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The problem the man sees is that the non oil 8% of the economy does not grow. That is, he fears that the coming decline will not be mitigated by growth in other areas of the Saudi economy. His message is to his countrymen to develop other economic assets

Please correct me if I’m wrong. But don’t the arabs in general have a pretty miserable record (Over the last 100 years or more), in developing new industries or businesses of any sort without outside ‘help’?

Even their vaunted oil company, wells and production facilities were built by outside companies and were ‘taken over’ starting in 1982 and finished in 1988.

Also from experience and reading I believe that most Saudi’s think of themselves as ‘managers’ and wouldn’t ever think of sullying their hands with work. That’s why they import millions of people from other ‘Islamic Countries’ to do the work for them.

Please correct me if I’m wrong. But don’t the arabs in general have a pretty miserable record (Over the last 100 years or more), in developing new industries or businesses of any sort without outside ‘help’?

It may have to do with their culture in general ( see Shame, the Arab Psyche, and Islam ) and specifically with their tendency with being obsessed with "saving face" and being reluctant to admit to being wrong, which makes it hard to resolve problems.

I've dealt with Saudi military officers. They make pretty miserable managers.

I believe you are correct. More Westerners are there working for Aramco then Saudis. They import 3rd world citizens to be housekeepers. If the West had any balls, we should get our citizens out of there and tell our ‘friends’, to F themselves.

The Skyline of Dubai

Well, yes and no. The Arabs have made tremendous strides in using their oil and financial assets to develop their economies beyond only oil sales. For example in Saudi Arabis, early on, the Royal Saudi Commission of Jubail and Yanbu was established. It was pretty much run by the American Company of Saudia Arabian Bechtel. While the employees were largely American, they came from Bechtel organizations all over.

The area in Jubail Industrial zone grew from essentially 0 to around 250,000 in a period of roughly 25 years. The population is largely Saudi and is involved in running and servicing the mostly petrochemical plants there A similar situation exists in the west at Yanbu. I don't believe it is a large . While there is tremendous growth at Jubail, there is also growth in the economy further south in Al Khobar and Dammam. These cities have lots and lots of businesses great and small that support the Dhahran based Saudi Aramco and the industry at Jubail. The business of industrial support is huge. This business of wanting to be managers and not actually work has some basis in reality. There is however a desire to have things and lead a good life. The means are there if the work is done. There is change in attitude of those in the generations coming up. Then there is Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Both are truly world class business and financial centers. Any world company worth a damn must have at least offices and better yet, distribution there. Both are humming with the trade passing through the ports and warehouses and free trade zones and banks. All of the above is coveted by Iran. The Mullahs resent it all and want it for their own All this is beyond the comprehension of a common street organizer and political idealogue