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Despite homosexuality being illegal in Saudi Arabia, there is a large number of men who are secretly gay.<ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2007/05/the-kingdom-in-the-closet/305774/ The Kingdom in the Closet - The Atlantic]. May 2007</ref>
Despite homosexuality being illegal in Saudi Arabia, there is a large number of men who are secretly gay.<ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2007/05/the-kingdom-in-the-closet/305774/ The Kingdom in the Closet - The Atlantic]. May 2007</ref>
==People==
==People==
Saudi Arabia's 2007 population was estimated to be about 27.6 million, including about 5.6 million resident foreigners. Until the 1960s, most of the population was nomadic or seminomadic; due to rapid economic and urban growth, more than 95% of the population now is settled. Some cities and oases have densities of more than 1,000 people per square kilometer (2,600 per sq. mi). Saudi Arabia has undergone a population boom of sorts in the last few decades.
Saudi Arabia's 2007 population was estimated to be about 27.6 million, including about 5.6 million resident foreigners. Until the 1960s, most of the population was nomadic or seminomadic; due to rapid economic and urban growth, more than 95% of the population now is settled. Some cities and oases have densities of more than 1,000 people per square kilometer (2,600 per sq. mi). Saudi Arabia has undergone a population boom of sorts in the last few decades.
==Government==
==Government==
[[File:MBS Epstein.GIF|right|300px|thumb|This photo, which appears to show [[Jeffrey Epstein]] and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was released by the [[US Justice Department]] as part of [[Epstein files]].<br>''Source: [[US Department of Justice]].]]
The central institution of Saudi Arabian government is the monarchy. The Basic Law adopted in 1992 declared that Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by the sons and grandsons of King Abd Al Aziz Al Saud, and that the Holy [[Qur'an]] is the constitution of the country, which is governed on the basis of Islamic law ([[Shari'a]]). There are no political parties or national elections; however, the country held its first municipal elections in 2005. The king's powers are limited because he must observe the Shari'a and other Saudi traditions. He also must retain a consensus of the numerous Saudi royal family, religious leaders (ulema), and other important elements in Saudi society. The leading members of the royal family choose the king from among themselves with the subsequent approval of the ulema.
The central institution of Saudi Arabian government is the monarchy. The Basic Law adopted in 1992 declared that Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by the sons and grandsons of King Abd Al Aziz Al Saud, and that the Holy [[Qur'an]] is the constitution of the country, which is governed on the basis of Islamic law ([[Shari'a]]). There are no political parties or national elections; however, the country held its first municipal elections in 2005. The king's powers are limited because he must observe the Shari'a and other Saudi traditions. He also must retain a consensus of the numerous Saudi royal family, religious leaders (ulema), and other important elements in Saudi society. The leading members of the royal family choose the king from among themselves with the subsequent approval of the ulema.
Saudi kings gradually have developed a central government. Since 1953, the Council of Ministers, appointed by and responsible to the king, has advised on the formulation of general policy and directed the activities of the growing bureaucracy. This council consists of a prime minister, the first and second deputy prime ministers, 20 ministers (of whom the minister of defense also is the second deputy prime minister), two ministers of state, and a small number of advisers and heads of major autonomous organizations.
Saudi kings gradually have developed a central government. Since 1953, the Council of Ministers, appointed by and responsible to the king, has advised on the formulation of general policy and directed the activities of the growing bureaucracy. This council consists of a prime minister, the first and second deputy prime ministers, 20 ministers (of whom the minister of defense also is the second deputy prime minister), two ministers of state, and a small number of advisers and heads of major autonomous organizations.
===Recent politics===
===Recent politics===
[[File:Temple1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|The "Mosque" on Epstein island decorated with artifacts from the [[Kaaba]]. [[Occult]] ritual abuse is said to have taken place. The entrance has a locking bar from the outside to keep people inside.]]
[[Jeffrey Epstein]] obtained sacred artifacts and pieces of the Kiswa—the holy black-and-gold cloth covering the Kaaba in [[Mecca]]—to decorate a private island building that he and his associates referred to as a "mosque". The "Mosque" built on Epstein's private [[Caribbean]] island, Little Saint Jame is a blue-and-white-striped structure topped with a golden dome. While initially planning a Turkish bathhouse or music room, Epstein regularly called the structure his "mosque" in private correspondence and discussions with hired artists.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/world/americas/jeffrey-epstein-islam-mosque-island-kaaba-sex-offender-kiswa.html</ref>
The Mecca artifacts shipment in March 2017 arrived at Epstein's residence containing three pieces of the sacred Kiswa: one used inside the Kaaba, one from the outer covering, and one unused piece made from the same materials (labeled as "artworks" for customs). The transfer was coordinated through [[Middle East]]ern contacts, including [[Emirati]] businesswoman Aziza Al-Ahmadi and Abdullah Al-Maari. Emails in the unsealed [[US Justice Department]] files highlighted the [[religious]] [[history]] of the fabric, noting that millions of worshippers had touched and prayed near the outer covering.
====Third Gulf war====
====Third Gulf war====
Operating in coordination with [[Ansar Allah]]'s consolidation of the [[Yemen]]i [[Red Sea]] coast (including the [[strategic]] port of Mocha and littoral islands commanding the southern [[maritime]] approaches), deep-strike one-way attack [[drone]]s struck booster stations along the 5-million-barrel-per-day Petroline. The [[infrastructure]]—built specifically to transport [[crude oil]] from the Eastern Province to Yanbu on the Red Sea to bypass the [[Strait of Hormuz]]—was shut down entirely by [[Saudi Aramco]] following significant infrastructure damage. Intelligence assessments indicate the strike packages may have originated from [[Iraq]]i resistance factions operating with regional coordination.
Operating in coordination with [[Ansar Allah]]'s consolidation of the [[Yemen]]i [[Red Sea]] coast (including the [[strategic]] port of Mocha and littoral islands commanding the southern [[maritime]] approaches), deep-strike one-way attack [[drone]]s struck booster stations along the 5-million-barrel-per-day Petroline. The [[infrastructure]]—built specifically to transport [[crude oil]] from the Eastern Province to Yanbu on the Red Sea to bypass the [[Strait of Hormuz]]—was shut down entirely by [[Saudi Aramco]] following significant infrastructure damage. Intelligence assessments indicate the strike packages may have originated from [[Iraq]]i resistance factions operating with regional coordination.
===Women===
===Women===
[[File:Young Saudi Arabian woman.jpg|right|170px]]
Saudi Arabia has had strict gender segregation laws prohibiting women from holding jobs, meeting men other than their relatives, or living independently of a family or husband. These laws were enforced by an Islamic department of the police force, justified as measures to protect Islamic culture and morality.
Saudi Arabia has had strict gender segregation laws prohibiting women from holding jobs, meeting men other than their relatives, or living independently of a family or husband. These laws were enforced by an Islamic department of the police force, justified as measures to protect Islamic culture and morality.
The strict segregation of women in Saudi Arabia, although a consequence of tradition and [[Wahhabi]] conservatism, continued to be implemented even as urbanization has progressed and the authority of the state has grown.
The strict segregation of women in Saudi Arabia, although a consequence of tradition and [[Wahhabi]] conservatism, continued to be implemented even as urbanization has progressed and the authority of the state has grown.
==Wahhabi Lobby==
==Wahhabi Lobby==
[[File:Alwaleed bintalal cp 5515065.jpg|thumb|Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud.]]
Since post [[911]], worry about the Wahhabi Lobby grew.<ref>[https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-108shrg91326/html/CHRG-108shrg91326.htm Terrorism: Growing Wahhabi Influence In The United States]
Since post [[911]], worry about the Wahhabi Lobby grew.<ref>[https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-108shrg91326/html/CHRG-108shrg91326.htm Terrorism: Growing Wahhabi Influence In The United States]
Hearing Before The Subcommittee On Terrorism, Technology And Homeland Security. Of The Committee On The Judiciary United States Senate One Hundred Eighth Congress. First Session, June 26, 2003</ref><ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/europes-wahhabi-lobby/ Europe's Wahhabi Lobby - CBS News]. Oct 7, 2005.</ref>
Hearing Before The Subcommittee On Terrorism, Technology And Homeland Security. Of The Committee On The Judiciary United States Senate One Hundred Eighth Congress. First Session, June 26, 2003</ref><ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/europes-wahhabi-lobby/ Europe's Wahhabi Lobby - CBS News]. Oct 7, 2005.</ref>
==Notable Saudi Arabians==
==Notable Saudi Arabians==
*[[Osama Bin Laden]]: former leader of Al-Qaeda; died in 2011
*[[Osama Bin Laden]]: former leader of Al-Qaeda; died in 2011