Saudi Arabia – a brief look into security conditions and safety concerns

Summary

• Increasing tensions registered vis-à-vis Iran.
• Rising tensions between Sunni and Shia within the Kingdom, in part a reflection of the wider regional geopolitical rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran – but intrinsically a result of domestic discrimination.
• The present ruler is 88 and frail; the newly appointed crown prince is 78, a non reformer and an ardent opponent of Iran.
• Domestic grievances exist but for the foreseeable future there is no threat to regime stability. To meet existing grievances, public spending has all but doubled this year, the largest increase in Saudi history. At the same time, the police and security services have been granted significantly increased resources.
• The Arab Spring has had but modest effects in Saudi Arabia.
• By several foreign ministries the terrorist threat in Saudi Arabia is considered high to very high - but Vesper would emphasize that there has been no major terrorist attack since 2007, a result of a consistent and successful campaign waged by Saudi authorities. Today, there are no high-level operators from al-Qaeda or similar outfits at large in Saudi Arabia.
• Crime levels are comparatively low, but the trend is rising and given media coverage, indicating the concerns of the Saudi authorities.