Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR, Washington DC July 2, 2015 Saudi-Wahhabi Schisms, King’s Promises and Freedom of Expression, Elites and Public Wellbeing CDHR’s Commentaries and Analysis The Foreseeable Extinction of The Saudi/Wahhabi Alliance  CDHR’s Analysis: More than at any time in its history, the Saudi ruling family is facing domestic and external challenges and threats that can result in domestic strife which the autocratic system cannot handle even with external support, i ...Continue Reading

Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR, Washington DC May 7, 2015 King Salman’s Power Consolidation, Dangerous Foreign Adventures and Liberating Social Media CDHR’s Commentaries and Analysis Saudi Invasion of Yemen: A Perilous Blunder  CDHR’s Analysis: Invading and inflicting enduring devastation on their perceived domestic opponents and external enemies are not new to the monocratic and theocratic Saudi rulers. Long before and since the establishment of their kingdom in 1932, the Saudi/W ...Continue Reading

Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR, Washington DC March 26, 2015 New King, Uncertain Future, Islam and Muslims and Impact of Social Media CDHR’s Commentaries and Analysis Saudi Women’s and Human Rights Advocates’ Trepidation Is Justified   CDHR’s Commentary: While it may be a little premature to predict what King Salman’s agenda for Saudi Arabia might be, given his religious affiliations and bleak record regarding women’s rights and his staunch opposition to power-sharing and democrat ...Continue Reading

Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR, Washington DC February 17, 2015 Vulnerable Royals, Salman’s Defining Challenges, Women’s Hopes and Enemies CDHR’s Commentaries and Analysis Saudi Oligarchs Cannot Afford But To Compromise CDHR’s Commentaries: Despite Saudi and western media experts’ recent contrary claims, there are two major fundamental reasons behind the new Saudi King Salman’s “re-shuffling” of the House of Saud: 1) Salman wants to reassert the dominance of his anti-reform Sudairi wi ...Continue Reading

Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR, Washington DC January 22, 2015 New King, Endangered Country, Dangerous Ideology, Repression and Solutions CDHR’s Commentaries and Analysis King Salman, Empowered Citizens Can Save the Country Former Crown Prince, now King Salman, stated recently that Saudi Arabia (and other Gulf monarchies) is ‘… passing through the most delicate situation in its history as a result of highly dangerous challenges.’   CDHR’s Commentary: The unprecedented and unexp ...Continue Reading

Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR, Washington DC December 22, 2014 Opportunity for democracy in the Gulf, Gulf oligarchies Divided, women activists and the State, attacks on Shia Commentaries and Analysis GCC Failure: An Opportunity For Democracy In The Gulf CDHR’s Analysis: Plagued by terminal mistrust of each other, by historic tribal feuds and by a multitude of modern looming internal and external threats, the unconstitutional ruling dynasties of the 6 members of the Gulf Cooperation ...Continue Reading

Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR, Washington DC November 3, 2014 Saudi Vulnerability, Rulers and Merchants Common Objectives, Emulate Christians, Eliminate Terrorism CDHR’s Commentaries and Analysis Dynamics Triggering Saudi Vulnerability CDHR’s Analysis: Transforming the Saudi state from an absolute system to an inclusive, open and accountable modern polity requires reforms which the autocratic monarchy is unwilling to carry out. When it rains, it pours in a land where it rarely rains. ...Continue Reading

Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR, Washington DC October 3, 2014 Commentaries and Analysis Destructive Taboos, Women Cannot Compete, Terrorism and Christian Cleansing Consequences Of Destructive Religious Indoctrinations And Taboos CDHR’s Commentary: Studies conducted by Saudi women suggested that “Nearly a Quarter of (Saudi) Children (are) Raped and up to 46% of students suffer from homosexuality.” This should not come as a surprise given the severe and destructive religious ta ...Continue Reading

Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR, Washington DC October 3, 2014 Commentaries and Analysis Destructive Taboos, Women Cannot Compete, Terrorism and Christian Cleansing Consequences Of Destructive Religious Indoctrinations And Taboos CDHR’s Commentary: Studies conducted by Saudi women suggested that “Nearly a Quarter of (Saudi) Children (are) Raped and up to 46% of students suffer from homosexuality.” This should not come as a surprise given the severe and destructive religious taboos ...Continue Reading

Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR, Washington DC September 12, 2014 Commentaries and Analysis Islamic State and Wahhabism, Impact of Regime’s Policy on Society, Including Royals IS: Deviants or an Extension of Wahhabism? CDHR’s Commentary: Like the Saudi system's operators, the newly established Jihadi state’s tyrants interpret and use the Quran and the Shariah as a lethal tool to justify their beheading spree, destruction of shrines and sanctuaries they consider un-Islamic (according to ...Continue Reading