Main content

Saudi Arabia's Grand Vision

Owen Bennett Jones considers a radical new vision proposed by the Saudi monarchy - a plan to provide new job opportunities for a generation of frustrated young Saudis.

This week, Owen Bennett Jones and his guests are looking at a radical new economic and social vision for the country proposed by the Saudi monarchy. It’s not simply a set of proposals to end Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil. Beyond this, it seeks to provide new job opportunities for a generation of frustrated young Saudis, both men and women. With the end of the Saudi oil bonanza in sight, and draining military expenditure on foreign wars, the House of Saud is taking radical steps to maintain growth and stay in power. But can it successfully achieve these changes in the face of strong opposition both within and outside the country?

Photo: Saudi people walk through a sand and dust storm in Riyadh. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Available now

50 minutes

Last on

Sat 21 May 2016 10:06GMT

Contributors

Mohammad al Yahya, Saudi political analyst with the Gulf Research Centre.

Jane Kinninmont, Senior research fellow and deputy head of Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham House.

Safa al Ahmad, Saudi journalist and film-maker.

Gerald Butt, Former Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Middle East correspondent and former editor of the Middle East Economic Survey.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 20 May 2016 08:06GMT
  • Fri 20 May 2016 23:06GMT
  • Sat 21 May 2016 03:06GMT
  • Sat 21 May 2016 10:06GMT

The Real Story Podcast

Subscribe via your favourite podcast app...

Podcast