1. a) What reform by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (known as MBS) has not been reported on in the U.S.?
b) Why should this be big news in the U.S.?

2. How will the potential success of this attempt by bin Salman change the course in Saudi Arabia?

3. The purpose of an editorial/commentary is to explain, persuade, warn, criticize, answer, entertain, praise or inspire. What do you think is the purpose of this editorial? Explain your answer.

3. The U.S. has a definite interest in seeing Mohammad bin Salman’s reforms succeed. It sounds possible. Will he succeed at modernization in Saudi Arabia where others have failed? Consider the following as you read news reports in the coming year on this topic:

WAHHABISM:

• Wahhabism is the dominent form of Islam practiced in Saudi Arabia, and is spread by the Saudis around the world through the funding of mosques and schools including in the U.S.
• Wahhabism is an extremist … and violent movement that emerged, with the pretension of “reforming” Islam, in the central area of Arabia in the 18th century.
• Wahhabism … (including the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and the Pakistani Islamists) is the main source of Islamic extremist violence in the world today.
• Just as there are many denominations of Christianity (such as Catholic or Protestant) or Judaism (such as orthodox or liberal) there are a number of denominations of Islam.  The major denominations of Islam are Sunni and Shi’a.  Wahhabism is a sect of Sunni Islam.
•  (from old.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/interrogatory111802.asp - link no longer works)

Note: This commentator at Gatestone brings up some good questions about intolerance in Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia: What About the Hate-Filled Textbooks and Sermons?