In This Issue

1. Saudi Pseudo Studies by Amir Taheri, New York Post
2. A Clear and Present Danger:  Wahhabism as a Rhetorical Foil by Alexander Knysh
3. Remarks from the 2003 Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference:  Countering Accusations - Consultative Council Member Talks About Fight Against Al-Qaeda
4.  From the History of Saudi-U.S. Relations - Saudi-US Forces Cooperate in Training
5.  SUSRIS Discussion Forum -- Look Who's Talking
6.  On the Bookshelf - The Role of Multinational Companies in the Middle East:  The Case of Saudi Arabia by Mamarinta P. Mababaya
7. What is SUSRIS?

Special Report From The Saudi-US Relations Information Service

An Item of Interest 
From The Saudi-US Relations Information Service

In the past two years, a growing industry has emerged producing reports, articles, books and documentaries on Saudi Arabia. Holding conferences on the kingdom is the fashion in the world of research institutes. The number of authors described as "specialist in Saudi affairs" at the bottom of opinion-page articles has multiplied.

This sudden interest in Saudi Arabia, one of the least-studied societies in the contemporary world, would have been welcome if it had been motivated by scholarly concern. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

The mass of material on the kingdom could be divided into three categories.

The first consists of James Bond-style thrillers disguised as political studies. They portray the kingdom as a giant Dr. No, with a hidden agenda either to buy or to destroy the Western civilization and seize control of the world. Osama bin Laden and the 9/11 terrorists make cameo appearances in all such studies.

The second category comprises articles and books that portray the kingdom as a cross between a hedonist paradise and a desert concentration camp.

In the third category, we find works signed by self-styled experts that bear a scholarly veneer but offer little or no serious analysis of the situation in the kingdom today.  
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An Essay From the Saudi-American Forum

Prologue

In the vast body of literature on the political developments along Russia�s southern border over the past decade, one cannot help but be struck by the frequency with which �Wahhabism� and/or �Wahhabi Islam� is invoked by Western and Russian journalists, academics, and political analysts as the principal cause of troubles and political instability in these areas. This is especially true of the Muslim areas of the Northern Caucasus and Central Asia, although the autonomous Russian republics of Tatarstan and Bashkorstan also figure prominently in this regard. 

Equally surprising is the unanimity with which popular Russian and Western journalism and academic studies depict the ongoing Muslim resurgence in the former Soviet Union as a life-and-death struggle between the �Sufi� and �Wahhabi� versions of the Islamic religion. These Islamic movements in the territory of the former Soviet Union are frequently portrayed by both laymen and experts as incompatible and mutually hostile interpretations of Islam adopted by their adherents in an attempt to fill the vacuum left by the implosion of the Communist ideology and system of values. The �Wahhabi-Sufi� confrontation is frequently invoked in the public speeches of high ranking Russian and Central Asian politicians, such as presidents Karimov of Uzbekistan or Shaymiev of Tatarstan, who never tire of invoking �Wahhabism� as a mortal threat to the very existence of their countries. Although many Western and Russian observers agree that the activism of these �mutually opposed� movements is a response to the dire economic and social conditions of the post-Soviet era and the ideological void created by the collapse of official Marxism-Leninism, they nevertheless tend to focus their analysis on the religious premises of each group. 

Let us review the ways in which these axioms are construed by both Russian and Western experts on Islam in the former Soviet Union. 

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Remarks From the Arab-US Policymakers Conference

The following "Q&A" was part of the 12th Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference, September 7-8, 2003.  Dr. Abdulmuhsin Al-Akkas, Member and Immediate Past Chairman, Foreign Relations Committee, Majlis Ash-Shura [National Consultative Council] of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,  was a panelist in the "Regional Political Dynamics - Political Reform, Human Rights, Women, Foreign Policy" session. 

Question:  What do you think of the accusations in Gerald Posner's  book, Why America Slept:  The Failure to Prevent 9/11?  What about the accusations of the royal family aiding Al Qaeda and terrorism?

Dr. Abdulmuhsin Al-Akkas:  The one accusation of Mr. Posner in his book was about members of the royal family subsidizing Al Qaeda.  When the story first broke out, carried by the news agencies, he's quoting unnamed sources, unsubstantiated claims everywhere.  But in the same news story, there were high-ranking officials, also unnamed, characterizing Mr. Posner's accusation as simply silly.  The silliness of those accusations is such that � the real enemies of Osama bin Laden are the Saudis, especially the Saudi royal family.  It is quite unlikely that anybody would subsidize their own killers.  

Dr. Abdulmuhsin Al-Akkas is a member of Saudi Arabia's Majlis Ash-Shura, or Consultative Council. He is also Assistant to the Chairman and Board Member of the Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SR&MG) and Director of SR&MG�s subsidiary�s boards in Riyadh, Jeddah, and London. Dr. Al-Akkas also served as SR&MG�s Managing Director.
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From The History of the Saudi-US Relationship

Saudi and American ADA Forces Exchange Training Concepts, Strengthen Relations
ARCENT-SA Public Affairs Office - April 30, 2003

Through an ongoing military-to-military program, Saudi Arabian and U.S. air defense artillery units exchange training concepts. In the process they strengthen relations that could prove invaluable in defending each other�s national interests.

Not limited to work, the interaction between Task Force (TF) 6-52 Air Defense Artillery Battalion and a Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces (RSADF) battalion has included social events such as a Ramadan dinner and a sports day.

�The Saudi-hosted dinner gave us the chance to get to know our counterparts. It is better to meet at such �mil-to-mil� events now, instead of waiting for the possibility of joining together for the first time on the battlefield,� said TF Intelligence Officer Capt. Arturo Ruiz.

Saudi and U.S. phased array tracking radar intercept on target (PATRIOT) partnership exercises in the kingdom provide a unique opportunity for all air defenders to learn PATRIOT tactics, techniques and procedures based upon real-world missions.

Another way for U.S. and Saudi soldiers to train together on PATRIOT tactics and equipment involves travel to Ft. Bliss, Texas, home of the U.S. Air Defense Artillery.

�This combined program is for everyone�s benefit. It will strengthen relations between us,� explained the RSADF battalion�s deputy operations officer. �It allows both units to discuss ideas and clarify concepts on our profession. I hope it continues and doesn�t stop with this particular American task force.�                                                                                                           [more] 

Source:   United States Armed Forces Central Command Saudi Arabia                                                                                                                          Back to top

The Saudi-US Relations Information Service Discussion Forum

"The is one of Pres. Bush's best speeches. Although it was billed as a criticism of US foreign policy in the Middle East for the past 60 years, I heard it as a call for democracy in the area. The Palestinian leadership was quite rightfully criticized, but I note that the word "Israel" was not mentioned anywhere in the speech. How does one make an all-inclusive speech about the need for democracy in the Middle East without ever mentioning Israel? How does a country with more than one class of citizenship qualify as a democracy?"

Sign up for the forum and contribute to the dialogue.

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On the Bookshelf

Book Description
This study investigated whether known economic and international business theories available in the literature are meaningful enough to explain the nature, existence and role of multinational companies (MNCs) in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia. Two sets of questionnaires were distributed in major cities of Saudi Arabia -- one set for 100 multinational managers and another for 280 multinational customers. 234 questionnaires were collected -- 45 from multinational managers and 189 from customers. This represents a total response rate of 62 percent, which is adequate for this study. The empirical results, supported with comprehensive secondary data, confirmed virtually all of the research hypotheses. The study found that joint ventures are the dominant form of multinational business in Saudi Arabia, both in manufacturing and service industries. The core roles of MNCs in the Saudi-foreign ventures are evident in the cross-border value-adding activities of marketing, trading, manufacturing, consulting, contracting, project management, insurance, hotel operation and banking. The results indicate that the business success of multinationals operating in Saudi Arabia is positively related to their local cultural awareness and responsiveness. Along this line, this study covers some vital elements of Islamic culture, which will help MNCs understand further the cultural needs, values and sensitivities of the Saudi people and Muslims in general.

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Ordering Information
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About the Saudi-US Relations Information Service

The Saudi-US Relations Information Service (SUSRIS) provides you information resources and interactive features through a web site and weekly newsletter -- all designed to enhance your understanding of the historic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-US Relations Information Service is a public service of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations as an element of its mission to educate Americans about Arab countries, the Middle East, and the Islamic world.

We invite you to explore the site: signup for the SUSRIS newsletter, join the discussion forum, browse the bookshelf and photo album, and more. Make the SUSRIS your home page or add it to your Favorites List. Check back from time to time to see what we've added -- what you see today is just the beginning.

For more information about the service please visit the website at: http://www.SaudiUSRelations.org 
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Saudi-US Relations Information Service

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