I would be careful saying Saudi Arabia is purged of corruption. I think it's more accurate to say they are less corrupt.
There's still tons of stuff folks in freer countries would find objectionable. They are after all still a monarchy were political activism and dissent would land you in jail.
This website couldn't exist in Saudi Arabia.
The movement of Saudi Arabis to be closer to Israel is a long time coming and the Iraq war was a giant part of it.
Saddam Hussein was a Sunni dictator of a majority Shiite country. And one of the effects of taking him out was to strengthen Iran.
Look at a map and you'll see how important Iraq is.
Iran used to be blocked on its Western border by Turkey and Iraq, two Sunni led countries, now with Iraq having a giant Shiite influence --The current prime minister in Iraq even had Shia in his name, Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani-- Iraq has easy access to the rest of Shiite crescent. Iran to Iraq to Syria to Lebanon which means they can get right to Israel's door step. Syria is actually Sunni Dominant but Assad is supported by Iran and there's a large Shiite presence there.
With Iran not having to worry as much about the hostile Sunni State on 1,000 miles of its border, it can turn attentions elsewhere, this threatens both Saudi Arabia and Israel which is why they have been inching closer together for a long time
I would be careful saying Saudi Arabia is purged of corruption. I think it's more accurate to say they are less corrupt.
There's still tons of stuff folks in freer countries would find objectionable. They are after all still a monarchy were political activism and dissent would land you in jail.
This website couldn't exist in Saudi Arabia.
The movement of Saudi Arabis to be closer to Israel is a long time coming and the Iraq war was a giant part of it.
Saddam Hussein was a Sunni dictator of a majority Shiite country. And one of the effects of taking him out was to strengthen Iran.
Look at a map and you'll see how important Iraq is.
https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w960-q80/upload/02/70/2f/shutterstock-1168694038.jpg
Iran used to be blocked on its Western border by Turkey and Iraq, two Sunni led countries, now with Iraq having a giant Shiite influence --The current prime minister in Iraq even had Shia in his name, Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani-- Iraq has easy access to the rest of Shiite crescent. Iran to Iraq to Syria to Lebanon which means they can get right to Israel's door step. Syria is actually Sunni Dominant but Assad is supported by Iran and there's a large Shiite presence there.
With Iran not having to worry as much about the hostile Sunni State on 1,000 miles of its border, it can turn attentions elsewhere, this threatens both Saudi Arabia and Israel which is why they have been inching closer together for a long time