Most observers of the Arab world point out that Islam has and is
currently playing a significant role in the region's political life.
In particular, the more fanatical, religiously based political movements
have and are determining the internal stability of the Middle East and
consequently affect the United States' political and economic position
in the world.
The success of the Iranian Islamic Revolution has dramatically underscored
the United States' ignorance of the political impact of Islam.
Not only has the revolution embarrassed the United States but it has also
threatened the stability of those regimes which America currently depends
upon economically and politically; specifically, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Given the political influence of Islam and the importance of Saudi
Arabia to the United States, the question must be asked concerning Saudi
Arabia's ability to withstand the current wave of Islamic revolutionary
activity.
Through an analysis of two previous politically influential Islamic
Fundamentalist Movements in the Middle East; the Moslem Brotherhood of
Egypt and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Movement, as well as an in
depth analysis of Saudi Arabian society and politics, this thesis will
prove that Saudi Arabia cannot withstand the strains presented by Islamic
fundamentalist activity. Specifically, it will confirm that certain,
identifable socio-political phenomena exist in Saudi Arabia today that
were common to both Egypt and Iran and ultimately will lead to a change
in relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia, if not a dramatic
upheaval in Saudi Arabian society and internal politics.http://archive.org/details/moslemfundamenta00jayjLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited
