EDITOR'S NOTE

National Public Radio's (NPR) Mike Shuster delivered a series of reports on Saudi Arabia in March 2004.  Shuster discussed such topics as emerging freedoms in the Saudi press, successes in Saudi Arabia's war on terrorism and political reforms that are now taking shape in the country.  He also reported on the U.S.-Saudi relationship, the issue of equality for Saudi Shiites, and most recently on the evolution of Saudi Arabia in the twenty-first century. 

The Saudi-American Forum is pleased to present summaries and links to these reports below.

From a recent series of reports by NPR's Mike Shuster in Saudi Arabia:

"The Evolution of Iran, Saudi Arabia in the 21st Century"

"NPR's Alex Chadwick talks with NPR's Mike Shuster about his recent reporting assignments in both Iran and Saudi Arabia, and what he observed about how those nations are evolving in the first years of the 21st century.."
Click here to listen to this report.

"Saudi Press Seen as More Free"

"Journalists in Saudi Arabia appear to be enjoying more freedom than at any other time in the history of the desert kingdom. Articles advocating political reform and women's rights and criticizing the conservative religious establishment are now commonplace in Saudi newspapers. NPR's Mike Shuster reports.."
Click here to listen to this report.

"Saudi War on Terror Claims Some Success"

"Saudi Arabia has been enforcing measures to eradicate terrorism within its borders since two car bombings in Riyadh last year killed scores of people. The crackdown has led to the arrest of scores of terrorism suspects and the seizure of huge stockpiles of weapons. But experts warn much work remains to be done. NPR's Mike Shuster reports.."

Click here to listen to this report.  

"Saudi Reform Aims to Promote Open Dialogue"

"Extremist social practices die hard, especially in Saudi Arabia. NPR's Mike Shuster reports from the Saudi capital of Riyadh, that a National Dialogue to promote more political inclusion is underway and people are becoming increasingly comfortable speaking their minds.."
Click here to listen to this report.

"Saudi, U.S. Ties Strained"

"Although Saudi Arabia and the United States have been tacit if not always open allies for decades, the relationship at the moment is uneasy. Many Americans have concluded that the conservative form of Islam predominant in Saudi Arabia has encouraged terrorism. And many Saudis feel that the United States has behaved clumsily throughout the Middle East. NPR's Mike Shuster reports.."
Click here to listen to this report.

"Saudi Shiites Seek Equality"

"For most of Saudi Arabia's history, the country's Sunni majority has treated minority Shiites as second-class citizens. A reform process is currently underway to bring Shiites into the mainstream of Saudi life. But some conservatives are bent on keeping Shiites excluded from the Saudi power structure. NPR's Mike Shuster reports.."
Click here to listen to this report.