Saudi Arabia is governed by what amounts to an extended family. It is a country in the sense that all other countries recognize it as a country. But it's actually a kingdom ruled by a hereditary monarchy. In the 21st Century this goes on.
I've read brief blurbs about the kingdom's unemployment rate, particularly among its young, as ridiculously high for such a wealthy country whose leadership has the wealth to do some truly constructive things for its citizenry.
But, down through the ages, it seems monarchial regimes enrich themselves to the detriment of the subjects.
Saudi Arabia doesn't diplomatically recognize Israel as a sovereign nation. I read that in a NYT article this morning in the Charlotte Observer. Other Middle East nations no doubt have the same diplomatic stance with Israel.
Israel, on the other hand, doesn't recognize Palestine as a sovereign entity.
When it comes to political polarization, the Middle East makes the polarization in the US look like an argument on the school playground during recess.
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