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.