Saudi Arabia is a country in the midst of a major cultural shift. Women are beginning to see changes that allow them more freedom; yet the country still restricts them in ways unimaginable in Western society. The government's ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 plan aims to modernize the infrastructure, technology, and tourism sectors to make Saudi Arabia more attractive to the international community. But the country's harsh social policies risk alienating visitors and investors alike. As world economies pivot from fossil fuels to "greener" alternatives, Saudi Arabia risks losing its main source of income--oil--and the wealth of social services it provides for its growing population. To remain an influential player in Middle Eastern politics and a dominant force in world economics, Saudi Arabia will have to navigate through a dizzying social and economic transformation.
