Many people will find it offensive, but the Middle East has its own rules. Saudi Arabia is nothing like a Western state in terms of its power structure and population. Things that we find barbaric are contributing to long term stability. In this area, when you lose control over the population you get things like the Syrian civil war.
But that's not at odds with modernization. Singapore is a very modern nation, as is China in parts and you could count some Gulf states on some aspects. Modernization does not have to include democracy and human rights in the way they are perceived in the West.
Whatever happens, it's a long process and has inertia.
Put hard limits on MBS and his ilk, but be wary of turning SA into a pariah state over this. They are turning their back to Whabbism and radical Islam, it won't be good for anyone if things are rolled back.
You're looking at Saudi Arabia from the point of view of a strategic ally. They're a threat, and what they do is not something we need to support.
I'm not usually the person to bring up past comments, but I do think your opinion on what I extrapolate to be cancelling the arms deal:
"> and when countries can’t rely on Western political, technological and military support, it is very likely they will attempt to pursue WMDs to make up for it (as done by all three)"
It's a commonly brought up argument, but North Korea never pursued WMDs because of fear of a Western threat, or to defend themselves from anyone. They did it because they want to use it as leverage to get the US to pull out of South Korea (which is also why they want the peace treaty declared so badly). This is working quite well so far.
Again, I only bring that comment up because I think it's relevant here, and the North Korea statement as a counter-example. I'm more concerned by what Saudi Arabia is going to do with those arms we sell them.
It's possible that a moderate Western democracy could eventually work if you didn't kill members of a free press, which would be the first step.
Many people will find it offensive, but the Middle East has its own rules. Saudi Arabia is nothing like a Western state in terms of its power structure and population. Things that we find barbaric are contributing to long term stability. In this area, when you lose control over the population you get things like the Syrian civil war.
But that's not at odds with modernization. Singapore is a very modern nation, as is China in parts and you could count some Gulf states on some aspects. Modernization does not have to include democracy and human rights in the way they are perceived in the West.
Whatever happens, it's a long process and has inertia.
Put hard limits on MBS and his ilk, but be wary of turning SA into a pariah state over this. They are turning their back to Whabbism and radical Islam, it won't be good for anyone if things are rolled back.