TURKEY AND SAUDI.... CRACKS IN THE SOCIAL ARMOR?

Two very interesting articles that both have a potential fascinating common theme.

The story of Saudi youth questioning traditional approaches to Islam touches on a topic that has the royal family sleepless since the beginning of the Arab spring.

The article on the Shiites of Turkey in the injustices they perceive are taking place; well..... It too has Turkish leadership worried.

So what is the common link between these two stories?

Both of these critical governments in the region are showing signs of social stress that they are both long feared.

In the case of the Saudis, is a youth movement surrounded and encased with education and social media is simply questioning the current form of government, is all youthful segments of society, a successful society, are known to do.

It is this "questioning of authority" that the Saudi Royal family truly fears organizations such as the Muslim brotherhood will exploit.

Since the beginning of the Arab spring, the concerns of the Western world have truly been for staining governments of the GCC nations, with Saudi Arabia being the center of that discussion.

As is been the case throughout the Arab spring, suppression will not be the answer and yet suppression will be the reaction of the Saudi government.

As for the Shiites of Turkey, their question of "injustices" is nothing new.

Although their numbers make them truly a minority in their country, their ability to catch the attention of a Sunni dominated government is undeniable.

When we look at the questions the Shia of Turkey are asking, it is difficult to formulate an answer that they would probably understand or be willing to accept.

I can't help but notice, it is far easier, currently, to read of the Turkish governments concerns and actions towards the Kurdish issue then to find discussions of Sunni Shia tensions.

I'm not sure there is anywhere in the entire region where insecurity, social injustices and economic imbalances does not occupy majority of the day-to-day conversations.

But, seeing small fissures in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey are far different and much more ominous for everyone in the current events in Mali  Libya or Tunisia and even Syria.

Yet, is truly music to the ears of the Iranians\the Persians\when they hear stories of social, internal, tensions inside these two nations.

Having said that, it is far too easy and Iran to this list!

So, is the winter of 2013 moves towards the spring of 2013 the question becomes what is the next phase of the "Arab Spring" / Tunisian Virus.... Yes... I still refer to it as such :-)

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/02/saudi-youth-question-mohammed-al-ari-tom-cruise-of-wahhabism.html

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/02/ali-ozgunduz-shia-sectarian-fears-caferi-turkey.html