The saudi government has actuslly tapped into a yearning desire for change at many levels ,hence the relationship between power and legitmacy is well bslanced . Thd long awited succesdion grnerations has been schieved as almost nonevent domedtically and internationally .The tabbos of keeping ministers for long is gone .The foreign policy is asseryive and sctive and is popular . The regional situation is moving nicrly .The syrian rrgime is going through its own demise with HizbAllah is mired in a war of attrition ,the obama adiminstration finally is tilting yo a more teslstic approach to its polucy in the region ,thr yrmni oppostion is gathrting steam .

Only in those countries which battle Iran. Amazingly transparent operation to support the real violator.

Dear Sir, I am in Riyadh , and I donot see the panic you are talking about . But the Saudis are familiar with blame of all sorts , so we can manage . The royal family managed a generational transformation smoothly as if we are not in our region . The Saudi middle class is stronger and more vibrant while Iran , Iraq , and Egypt are mired in corruption and decimated middle classes .Only Israel does better , but our evloutionary path is stable and directionally positive . Off course we live in a difficult region and the path to genuine development is long and fraught with risks , but to say Saudis are not making progress in governance , infrastructure ( capital and human ) , better handle on regional issues is not only to mis the mark but mislead and help the enemies of peace in the region .