this is one of the only places that makes me feel like the U.S. is not the most effed up place on the planet (the other is North Korea.) But because Saudi Arabia is home to both Mecca and Medina, the central holy places to nearly one third of Earth's population, and much of the world has dependency of Saudi oil, how these problems are dealt with concerns literally everyone. The monarchy believes it can gradually but steadily transform itself from within. If it goes too fast, it will destroy itself and chaos will ensue. If it goes too slow, it will devour itself from within and chaos will ensue. The clock is ticking like a time bomb. In fifty years not only will it be, but it HAS TO BE, virtually unrecognizable, from the way it is today. Its population is young and thirsty for change, growth, meaning, a future they have a significant part it. So are half its population-- its women. It would take the wisdom of Solomon and the vision of the Prophet Mohammed (and his courage too) to pull off this level of massive change with their identity as Saudi Arabian intact; a reinvention never seen before . Can they do it? On some level the whole world must make and embrace fundamental change or none of us will survive. Mr. Lippman wants to believe Saudi Arabia can do it. Personally I think it can be done to but not without the country (and maybe the world also) staring into the abyss. The abyss will look back at us. But we will not fall in.

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Kindle Customer

Measured but optimistic appraisal

Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2014

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I was impressed by the fact that this author rejected the frequently held opinion regarding Saudi Arabia--- the narrative which suggests that oil reserves are rapidly being depleted and the Saudi monarchy is on the verge of imminent collapse. Instead, the author provides a measured and realistic analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the kingdom and concludes that the Saudi princes have supported initiatives and developed strategies which (if effectively implemented) could ensure the nation's economic viability and the longevity of the anachronistic monarchy. This book is recommended reading for anyone who seeks to understand the challenges faced by the Saudi ruling elite, as they struggle to maintain national political and economic stability in a region characterized by sectarian strife and heightened expectations from restive constituencies.

4 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Tapping public and private thoughts

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2013

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Saudi Arabia can be a place of myths and legends (many "urban")but Thomas Lippman presents a comprehensive picture of a country that has had, and will continue to face an incredibly unique set of development challenges. As an Australian who experiences the joys of a Govt trying to manage for the aspirations of 23 million, I think the rate of change in Saudi Arabia (with about 23 m Saudis) is astonishing. Even with my small snapshot of the Kingdom (about the last 3 years)the influence of King Abdullah is everywhere in the society, economy and environment of the country. Everyone who has an interest in Saudi Arabia and its people can benefit from Lippman's writings - while his style provides useful historic reference points, I am sure that the speed of change will see the need for a good revision within 5-8 years. Not sure of the politics, but it would be nice to see an Arabic translation!

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Dan Agbese

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2014

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Fact filled and with fair minded analysis this book tells me everything I did not know but needed to know about this kingdom with one foot in the past and one tentative foot in the present. I have recommended it to least three of my Nigerian friends.

One person found this helpful

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kamelazeb

I recommend this book with a caveat

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2017

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I am half-way reading this book. Although I disagree with the author on some aspects of the economic section, this book is very informative about Saudi Arabia. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested into Saudi Arabia.

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K. Gorzynski

What a Great Resource

Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2013

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This book should be required reading for anyone who lives/works in Saudi Arabia. It is very up-to-date and relevant, and extremely informative. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading it, I think because it went into enough detail to be useful, but didn't delve so deep to the point that my eyes started glazing over (which is what I assumed would happen when reading a book from the Council on Foreign Relations). The book is very well researched and gives a good overview of the geopolitical and historical contexts in Saudi, which filled in the gaps of my understanding about the country and its culture. I was impressed by the author's breadth and depth of knowledge about the Kingdom. Thank you, Mr. Lippman, for putting this book out there!

9 people found this helpful

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Stephen H. Franke

Another excellent book by a well-respected and long-time "Saudi-watcher".

Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2016

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Another excellent book by a well-respected and long-time "Saudi-watcher".

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Peter J Piaseckyj

A well written report

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2013

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The book is a well documented and knowledgeable report about the past and current state of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for consumption by the State Department.

There was probably a report of the same knowledgeable expertise and depth written for the State Department before the failure of Mikhail Gorbachev's Perestroika in the Soviet Union.

From my own experience I have seen armed guards at ship's gangways in Franco's Spain, Soviet ports and Saudi Arabian ports. Franco and Gorbachev are gone. The Saudi's are next!

2 people found this helpful

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David Hernández

magnifico libro

Reviewed in Spain on February 17, 2017

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un libro con una gran explicación de la historia de arabia saudí y la sociedad y política, lo relata con enorme sencillez.

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horst dieter becker

Saudi Arabia on the edge

Reviewed in Germany on October 15, 2013

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eine interessante Darstellung der Situation in Saudi Arabien von einem amerikanischen Kenner. Leider ist der Focus zu sehr auf den USA.

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Maurice A.

Excellente présentation de l'Arabie saoudite

Reviewed in France on July 16, 2013

Verified Purchase

Excellente présentation de l'Arabie saoudite qui sera particulièrement précieuse pour les visiteurs ou futurs expatriés. Ce livre montre les atouts mais aussi les vulnérabilités de ce pays et les défis qui l'attendent.

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