{"title":"Malise Ruthven","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMalise Ruthven\u003c\/strong\u003e offers a compelling exploration of historical and contemporary issues with a focus on the complex intersections of religion, politics, and culture. Readers can expect incisive analysis and thought-provoking narratives that challenge conventional perspectives and illuminate the forces shaping our world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough works such as \u003cem\u003eUnholy Kingdom\u003c\/em\u003e, Ruthven delves into the tensions and transformations within societies, particularly in the Middle East. His writing is insightful, well-researched, and engages deeply with themes of power, identity, and conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"unholy-kingdom-by-malise-ruthven-9781839760105","title":"Unholy Kingdom","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReveals a riveting portrait of a nation mired in complexities. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has promoted itself as an open country: oil-rich but investing in culture, tourism, social innovation, and establishing itself as a beacon in the Middle East mired in violence. However, the murder in October 2018 of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Istanbul embassy reveals a darker reality: the intensification of the repression of religious and political criticism and protest driven by the war in Yemen, sectarian rivalry with Iran, and volatile relations with the United States during the Trump administration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eUnholy Kingdom\u003c\/em\u003e, Malise Ruthven, a leading commentator on Islamic affairs, reconstructs the history of the nation and shows how its attempts to modernise itself have produced repression, corruption, and war across the region. This is fuelled by the massive arms purchases paid for by the oil exports that contribute to global warming. In particular, he shows how the royal House of Saud has co-opted Wahhabism to consolidate its power and enforce a strict authoritarian regime over its people in collusion with Western businesses and governments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book looks to Saudi's future in the hands of crown prince MBS, who, on one hand, is driving the country's liberalisation while, on the other, is imposing his autocratic will upon the region through cyber-manipulation, economics, and war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000835031276,"sku":"9781839760105","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/500083482843.jpg?v=1763308760"},{"product_id":"unholy-kingdom-by-malise-ruthven-9781839760112","title":"Unholy Kingdom","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn recent years, the ruling family in Saudi Arabia, the House of Saud, has promoted the oil-rich kingdom as an open, liberalising nation that has invested in culture, tourism, and social innovation to become a beacon for the region. International political manoeuvring, sports sponsorship, and the Vision 2030 programme with its vast architectural planning declare a bold future. But the murder in October 2018 of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul reveals a darker reality: one of intensifying political and religious repression. This is within the tumultuous context of the war in Yemen, sectarian rivalry with Iran, the crisis in Gaza, and volatile relations with the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMalise Ruthven, a leading commentator on Islamic affairs, reconstructs the nation’s history. He shows how the royal house co-opted Wahhabism to consolidate its power and enforce authoritarianism in collusion with Western businesses and governments. \u003ci\u003eUnholy Kingdom\u003c\/i\u003e looks to the nation’s future in the hands of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who touts the country’s liberalisation while aggressively imposing his will upon the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis essential book traces the shifting fault lines in the Middle East to determine Saudi Arabia’s place in our volatile times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47617305149676,"sku":"9781839760112","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3045b5ec85087942c779e5132aa3f096.jpg?v=1778531577"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/malise-ruthven.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}