Katherine Zoepf goes inside a Saudi jihadi rehabilitation center, observing classes and speaking with men mid-reform-process. The centers receive considerable Saudi coin and also considerable skepticism, American and internal, and this piece outlines some of the arguments for and against.
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Although I commend Saudi efforts to try a more soft power and reformist approach when it comes to tackling terrorism, I can't help but notice the irony in this story:
While ex Al Qaida recruits enjoy suitcases filled with gifts, sports facilities and art classes, 11 reformers sit languishing in Saudi jails without trial or access to a lawyer.
If Saudi Arabia intends to initiate a progressive approach to crime and punishment then they should seriously start thinking about changing other archaic laws, such as those directed towards freedom of speech and activism.
It's true - and highlights one of the problems for US Foreign Policy of attempting to launch a “war on terror” while simultaneously advocating for democracy in the region. The emphasis that America places on fighting terrorists certainly makes it more in Saudi's interest to work on dealing with those individuals in a way that draws favorable international attention, as opposed to working more constructively with reformers. The hunger strike that Saudi activists performed over the end of last week certainly didn't make it into the Times magazine, either, so it isn't only the government in America reinforcing those priorities.
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