I think Iran is a better comparison. They keep up the pretense and ceremony of democratic legitimacy, have a sizable and somewhat-tolerated liberal civil societ

I think Iran is a better comparison. They keep up the pretense and ceremony of democratic legitimacy, have a sizable and somewhat-tolerated liberal civil society, and rose to power by calling the faithful to the streets. Saudi Arabia is a tough situation. The House of Saud is the only thing standing between the radical imams and total power. The future of the Middle East looks very dark right now. Egypt is the only large power where the forces of order and civilization are winning.