One of the most devout and insular countries in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has emerged from being an underdeveloped desert kingdom to become one of the wealthiest nations in the region thanks to vast oil resources. But its rulers face the delicate task of responding to pressure for reform while combating a growing problem of extremist violence. OVERVIEWNamed after the ruling Al Saud family, which came to power in the 18th century, the country includes the Hijaz region - the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the cradle of Islam. This fact, combined with the Al Sauds' espousal of a strict interpretation of Sunni Islam known as Wahhabism, has led it to develop a strongly religious self-identity.
Saudi Arabia was established in 1932 by King Abd-al-Aziz - known as the Lion of Najd - who took over Hijaz from the Hashemite family and united the country under his family's rule. Since his death in 1953, he has been succeeded by various sons. The Al Saud dynasty's monopoly of power meant that during the 20th century successive kings were able to concentrate on modernisation and on developing the country's role as a regional power. It has always been in the ruling family's interests to preserve stability in the region and to clamp down on extremist elements. To this end, it welcomed the stationing of US troops in the country after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. But the leadership's refusal to tolerate any kind of opposition may have encouraged the growth of dissident groups such as Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda, which benefited from popular resentment against the role of the US in the Middle East. After the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington of 11 September 2001 - carried out mainly by Saudi nationals - the Saudi authorities were further torn between their natural instincts to step up internal security and pressure to allow a greater degree of democracy. In 2003 suicide bombers suspected of having links with al-Qaeda killed 35 people - including a number of foreigners - in the capital Riyadh. Some Saudis referred to the attacks as their own 9/11. Since then, demands for political reform have increased, as has the frequency of militant attacks, some of them targeted at foreign workers. The security forces have made thousands of arrests. Municipal elections in 2005 were a first, limited exercise in democracy. But political parties are banned - the opposition is organised from outside the country - and activists who publicly broach the subject of reform risk being jailed. Saudi Arabia sits on more than 25% of the world's known oil reserves. It is capable of producing more than 10 million barrels per day; that figure is set to rise. FACTS
LEADERSHead of state, prime minister: King Abdullah Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Saud Saudi Arabia has been ruled since its foundation by the Al Saud dynasty. King Abdullah succeeded the late King Fahd, his half brother, in August 2005.
As crown prince, Abdullah had been the effective ruler of Saudi Arabia since the former king suffered a stroke in the mid-1990s. He became heir to the throne in 1982, commanded the powerful National Guard and was considered to be the most influential figure in the country. He is a former mayor of Mecca. His son, Mutib, is deputy commander of the National Guard. Abdullah is said to have forged alliances with other members of the ruling family to offset the influence of his seven half brothers. Known as the "Sudayri Seven", they are the most powerful alliance within the ruling family. He is seen as being untainted by corruption - giving credibility to his drive to stamp it out - and to favour reforms which are balanced with a respect for Saudi traditions. Regarded in the Arab world as a supporter of wider Arab interests, he has criticised US support for Israel and Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory. King Abdullah is believed to have been born in 1924. He received a traditional religious education and is close to the Saudi tribal way of life, often spending periods of time in the desert. MEDIASaudi Arabia, though a pioneer of pan-Arab satellite television, has long had one of the most tightly-controlled media environments in the Middle East.
Criticism of the government and royal family and the questioning of religious tenets are not generally tolerated. But by 2003 there were signs of increasing openness, with some formerly taboo topics receiving press and TV coverage. The September 11 attacks on the US and instances of domestic militancy were said to have brought about a bolder and more candid reporting. The state-run Broadcasting Service of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (BSKSA) is responsible for all broadcasting. It operates four TV networks, including news channel al-Ikhbariya. The minister of culture and information chairs the body which oversees radio and TV operations. Private radio and TV stations cannot operate from Saudi soil, but the country is a key market for pan-Arab satellite and pay-TV broadcasters. Saudi investors are behind some of these networks, including Dubai-based MBC and Bahrain-based Orbit. Viewers in the east can pick up TV stations from more liberal Gulf neighbours.
Saudi newspapers are created by royal decree. There are more than a dozen dailies and many magazines. Pan-Arab papers, subject to censorship, are available. Newspapers tend to follow the lead of the state-run news agency on whether or not to publish stories on sensitive subjects. The government has invested heavily in security systems to block access to websites it deems offensive, said to range in subject matter from religion to swimwear. There were 6.2 million internet users by March 2008 (ITU). Many surfers are said to be women, possibly a result of restrictions on their movements. There are said to be as many as 5,000 Saudi blogs. The press
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Saturday, April 25, 2009
Country profile: Saudi Arabia
Country profile: Afghanistan
Landlocked and mountainous, Afghanistan has suffered from such chronic instability and conflict during its modern history that its economy and
infrastructure are in ruins, and many of its people are refugees.
Since the fall of the Taleban administration in 2001, adherents of the hardline Islamic movement have re-grouped. It is now a resurgent force, particularly in the south and
east. A fledgling democratic government faces the challenges of extending its authority beyond the capital and of forging national unity.
OVERVIEW
ts strategic position sandwiched between the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent along the ancient "Silk
Route" means that Afghanistan has long been fought over - despite its rugged and forbidding terrain.
It was at the centre of the so-called "Great Game" in the 19th century when Imperial Russia and the British Empire in India vied for
influence.
AT A GLANCENato leads the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), a peacekeeping bodyAttacks by the Taleban continue, particularly in the southIncumbent leader Hamid Karzai won presidential elections in October 2004Parliament was inaugurated in December 2005
And it became a key Cold War battleground after thousands of Soviet troops intervened in 1979 to prop up a pro-communist regime, leading to a major confrontation that drew in the US and Afghanistan's neighbours.
But the outside world eventually lost interest after the withdrawal of Soviet forces, while the country's protracted civil war dragged on.
The emergence of the Taleban - originally a group of Islamic scholars - brought at least a measure of stability after nearly two decades of conflict.
But their extreme version of Islam attracted widespread criticism.
The Taleban - drawn from the Pashtun majority - were opposed by an alliance of factions drawn mainly from Afghanistan's minority communities and based in the north.
In control of about 90% of Afghanistan until late 2001, the Taleban were recognised as the legitimate government by only three countries.
They were at loggerheads with the international community over the presence on their soil of Osama bin Laden, accused by the US of masterminding the bombing of their embassies in Africa in 1998 and the attacks on the US on 11 September 2001.
After the Taleban's refusal to hand over bin Laden, the US initiated aerial attacks in October, paving the way for opposition groups to drive them from power.
Infighting between local commanders over power and territory became a feature of the post-Taleban period. The authorities in Kabul have been able to exert little control beyond the capital and militant violence has continued.
2008 is considered to have been the bloodiest year so far in Afghanistan for the Nato and US missions there since the Taleban was removed from government in 2001.
In March 2009 US President Barack Obama unveiled a new American strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan to combat what he called an increasingly perilous situation. An extra 4,000 US personnel will train and bolster the Afghan army and police, and there will also be support for civilian development.
Afghanistan's drugs industry makes up around 60% of the economy. The trade has boomed since the fall of the Taleban and the country supplies 93% of the world's opium, the raw ingredient of heroin.
International bodies and governments say the drugs trade is helping to fuel the Taleban insurgency, which is estimated to receive up to US$100m a year from the trade.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has called on Afghanistan to target the major traffickers and corrupt government officials, who it says operate with impunity in the country.
FACTS
- Full name: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
- Population: 28.2 million (UN, 2008)
- Capital and largest city: Kabul
- Area: 652,225 sq km (251,773 sq miles)
- Major languages: Pashto, Dari (Persian)
- Major religion: Islam
- Life expectancy: 44 years (men), 44 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 Afghani = 100 puls
- Main exports: Fruit and nuts, carpets, wool, opium
- GNI per capita: n/a
- Internet domain: .af
- International dialling code: +93
LEADERS
President: Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai, who headed the provisional administration set up when the Taleban were driven from power, won a five-year term in Afghanistan's first direct presidential elections in October 2004.
Hamid Karzai won a five-year mandate in October 2004
He gained 55.4% of the vote. Officials said voting irregularities were not enough to affect the outcome of the poll.
The president faces the challenges of forging national unity, disarming regional militias and tackling drug production. In 2002 he persuaded international donors to pledge $4bn to help rebuild his country.
Mr Karzai, a Pashtun leader, is an effective player on the world stage and has enjoyed strong backing from his Western allies. However, tensions have crept in over recent years.
Mr Karzai is expected to run for re-election in August 2009 but US-Afghan relations have taken a downturn as senior American officials have questioned the effectiveness and honesty of his government.
Born in the southern Afghan town of Kandahar in 1957, Hamid Karzai studied in India and France. Exiled in Pakistan for much of the Soviet occupation and during Taleban rule, he was chosen as post-Taleban Afghanistan's interim leader in late 2001.
Afghanistan's constitution, which was adopted in 2004 by an assembly of tribal representatives, envisages a powerful presidency and defines Afghanistan as an Islamic republic, where men and women enjoy equal status before the law.
Parliamentary and provincial elections were held in September 2005 and a new Afghan parliament held its inaugural session in December.
MEDIA
The growth in the number of media outlets - private TV stations in particular - has characterised the post-Taleban media scene.
Media outlets have flourished in the post-Taleban years
There are scores of radio stations, dozens of TV stations and some 100 active press titles, operating under a wide range of ownerships - from the government, provincial political-military powers and private owners to foreign and NGO sponsors. The main private TV and radio networks command large audiences.
An Australian-Afghan media group, Moby Capital Partners, operates some of the leading stations, including Tolo TV and Arman FM.
Much of the output on private TV stations consists of imported Indian music shows and serials, and programmes modelled on Western formats. The channels are very popular in urban centres, especially among the under 30s.
However, media laws prohibit material that is deemed to run counter to Islamic law and some private stations have drawn the ire of conservative religious elements. Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders says media regulatory bodies are "under the government's thumb".
Relays of foreign radio stations or stations funded from overseas are on the air in Kabul, including the BBC, Radio France Internationale, Deutsche Welle and US-funded broadcasts from Radio Free Afghanistan, which uses the name Azadi Radio, and the Voice of America, which brands its Dari and Pashto broadcasts as Radio Ashna ("Friend").
BBC World Service is also available on FM and mediumwave (AM) in other parts of Afghanistan.
Newspaper readership has seen a significant leap, from almost nil under Taleban rule. Newspapers tend to reflect more openly on domestic developments than do broadcasters.
Internet access is scarce and computer literacy and ownership rates are low. There were 500,000 internet users by December 2008 (ITU).
Afghanistan's media were seriously restricted under Taleban rule. Radio Afghanistan was renamed Radio Voice of Shariah and reflected the Islamic fundamentalist values of the Taleban. TV was seen as a source of moral corruption and was banned.
The press
- Hewad ("Homeland") - government-sponsored daily
- Anis ("Companion") - government-sponsored daily
- Kabul Times - state-run daily, English-language pages
The Daily Afghanistan - private Daily Outlook - private, English-language- Kabul Weekly - private, English-language pages
- Payam-e Mojahed ("Voice of Mojahed") - Northern Alliance weekly
Radio
- Radio Afghanistan - run by state broadcaster National Radio-TV Afghanistan (NRTA)
- Arman FM - Afghanistan's first private radio station, on FM in Kabul and other cities
Ariana Radio - private network, on FM in Kabul and across many provinces
Television
- National Television Afghanistan - run by state broadcaster (NRTA), via terrestrial relays and satellite
- Tolo TV - leading private network, via provincial relays and satellite; initially supported by US development agency USAID but now says it is self-financing
- Lemar TV - private, Pashto-language sister station of Tolo TV
- Aina TV - private, broadcasts to major Afghan cities terrestrially and to Central Asia and Europe via satellite
- Ariana TV - private, broadcasts terrestrially in many provinces and via satellite to Asia, Europe and North America
News agencies
- Bakhtar News Agency - state-run
- Pajhwok Afghan News - private
- Afghan Islamic Press - private, based in Peshawar, Pakistan
- Full name: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
- Population: 28.2 million (UN, 2008)
- Capital and largest city: Kabul
- Area: 652,225 sq km (251,773 sq miles)
- Major languages: Pashto, Dari (Persian)
- Major religion: Islam
- Life expectancy: 44 years (men), 44 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 Afghani = 100 puls
- Main exports: Fruit and nuts, carpets, wool, opium
- GNI per capita: n/a
- Internet domain: .af
- International dialling code: +93
LEADERS
President: Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai, who headed the provisional administration set up when the Taleban were driven from power, won a five-year term in Afghanistan's first direct presidential elections in October 2004.
Hamid Karzai won a five-year mandate in October 2004
He gained 55.4% of the vote. Officials said voting irregularities were not enough to affect the outcome of the poll.
The president faces the challenges of forging national unity, disarming regional militias and tackling drug production. In 2002 he persuaded international donors to pledge $4bn to help rebuild his country.
Mr Karzai, a Pashtun leader, is an effective player on the world stage and has enjoyed strong backing from his Western allies. However, tensions have crept in over recent years.
Mr Karzai is expected to run for re-election in August 2009 but US-Afghan relations have taken a downturn as senior American officials have questioned the effectiveness and honesty of his government.
Born in the southern Afghan town of Kandahar in 1957, Hamid Karzai studied in India and France. Exiled in Pakistan for much of the Soviet occupation and during Taleban rule, he was chosen as post-Taleban Afghanistan's interim leader in late 2001.
Afghanistan's constitution, which was adopted in 2004 by an assembly of tribal representatives, envisages a powerful presidency and defines Afghanistan as an Islamic republic, where men and women enjoy equal status before the law.
Parliamentary and provincial elections were held in September 2005 and a new Afghan parliament held its inaugural session in December.
MEDIA
The growth in the number of media outlets - private TV stations in particular - has characterised the post-Taleban media scene.
Media outlets have flourished in the post-Taleban years
There are scores of radio stations, dozens of TV stations and some 100 active press titles, operating under a wide range of ownerships - from the government, provincial political-military powers and private owners to foreign and NGO sponsors. The main private TV and radio networks command large audiences.
An Australian-Afghan media group, Moby Capital Partners, operates some of the leading stations, including Tolo TV and Arman FM.
Much of the output on private TV stations consists of imported Indian music shows and serials, and programmes modelled on Western formats. The channels are very popular in urban centres, especially among the under 30s.
However, media laws prohibit material that is deemed to run counter to Islamic law and some private stations have drawn the ire of conservative religious elements. Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders says media regulatory bodies are "under the government's thumb".
Relays of foreign radio stations or stations funded from overseas are on the air in Kabul, including the BBC, Radio France Internationale, Deutsche Welle and US-funded broadcasts from Radio Free Afghanistan, which uses the name Azadi Radio, and the Voice of America, which brands its Dari and Pashto broadcasts as Radio Ashna ("Friend").
BBC World Service is also available on FM and mediumwave (AM) in other parts of Afghanistan.
Newspaper readership has seen a significant leap, from almost nil under Taleban rule. Newspapers tend to reflect more openly on domestic developments than do broadcasters.
Internet access is scarce and computer literacy and ownership rates are low. There were 500,000 internet users by December 2008 (ITU).
Afghanistan's media were seriously restricted under Taleban rule. Radio Afghanistan was renamed Radio Voice of Shariah and reflected the Islamic fundamentalist values of the Taleban. TV was seen as a source of moral corruption and was banned.
The press
- Hewad ("Homeland") - government-sponsored daily
- Anis ("Companion") - government-sponsored daily
- Kabul Times - state-run daily, English-language pages
The Daily Afghanistan - private Daily Outlook - private, English-language- Kabul Weekly - private, English-language pages
- Payam-e Mojahed ("Voice of Mojahed") - Northern Alliance weekly
Radio
- Radio Afghanistan - run by state broadcaster National Radio-TV Afghanistan (NRTA)
- Arman FM - Afghanistan's first private radio station, on FM in Kabul and other cities
Ariana Radio - private network, on FM in Kabul and across many provinces
Television
- National Television Afghanistan - run by state broadcaster (NRTA), via terrestrial relays and satellite
- Tolo TV - leading private network, via provincial relays and satellite; initially supported by US development agency USAID but now says it is self-financing
- Lemar TV - private, Pashto-language sister station of Tolo TV
- Aina TV - private, broadcasts to major Afghan cities terrestrially and to Central Asia and Europe via satellite
- Ariana TV - private, broadcasts terrestrially in many provinces and via satellite to Asia, Europe and North America
News agencies
- Bakhtar News Agency - state-run
- Pajhwok Afghan News - private
- Afghan Islamic Press - private, based in Peshawar, Pakistan
The growth in the number of media outlets - private TV stations in particular - has characterised the post-Taleban media scene.
| Media outlets have flourished in the post-Taleban years |
There are scores of radio stations, dozens of TV stations and some 100 active press titles, operating under a wide range of ownerships - from the government, provincial political-military powers and private owners to foreign and NGO sponsors. The main private TV and radio networks command large audiences.
An Australian-Afghan media group, Moby Capital Partners, operates some of the leading stations, including Tolo TV and Arman FM.
Much of the output on private TV stations consists of imported Indian music shows and serials, and programmes modelled on Western formats. The channels are very popular in urban centres, especially among the under 30s.
However, media laws prohibit material that is deemed to run counter to Islamic law and some private stations have drawn the ire of conservative religious elements. Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders says media regulatory bodies are "under the government's thumb".
Relays of foreign radio stations or stations funded from overseas are on the air in Kabul, including the BBC, Radio France Internationale, Deutsche Welle and US-funded broadcasts from Radio Free Afghanistan, which uses the name Azadi Radio, and the Voice of America, which brands its Dari and Pashto broadcasts as Radio Ashna ("Friend").
BBC World Service is also available on FM and mediumwave (AM) in other parts of Afghanistan.
Newspaper readership has seen a significant leap, from almost nil under Taleban rule. Newspapers tend to reflect more openly on domestic developments than do broadcasters.
Internet access is scarce and computer literacy and ownership rates are low. There were 500,000 internet users by December 2008 (ITU).
Afghanistan's media were seriously restricted under Taleban rule. Radio Afghanistan was renamed Radio Voice of Shariah and reflected the Islamic fundamentalist values of the Taleban. TV was seen as a source of moral corruption and was banned.
The press
- Hewad ("Homeland") - government-sponsored daily
- Anis ("Companion") - government-sponsored daily
- Kabul Times - state-run daily, English-language pages The Daily Afghanistan - private Daily Outlook - private, English-language
- Kabul Weekly - private, English-language pages
- Payam-e Mojahed ("Voice of Mojahed") - Northern Alliance weekly
Radio
- Radio Afghanistan - run by state broadcaster National Radio-TV Afghanistan (NRTA)
- Arman FM - Afghanistan's first private radio station, on FM in Kabul and other cities Ariana Radio - private network, on FM in Kabul and across many provinces
Television
- National Television Afghanistan - run by state broadcaster (NRTA), via terrestrial relays and satellite
- Tolo TV - leading private network, via provincial relays and satellite; initially supported by US development agency USAID but now says it is self-financing
- Lemar TV - private, Pashto-language sister station of Tolo TV
- Aina TV - private, broadcasts to major Afghan cities terrestrially and to Central Asia and Europe via satellite
- Ariana TV - private, broadcasts terrestrially in many provinces and via satellite to Asia, Europe and North America
News agencies
- Bakhtar News Agency - state-run
- Pajhwok Afghan News - private
- Afghan Islamic Press - private, based in Peshawar, Pakistan