The mirage of Saudi Arabia
A Calcalist reporter traveled through southern Saudi Arabia, from Abha to Haql, describing the gap between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious Vision 2030 and the complex reality: the war in Yemen, the Houthi threat to Red Sea trade routes, and the tension between tradition and modernization. The journey revealed an orderly and developed country even in border areas, alongside suppression of criticism and suspicion of foreigners.
A Calcalist reporter embarked on a journey through southern Saudi Arabia, from Abha in the Asir province on the Yemen border to Haql, from which Eilat can be seen. The journey revealed the gap between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's (MBS) ambitious Vision 2030 and the complex reality on the ground. On one hand, developed infrastructure, paved roads, cellular reception, visa on arrival, and women driving in Western attire. On the other hand, the Houthi threat to Red Sea trade routes, missiles targeting oil facilities, and the tension between tradition and modernization. The reporter described encounters with locals, including a Palestinian born in Riyadh whose family is from a village near Nablus, and a traditional goat market. Saudi Arabia is portrayed as a land of balances: how to connect remote residents, feed a growing population, and release civic aspirations in a controlled manner. However, the royal family decides, and suppression of criticism or desire for change that does not come from above is part of the system. The reporter notes that a decade ago, a group that wanted quiet change was arrested, tried, and some were executed.