Mohammed Bin Salman Owes America More Than A Weapons Order

We know what Arabia was.  A land of warriors and a religious cadre, the Wahhabis.  The warriors gave way to the rulers enriched from soon discovered oil.  The Wahhabis could now spread the Salafist form of Islam far and wide.

In the short run, it worked marvelously.  In the long run cracks are beginning to show in this Islamic nation.  Where submission to ancient writings is valued over all else and where heresy is one of the most fearsome of charges, there can be little scientific progress.  There may be some room for scientific progress but it will come mostly from Muslims who have been exposed to western ideas by studying in western countries.

It would seem the Saudi ruler has become aware of this.  He wants to modernize his country.  That he has opened the way for Saudi women to be given the right to drive is an indication of this.  However, the fear and trepidations with which he has taken even this most tiny of steps shows clearly his concerns with changing his society too quickly.  And, these fears are very likely well founded.

This is where America might step in and offer a helping hand.  There are in our ranks trained individuals who have studied cultures and societies and who might offer ideas to the king as to how he might safely reshape his nation.

One idea might be to help moderate Islamic scholors review and recast the Hadith and the Sunna.  This might create an opening to a recast Sharia.  This won't be easy and it won't be fast.  A first step might be to fund some mosques in America to be led by progressive Islamic scholars.

Associations should be formed in this country where progressive imams can meet and discuss with one another and their members ideas as to how Islam can cooperate with Christian and Jewish institutions.  And, finally, such moderate institutions must reach out to Jews and end their war with Israel.  The Palestinians won't like that, but it's got to be.  If the king can end hatred towards Israel, much can be accomplished.

It's little enough to ask for our president's coverup of MBS's elimination of Khashoggi.