Unveiling Saudi Arabia’s Future: A Conversation | Professor Bernard Haykel

In this episode, we're joined by Professor Bernard Haykel, a leading authority on Near Eastern studies, for an enlightening conversation on the transformations within Saudi Arabia and its pivotal role on the global stage. From the intricacies of Saudi geopolitics to the ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, Professor Haykel navigates us through the complexities of a nation at the crossroads of tradition and modernization.
0:00 Introduction to Discussion with Professor Bernard Haykel on Saudi Arabia
0:56 Haykel’s Academic Origins in Yemen
4:10 Legacy of Muhammad al-Shawkani in Islamic Reform
6:44 Impact of 18th-Century Legal Reforms in Yemen
15:10 Overview of "Saudi Arabia in Transition"
20:53 Sportwashing and Saudi Arabia’s Global Image
27:42 Saudi Arabia in International Geopolitics
30:41 Vision 2030 and Economic Diversification in Saudi
34:44 Challenges of Moving Away from Oil in Saudi
44:30 Role of Consultants in Saudi Economic Policy
46:39 Economic Risks in Saudi Arabia
52:08 Dynamics of US-Saudi Relations
59:23 Riyadh’s Ascent in Regional Dominance
1:06:08 Saudi-China Relations and Strategic Partnership
1:09:11 Triangulated Politics between Israel, Saudi, and Iran
1:10:21 Quick Q&A on Saudi Arabia's Future
Professor Bernard Haykel is a distinguished professor of Near Eastern Studies and the director of the Institute for Transregional Study of the Contemporary Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia at Princeton University. With a Fulbright Fellowship in Yemen and teaching positions at New York, Oxford, and Princeton Universities, his research delves into the socio-political and religious dynamics of the Near East. Haykel's publications, including “Saudi Arabia in Transition” and “Revival and Reform in Islam,” offer critical insights into the challenges and transformations facing the Muslim world today.
Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 spoti.fi/47I59ns
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Mikey Muhanna 👉 / mikey_mu
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#BernardHaykel #SaudiArabia #Vision2030 #NearEasternStudies #SaudiGeopolitics #EconomicDiversification #USSaudiRelations #SaudiChinaRelations

[@jaq3405]

excitinggg love seeing people who show me a path i can go down on!

[@afikra]

We're happy you found the episode insightful!

[@user-kj8yl6sn2z]

In Saudi politics, I only advise hosting political commentator Salman Al-Ansari. Professor Bernard Heikal sometimes exaggerates that Saudi Arabia will accept American requests, whether regarding China or others, especially since we know that America’s request was rejected in their crisis with Russia or China.

[@booobooo1245]

Amazing. Thank you so much (both of you) for this work.

[@RoubaSamman]

Enlightening! Thank you for discussing this very current and important topic with such a scholar, it’s a real treat.

[@nunchai_is_life]

Such an interesting podcast - loved the content and the way you allow the professor present his work, while also asking key questions. Please take up some of the suggested names for future podcasts! Would love to see you have discussions with them. My only request is to list the names of the books, authors, musicians being read by the interviewee - perhaps in the comments section.

[@bonafidemonafide7810]

This was honestly one of the best podcast episodes I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. I hope there could be a second interview with Prof. Heykal Id love to hear his more in depth opinion on what he thinks will happen to the tinier gulf states as I felt like he didn’t go into detail on that topic and on the “consultants” part

[@afikra]

*CHAPTERS* 0:00 - Introduction 0:56 - Studying Yemen 4:10 - Muhammad al-Shawkani 6:44 - Pre-Islamic Legal Reform & 18th century Yemen 15:10 - “Saudi Arabia in Transition” 20:53 - Mbappé in Saudi, LIV & “Sportwashing” 27:42 - Saudi International Geopolitics 30:41 - “Vision 2030” & diversifying the economy 34:44 - Pivoting away from oil 44:30 - Consultants in Saudi Arabia 46:39 - Risk of Saudi's economy crashing 52:08 - US-Saudi relations 59:23 - Is Riyadh the center of the Arab world now? 1:06:08 - Saudi Arabia and China 1:09:11 - Israel, Saudi Arabia and Iran 1:10:21 - Quick Q&A

[@jaq3405]

I wonder what his take on the Middle East Plan apparently cultivated by MBS/ Kushner which was aiming on changing geo politics of the region

[@maverickdaaddict]

How come you do not upload these interviews to the apple podcast app?

[@afikra]

We do! You can subscribe on every podcasting platform - just search "afikra podcast"

[@maverickdaaddict]

Found it, thanks a lot! You guys do amazing work.@@afikra