So, this might or might not be impossible to do, but create a scenario where Saudi Arabia is even more religiously extreme than in our timeline. If you can, elaborate on the differences between Saudi Arabia's OTL extremism and your scenario.
Good luck getting them to last against literally every other Arab country plus Iran invading them at once.Easy, have Ibn Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia (or the "third Saudi state"), fail to suppress the Ikhwan rebellion of the late-1920s. The Ikhwan, which originally was formed as the old guard if you will of Ibn Saud's Najd army, had by the mid-20s become disillusioned with the more flexible (relatively speaking, mind you) religious policy of Ibn Saud after his conquest of the Hejaz and the Eastern province, and demanded the full implementation of Wahhabi doctrine, which would have meant, among other things, the expulsion/genocide of the Shi'a population in the East and denial of Hajj to all non-Salafi/Wahhabi Sunni Muslims, let alone the Shi'a. If they're able to successfully oust the Saudi clan from power, or install a Saudi claimant as a virtual puppet of them, then you'd instantly have the makings of an even more backward, intolerant Wahhabi-dominated state.
No one said anything about such a state being a lasting one TMK.Good luck getting them to last against literally every other Arab country plus Iran invading them at once.
Good luck getting them to last against literally every other Arab country plus Iran invading them at once.
If they're run by religious fanatics rather than power-hungry scum, there's a not-insignificant chance they might piss off America, causing America to push them until they lashed out, then the absurd war machine of the USA rolls out and ten days later the Republic of Arabia is declared with a formerly-exiled scholar from Chicago as its interim leader with a few Army divisions as insurance left to back him up.::shrugs::
Once they've firmly established themselves as an independent and later dominant power base in the Arabian Penninsula, the status quo will be recalibrated and most regional actors will just accept a pure Wahhabi state for what it is, however grudgingly. And also, knowing the history of British and American friendliness with some of the most moribund, gangsterish, and brutal regimes of the 20th century, does anyone here honestly believe they'll have any hesitations in interacting with an Ikhwan regime to get some of that sweet, sweet oil extraction?
::shrugs::
Once they've firmly established themselves as an independent and later dominant power base in the Arabian Penninsula, the status quo will be recalibrated and most regional actors will just accept a pure Wahhabi state for what it is, however grudgingly. And also, knowing the history of British and American friendliness with some of the most moribund, gangsterish, and brutal regimes of the 20th century, does anyone here honestly believe they'll have any hesitations in interacting with an Ikhwan regime to get some of that sweet, sweet oil extraction?
::shrugs::
Once they've firmly established themselves as an independent and later dominant power base in the Arabian Penninsula, the status quo will be recalibrated and most regional actors will just accept a pure Wahhabi state for what it is, however grudgingly. And also, knowing the history of British and American friendliness with some of the most moribund, gangsterish, and brutal regimes of the 20th century, does anyone here honestly believe they'll have any hesitations in interacting with an Ikhwan regime to get some of that sweet, sweet oil extraction?
Both of things are true OTL anyway.Whabbism is already worrying extreme, save going full on ISIS interpretation of Islam (so women are property, homosexuality punished by death) and religious rule without a Royal Family and it being lead by a council of Cleriks instead. Really I dunno much about Islam to comment.
The Hajj being blocked happened OTL for Iranian nationals.Given how important Haji to Islam is, the denial of Hajj to all non-Salafi/Wahhabi Sunni and Shia Muslims would be inviting all the non- Wahhabi Muslims to form a coalitiom to retake the two Holiest cities in Islam. It may even bring along better relations between Sunni and Shia.
Why would a Wahhabi fundamentalist country trade oil to the decadent west? Viewing from Realist IR prespective, toppling such regime and courting the favour of ALL other Muslims sounds much more beneficial to US and British interests.
The Hajj being blocked happened OTL for Iranian nationals.
If it happened in the 1920s could those other countries do much, weren't they all European colonies or protectorates? Except Iran I think.Good luck getting them to last against literally every other Arab country plus Iran invading them at once.
Given how important Haji to Islam is, the denial of Hajj to all non-Salafi/Wahhabi Sunni and Shia Muslims would be inviting all the non- Wahhabi Muslims to form a coalitiom to retake the two Holiest cities in Islam. It may even bring along better relations between Sunni and Shia.
Why would a Wahhabi fundamentalist country trade oil to the decadent west? Viewing from Realist IR prespective, toppling such regime and courting the favour of ALL other Muslims sounds much more beneficial to US and British interests.
Turkey was independent too, plus Afghanistan. Of course for reasons below the Europeans will be quite willing to deal with the Ikwhan themselvesIf it happened in the 1920s could those other countries do much, weren't they all European colonies or protectorates? Except Iran I think.
What oil extraction? Nobody found oil in Saudi Arabia until 1938, there were no oil concessions until 1933. So an Ikwhan regime would not have oil, as they would not be willing to grant concessions to bring in western experts to find it. Plus the Ikwhan was raiding British territory before the revolt, doubt they would stop if they win, that's going to draw down some serious wrath on their heads::shrugs::
Once they've firmly established themselves as an independent and later dominant power base in the Arabian Penninsula, the status quo will be recalibrated and most regional actors will just accept a pure Wahhabi state for what it is, however grudgingly. And also, knowing the history of British and American friendliness with some of the most moribund, gangsterish, and brutal regimes of the 20th century, does anyone here honestly believe they'll have any hesitations in interacting with an Ikhwan regime to get some of that sweet, sweet oil extraction?
Turkey was independent too, plus Afghanistan. Of course for reasons below the Europeans will be quite willing to deal with the Ikwhan themselves
What oil extraction? Nobody found oil in Saudi Arabia until 1938, there were no oil concessions until 1933. So an Ikwhan regime would not have oil, as they would not be willing to grant concessions to bring in western experts to find it. Plus the Ikwhan was raiding British territory before the revolt, doubt they would stop if they win, that's going to draw down some serious wrath on their heads