9/11 and Saudi Arabia

MEMRI carries excerpts from two articles by Saudi liberals who argue that the 9/11 attacks initiated a new era in Saudi Arabia. One writes that the Saudis realized that such actions only result in "destruction, devastation, isolation and persecution" and cost them the good will and trust of the non-Muslim world. He sees the Islamists as now on the defense rather than the offense. The other author states that Saudi society now understands the importance of dialogue, and has engaged in a national debate on educational curricula, among other things.

Let's hope the trends described here shape the future. As an outside observer, looking for example at the terrible struggle to publish information dealing with Saudi financing of terror or over Saudi school texts, the situation remains very poor.

I would note one other thing: neither author nor, according to them, Saudi society at large, appears to really believe that the 9/11 attacks were perpetrated by the Mossad or the U.S. government. Nor do they appear to have much doubt about the relationship of radical Islam to terror. How refreshing!