Here's the thing. Saving money with Geico was almost better than playing pick up basketball, because there's always that guy who joined your game he never passes the rock he constantly bricks theories and who completely you and then put his hands up and say no foul, no foul with Geico. It's easy to switch save on car insurance, no need to fake ankle sprain, because you're absolutely exhausted so which in save with Geiger it's almost better than sport. I got it any day and I felt, like thirty turn out, that worthy feelin finale at my podcast, but we re engaged. We have NBA author and Mental Health Advocate Kevin love. Rubbing robs us of more human potential, then it so. It's exert the pandemic that nobody is talking about. We talk about Kevin's journey with his anxiety, passion and, of course, the amazing NBA queer. Listen to us. We really

media on the eye how review apple podcast or wherever you gave a pot tat. You were those two psychic power since government conspiracies history is riddled with unexplained. Events can turn back now or learn stop they don't want you to know hello. Welcome back to the show my name is met. Our comrade nor Brown is out of the studio on an adventure. Low booby return, soon hello, they call me Ben, would join with their super producer, Paul Deck and, most importantly, you are here, and you are youth, and that makes this stuff. They don't want you to know that that any data of Gaza,

Just for the sake of the show, I feel like I already know the answer to this: have you ever travel to the Middle EAST in in a The you can reveal on air no fair enough. No I've never travelled to the Middle EAST at all the furthest. I've gone that ways the pretty much the eastern edge of Spain without going into too much trivia fact. I don't know if you ve ever mention this on the show before, but you and I are very old friends in- and you know this there's some countries that I'm not to travelling, as in the I'm sure, it would be glad to have me, but I don't think I would get out Some of those are some of those are middle eastern countries. So is one of them Saudi Arabia. Now I think I'm fine in Saudi Arabia is very: U S friendly

Molly Inclood, you mention Saudi Arabia, because that's one of the things were exploring today. You have probably heard of Saudi Arabia warp the kingdom of Saudi Arabia as its actually called we're gonna call d say had different parts in this podcast. It is one of most powerful countries in the Middle EAST. But that's weird because frankly, here in the west, we don't hear much about this kingdom either good news or bad news. Now ETA has to do with cultures. Here in the west of at least the media that available to us. It might show us very different things about what occurs over there, You know western versus middle Eastern, let's say culture in general. It's over time has been represented, maybe let's say poorly on either side. Oh yes,

other. Oh, it agree, especially especially before the rise of secularism and then the later rise and Islamophobia. Those issues things here in the West wing you here just now, free, Saudi Arabia. Wait. What do you think of I think of deserts? I think of oil. I think of that reserves of oil and money, I think about drifting vehicles, drifting, because I've just seen so many videos of their own there's a huge culture of car stance has in Saudi Arabia, looks really cool. Also, the food looks great events like that. You, the food, does

It also think of Islam, because it's got some of the holiest sites in all of Islam. Gather Cabal, considered the holiest site are followed by the profits mosque and that this is the holy size also refer to. As the cube. It's a building at the centre of the most sacred mosque in MECCA, Gabby, Kebab, a cube structure. That is the thing you may have seen in videos on the internet, where there are seas of people moving in a counter clockwise position around it Ray it's part of one of the rituals for the harsh and yet the the people making this pilgrimage Rhine a total of seven times counterclockwise the first three times at a faster pace, four times closer at a slower pace, and that's that's one of the ritual sides. It's meant to demonstrate the unity of the believers in the worst.

Of God, as they move in harmony around this. It's amazing to watch it is. It is amazing, into powerful thing we generally here in the West are not gonna, hear too much about Saudi Arabia, which is why I am very interested to hear what automatically pops in someone's mine if they are not, the Middle EAST or they are not muslim right. Oh, I want to know what occurs to people as I thought of the law, the same things you know, while the empty quarter, strict, anti desert ready and I think of the very specific dress, the people have the absence of dress the food we eat something very strange. It's happening in modern Saudi Arabia, as we record this and to bring us to the present moment, we're going to need a to walk through the past a little bit, so I'm actually

so I'm actually I'm actually wearing. My wild stallions shirt from bill intends excellent adventure. Yeah, you know it's maintained its color better than I expected that it would take until he s don't believe me, it's under my sweater here he actually is where Jean Paul, while W. Why L de it's real, you guys thought I was Messroom had to pull a superman you had to shirts on top of it buddy I wear layers, it is very cold outside today, I also just said body, and I know I should add that as our society, no, we I've had met no, and I have had an going conversation about whether or not calling someone buddy is condescend and it's ok. I think it's great. I like buddy, I called you buddy link years ago- and you told me not to- and you said my dogs name- is body that is true. Did I say no

you you got it down. I know you, I will know more body than pal arrived Bugger route yeah no way let us now. Let us know if you think buddy is condescending. I ever saw injured. Calls me buddy, I'm not gonna take. It is fighting words you know what I mean agreed agreed? So let's go back in time, yes to look at the history of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. How did you get here? Can we get a time? Travel you, ah, oh, that less, but always yes! Well! Luckily, we made it. We made it met here. We are the land that will later become known, as the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has an ancient history and we're we're here when the first signs of human habitation are in in full swing if we are relying on far flung future research there,

puts us around ninety thousand years ago, because in our modern age, that's the first sign of humanity in in this area, and I take it- you see a guy whose given us the finger. Yet as you do don't be salty, it's just a finger in his culture. He doesn't know that what it means to our understood, but it turns out Thus later future archaeologist are going too far a piece of that middle finger. He's wagon as wow. That's really cool. He just had a bubu. He had used her. Perhaps he wanted us to be part of history that that middle finger segment is later going to be found in our key logical site called toss out. Gotta close to a north western city called timer this.

Means for the experts that humans could have been living in the area. A long long time ago you can read some different claims. That claims that you read in the West are gonna differ from the claims you read in Saudi Arabia or in Arabic, literature. Other than that happens. That happens pretty often you'll see. Some of the same differences are different conclusion different conclusions. When you look research by chinese institutions about ancient China verses western institutions. There are at least, as we heard now, who travel through time, we're predating long by a wide margin there are they're gonna, be at least thirteen ancient pre islamic towns will later be found this area, though right now, as you and I

any here in the ancient past. Her probably gonna, be several more. There are still loss to time. So, let's fast forward to the seventh century. Now, that's when we're talking about Saudi Arabia becoming the global seat of Islam and, like we said it, it just has inside of it some the holiest sites in all their religion, and we get a little bit further pass the seventh century. We're going actually a lot further, where we're going home, we're going to the twenty Onest century, man that's, fasten adjust that may never expected Renault in nineteen, thirty, when Saudi Arabia, as we know it begins to coalesce when Abdul as

I'll, sowed, founded the state itself room and let's go ahead forward to the modern day since we're here to day the kingdom occupies a unique space in the world of geopolitics. It is both home to one of the world's most prominent religions, and it is also home to one of the world's richest sources of oil and it's full of people who lives here. Ok, there are a lot as right now there are over twenty seven million human beings living there. That is around. Twenty three million saudi nationals and eight point for non saudi nationals about fifty one percent of the population is under the age of twenty five, so over half under twenty five, and that that's detested is, as a February, two thousand twelve. Yes,

it is a little older, but it's the most reliable data we can find at the time now up until the nineteenth still a lot of the population in Saudi Arabia was nomadic orally semi nomadic so of a lot more movement in the culture of those families. Then just you know getting to one place and staying right this. This comes from a sort of a bedouin, the russian gas and now the massive economic growth that Saudi Arabia has meaning Syrian, seeing over these past few decades really has changed the culture like crazy, more than ninety five percent of the population is now settled. So a lot of this move a lot of money. I guess that becomes generated over these past few decades allows people to stay in one place rather than having to move too. You know chase wherever resource steer.

Trying to chase, and eighty percent of Saudis live in ten major urban centres. This this sounds like a crazy statistic. Just that rate of change yeah bites. Saudi Arabia is not alone by any means, and this I think it was just in the past like nine years or something since we ve been working together that the majority of the world's population began to live in urban centres, metropolitan areas, the rule lands are being as a huge brain drain going on strange it strange, but it makes it makes sense. That's why it's not as weird

rate of change may sound here. The phenomenon itself is not by any means unique to Saudi Arabia. Most most Saudi Arabia's are ethnically considered Arabs and the majority of those are tribal, considered Bedouin. So many Arabs from nearby countries are employed in the kingdom up, particularly people from Egypt, see my identify yourself as an era, but not saudi arabian end. You travel to Saudi Arabia, problem Those ten major urban centres in sea, in search of employment, right yeah and another thing you ve done in Saudi Arabia, large numbers of expatriates people who have come from other countries from India Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines and real Lee because of the upheavals occurring. On the world, Syria and Yemen right

and note in the nineteen seventeen and nineteen eightys, there was a pretty large community of south korean migrant laborers. There were numbering in hundreds of thousands, but most have sense, returned home other than that There are more than a hundred thousand westerners living in Saudi Arabia, most of whom live in private compounds. That must be an interesting life yeah yeah. I wonder what life is like there, because you know a lot of people move their forbids.

Listen. They bring their family along in some of our friends. Colleagues and Co. Workers have also been new, been traveling, kids and lived in need lived in these compounds, Gandhi, International schools- and if you have had this experience, then we would love to hear from you as well. You can write to us at conspiracy, a house of words dot com. So here we are managing. Oh boy, yeah, our religion hurried to make no bones about it. Saudi Arabia is a strict theocracy governed by the house of sowed otherwise referred to as these sowed family. They practice. Sunni Islam, not sheer Sunni Islam, that is the official state,

religion and for a long long time, Saudi Arabia's dominant faith has been a type of Islam known as well hobbism. This is an austere form of the religion that insist upon a literal interpretation of the Koran. Now that might sound a bit strange to some people because they would say well, the Koran is interpreted literally by other people as well. This. This is a little bit different, because strict lobbies believe all those who do not practice, not only Islam, there form of the religion are heathens and enemies, and before anybody decides to cast a stone, let us consider that the majority of religions that have different dumb denominations have at least a couple.

They say the same thing they re like there's some extreme christian sex who argue the same thing if it's not our brand of Christianity then it might as well be Satanism way. I knew specifically if you dont, interpret our holy text literally and would be words that are being said at least as interpreted and inscribed from the languages they originate. Then you are doing the right thing and I have been of a part of something kind of like that, at least in a belief structure of my own creation earlier, Are you and I call yeah we're cool now? I think I'm cool now, I'm all right. This minute, alcohol I'm not in those balls in his. You know what these ok, all right. That's like you were on the fence. Just for a moment. I have recently taken a step. Their animals into right will mean not currently wants to see. Really I,

he's got his school. The only people that are in are the ones that I can see in this present moment. So is that is that one the talents of white literally. See you you don't exist? I thought it's the best. We really conflict. We don't understand well speaking, fantastic sideways critics argue that the rigidity of this particular interpretation of Islam has led it to misinterpret and distort the the practices and platforms. This region of the Koran which seems counter intuitive, because one would think that a literal interpretation would be possible closest to what the author, the prophet Mohammed, originally meant ripe, unless of course, they were right.

Metaphor, that's it! That's a whole other bag. Badgers up we can. We can reach out to some of our friends who research the evolution of a religion itself, a controversial term. Understand to get a little more insight on that, but these critics would typically point to religious extremists such as some have been login or the Taliban and the explosive growth of this. I this concept, this denomination, The lack of a better turn began in the nineteen seventys when saudi charities started funding, schools or mud, dresses and mosque all across the world, from Islam about all the way out to cover city California, so they took a global ripe and critics will also further further add harbour further attempt to drive thereof

Jens Holm by noting that factions of Saudi Arabia's elite have participated in an funded tat, restore religious extreme. Mr paramilitary operations around the world, whatever you want to call it Aging, religiously motivated proxy war or something dressed as a religious war. In a lot of times, those funds get channeled through the charities by the de what they would call the Elite Van radios elite, and then I go to various places and we're we're we're talking about some disturbing stuff here and a lot of it is stuff that people have heard on some level before, but we're in away we're Norway, saying that the the actual p or individuals in this region are in any way different from you. If it from your friends listening we're we're, say we're talking about the institutions

absolutely organizations, and we're going continue with some cultural issues that are being dealt with in the chaos ay and have having dealt with for a long time in their pretty dark we're gonna get into them. Read after a quick word from our sponsor this episode of stuff, they don't want you to know is brought to you by now hey? You guys, I'm sitting here. Looking at my wife's native deodorant that she loves it. Is Africa caught and White peach she uses this thing every day, she's tried a ton of different deodorants, and this is the only one that she says works for her, because it's a When I'm free, it's baking, soda free and it doesn't irritate her arms and it smells great because Odorants with aluminum can actually form like these plugs that clog up your sweat lands to keep you from sweating doesnt seem

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Pack join now and save that to twenty five percent off your first year, just gotta, lifelike telecoms, last conspiracy, that's lifelong dot com, slash conspiracy for twenty five percent off we're back thanks for providing that breath of fresh air mad because we are diving into one of these things that I am convinced, moose, Westerners appeared of, is the even if you're not very familiar with Saudi Arabia in general. That is, human trafficking. Exploitative employment right, we'll be would be one way to phrase it, but what it is practice is de facto slavery. Saudi Arabia has huge problems with human trafficking, primarily in the field of migrant labour and

again? This is not just Saudi Arabia. This this encompasses, this problem encompasses the glue Gulf states in general. The global sleep the index estimates that over ninety two thousand people are currently enslaved in Saudi Arabia, while near and there there are two ways two primary avenues here: construction workers, held in debt bondage. You you, your employer, has your passport controls or visa they bring you to Saudi Arabia, move. You know the hopes of in reach, enriching your life and perhaps the lives of your families and you then o them. They have to recoup their expenses on the plane ticket, but then surprise after the expenses on your food, we're lodging

be horrible in their interest and there's no, you know, there's no such thing as OSHA, which is the organisation here in the United States. That is meant to enforce workplace safety. Ah, I said there'd be interests and we got a listener male long time ago and it'll research fairly. There would not be interest and I'd on those loans. It. Guess yeah, there's a gift thing that functions like interests but is not usually. The other. The other avenue of this de facto enslavement will be the idea of, hold servants, primarily from some of the countries mentioned earlier. These will primarily be women from Indonesia, the Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh for longer,

There is an ongoing epidemic of abuse here on the rapes and assaults are largely at least in the past, have largely been supported by these state level. Interpretation Islam, which hinges upon this argument that you can't sitter some women as things quote, your right hand possesses and that's been interpreted as slaves. Most immediately sanctioned sex slaves. So the idea that you are Pain, someone to be a live in

made or a babysitter or something here just sounds like a job right, but there it has become conflated with concubines and slavery, and this is of course, completely non consensual on the parts of people who thought there would be hired to have a job near image. It should be said here that the United States has, for various stated reasons, sometimes speculated reasons failed in the opinion of, I think the global community to push for any kind of human rights and the Gulf States and in general or particular in Saudi Arabia. Yeah. The United States has a heart breaking just

I'm laughing out and helplessness. Absolutely disgusting record when it comes to any kind of advocacy for human rights in the Middle EAST across the board. From four or mine all the way up through George Syria Cetera, is just that the Middle EAST in general baby for one reason or another and lot knocking the individuals in the state department. Of course, I'm saying that U S! Policies have not prioritized the importance of your gender equality or human rights as too near the degree that other people would expect the world's police force to do. If that's what the? U S purports itself to be The move on speaking have rights. What about people who are citizens? What about people who were born there?

who were born there, their native land and they're, not migrant labour, they not suffering under this abuse system. One of the biggest issues is the concept of equality for women, historically Saudi Arabia, and very very, very difficult place, to be a woman, the genders, our sharply segregated and obviously Saudi Arabia is not currently the kind of place that would engage in gender fluidity. No you're, not gonna, find a unisex bathroom know it too. Very black and white situation your man or your woman and into fairly recently, women

were not allowed to do things like vote or dry or go somewhere on a company pursue higher education and so on. That appears to be changing and dug just to some background before we get to and the geopolitics here. Saudi Arabia has a lot of economic heft, and based on fossil fuels is home to the world's most valuable company hermia. How that's? How many people can see that Well, not apple, have what it's called Saudi Aramco. It's an oil company is responsible for the production of the kingdoms, fossil fuel exports- And this energy- let's call it behemoth its value. That anywhere. This is a large range here anywhere from one point to two ten trillion dollars. Well, that's a large valuation

and it's because the amount of oil that has existed underneath Saudi Arabia, that's accessible for a drill, and for export and for decades and this this company sorry Aramco controls it pretty much. All of it. You, one of my old professors used to is bit of a partisan he used to call on. He would say that Saudi Arabia is the most cantankerous member of OPEC, and you said the he said that the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting companies any said that OPEC only exist to make oral more expensive and to restrict the flu

of it- and I thought well, that's kind of since it cynical like I do. You know I would love to hear your opinion on OPEC as well. Folks and speaking of this interaction. Here we do you talk about arms deals, we did not like those arms deals coming in and out of Saudi Arabia in the United States, like the sell weapons sure to Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, cut a like, sank and buried very important legal and astrogation, because Saudi Arabia threatened not to go through with a military hardware deal if they continued investigating yeah- and you know would you say in here by you, bring in a lot of weapons, military greed, weapon from countries that respect

lies in developing these weapons. You can do them what you please, and if you need to sell them, there's another good source of income, just ain't, and this leads to relationships with other countries, which is something we could exist links in a different episode, indifferent show. So as the sea again of holy site in Islam, and as one of the world's most influential petrol exporters. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia swings far above its weight class and the world of geopolitics, the elite. Of the United States in the ruling. Try above we, the House of South, have a law running very close and often call virtual relationship. Does the? U S, provide support on everything from infrastructure or to military might ends saudi beer and the United States. At least factions of the south,

maybe in ITALY and factions of the. U S really have been thickest thieves ever since Nixon sold them on the petrodollar, and it feels very strange You even say this but salutary, has a problem there. Let's say their new taurus for using the wealth and power. That is that it's gotten to prevent the elites among its people from meeting justice for crimes abroad. So if there are in another country- and they do something- let's say- let's say something like theft or maybe they're smuggling or some kind of abuse occurs, and physical or sexual abuse. Even let's face one of the elites kill. Somebody in another country they can get away. It goes beyond what we would imagine as diplomatic immunity, it's because of the power

in a very real sense? These individuals are considered above the law and you can read numerous accounts, as said of each of those com is being committed in the person committed them not ever seen. Justice in one, they in the country which they committed the crime. And, of course, we do have to add. A grain of saltier is appalling, All that we are only hearing western propaganda or only hearing one side of the story? Absolutely that's why? Yes, that's what I feel so strange to say it, because you know that the elite, at least from this country, have a certain amount of that. Probably I mean Is that all western propaganda doormat? is it: is it Paul its power

so there is Barcelona, it's not a plausible agreed, it's not plausible. They couldn't be that there cannot be that many reports from South EAST Asia to engineer to the United States, even untrue, Beverly Hills. So, you can even see videos Sally Elites, doing abuse like horrible things to what I guess they would call their their workers p the ozone layer, Ryanair has s yes, yes, you can see it in nothing, occurs, nothing happens and it just how now it's like you said heartbreaking so again would be cartoonish Leah, unfair for us to say this applies to every single member in this field. As a Willie, every family has a has a couple of Euro

the family as a couple, a jerk, and just because someone has the happens to be higher on whatever, whatever temporary hierarchy exist in society at the time, that doesn't mean that there are good or bad people there. Just there just people whose parents make different choices so Who takes a charge here right this is very, is very family based ripe, similar to the democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea, Saudi Arabia is. Absolutely ruled by a single family in a close relations in this means no, stuff. Irritates me man. This means that if you were born. As someone who is on the outside of this hierarchy, even if you are a sound, Raby National, even your brilliant, even if your brilliant than you

ass, if you or the saudi Arabian Elon Musk and you are not a member of this single family you have virtually no chance of succeeding in government, regardless of your abilities, you're just born long and as a result, ministerial positions very powerful ones are assigned based on who has been the most successful currying favour in court, and this brings us to we said things are getting a crazy. They did. This brings us close to that point, others, someone very important that we want to tell you about after a word from our sponsor: hey, I'm Andy. If you don't know me, it's probably because I'm not famous, but I did start immense grooming company called Harry's. The idea for Harry's came out of a frustrating experience. I had buying razor blades. Most brands were overpriced over designed and out of touch at Harry's. Our approaches simple cures, our secret

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you and then put his hands up and say no foul, no foul with Geico it's easy to switch. Save on car insurance. No the vacant fake, an ankle sprain because you're absolutely exhausted, so which is safe with back it's almost better than sports. Friends and neighbors. Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to introduce you to Mohammed, been salmon being Abdul Z, I'll sowed, guess yeah. He recently became the crown prince the kingdom of Saudi Arabia effectively, because. Mean the power behind the throne

At the time of our recording he's thirty, two years old, he became crown prince on June twenty first of twenty seventeen, but wait Ben. You might be saying, but wait Matt hold your horses, isn't they're supposed to be a king, a Saudi Arabia, yes, but he is not making the calls the way that the crown princess now use older at this point and the crown prince, is just taking the reins of power. Central. The current king Solomon been Abdul Aziz, I'll sowed. He has been the king since twenty fifteen. I his his major initiatives, include some progressive things and then some dangerous things. I hear

the one who made the call to intervene in the civil war in Yemen. I he also is the one who is technically responsible for the decree and twenty seventeen allowing women to drive in the country, but back the crown Prince Mohammed been salmon whose making all of these comments and win in Arabic. When you hear been its B. I n and it's like son off. So it's really Mohammed son of Salmon, son of Abdullah Zis Alsace. I saw his ascension power. Mohammed been Solomon, was accompanied by the typical trappings of any state power transfer you hear about it in elections in the United States. Even if it's just a state represents every city, council member someone's like

oh I'm, gonna change. Things sounds good from a podium resuming a better life for the citizens. They are the ones who live here in pay. The taxes are eleven right, yet not any. From out of country right. I love the idea of somebody making these grandiose speeches for local office later as City trawler yeah, I'm gonna, who is every rejoining the swamp in the car patrolling swamp, a better life for citizens more, passive stance towards energy economics. He said a modernize culture and so on all good things stay here right, even better if they actually come true, it's the standard fare of out of newly emerging politicians, dictators and rulers, but Mohammed Solomon was a little bit different. He could not hear me said this already

He did not consider Saudi Arabia, normal country any had not concerted a normal country for at least three decades, and he said he did not come to continue business as usual, which we, of course everybody says when the warning that elected or If people are unhappy with the current the venom right, then I'm different rates. Instead, he said he we need to re, make saudi arabian society in its entirety and as we record this, that's exactly what he is trying to do. Here's where it gets crazy. Well, it turns out prince? Wasn't just laying down some of their pillow talk. Blown a little bit of those smoke rings, torture towards all of us. In these people at the end of timber, twenty seventeen. He started taking some pretty brutal actions to consolidate power for himself the

the combination of this process that kicked into full gear in June, when he officially became the crown prince. It's been in no uncertain terms, the combination of well what we would say a real conspiracy. You know one of those things We don't it's not a theory right it is not its not. He planned included it inspired and secret to two. He were prob clean call it cleaning up the town had ever, but he took down a lot of people in this conspiracy as real world. Immediate. The for the canoe, Saudi Arabia and then allow

your middle eastern region and the globe. So what happened is rise to power is largely possible due to the death of the old guard, particularly the long serving ministers of foreign affairs defence in the interior themselves also princes, and he was able to do this because when they died, there was a power vacuum nurse fluidity in the upper echelons of government for years beforehand. Each of these princess kind of consolidated their own sphere of influence, and then you would have he's calcified Haitians re up into into fiefdoms low vertical little vertical, yeah and so mom had been summoned was on a mission essentially to soften some of the notorious Lee Puritanical, theological stances. That's already radio had held for a long time and he

pretty much he's made some genuine changes, especially in the field of gender equality. Right, that's exactly true, but this isn't entirely heroism terms. This conspiracy, there may be a dark side to it as well. It turns out he held several in areas hostage, yeah yeah. I know something weird opener, but it's as part of his vision for Saudi Arabia, up been Solomon, arrested. First, he rested in saudi princes in November. This is unprecedented. All caps bear those letters, full stop kind of on the level of the commission, the vice President who, at the time we are in the studio today. The vice president is MIKE pants. Imagine if one day that I just said you know what

arresting unilaterally multiple members of Congress. All these senators, you you you, you you get tee to the Ritz Carlton because we're dead right, ashes, Zelman did yeah, kicked out all the paying customers of Israel? in early most of them, I think all of them and he put these people in their their families in the Ritz Carlton. And what did he down the lot of the or grounded alot of the private aircraft? Yet so that people could not escape communication lines. Heights held them hostage. Essentially, we could call it arrested me out so more efficient, hey least, they read the Ritz. At least they were at the Ritz you and also, if you are just one of the people who who was there at the time, would you want to stay? I wouldn't want to be a bystander too that that's a very scary situation.

If they offered me the choice, and I knew what was going on? I would say you know thank you very much nice to meet everyone. I've got to do a holiday, here. Anyone who lives in Saudi Arabia is there a holiday in their anywhere. Let us know masonry out We just want to go to a hotel where we won't be standards. Mass arrests of so one of the people that was arrested was gaining is again in print I'll Walid, been to allow one of the richest individuals in the world when the richest man in the world. He controls investment, firm kingdom Holding and he owns were has over his career, owned major states and twenty first Century Fox city

group apple Twitter. Many many other companies that you have heard about add nausea. Additionally, he controls media outlets, e control, satellite television networks that are huge across the arabic speaking world. All in all, more than two hundred people were arrested in what was framed as a crackdown on corruption. Have you Jimmy that is a nice framing really is that, according to the authorities, they conducted a huge sweeping probe, they got everybody and he found east, one hundred billion dollars had been misuse through embezzlement and corruption over the past three decades over seventeen hundred bank accounts were frozen. Seventeen hundred they are all being apparently use this personal accounts, and these were not business accounts These are just individuals, embezzling money. According to the authorities right

right and all in all fighting corruption is a good thing right. It is let's go back to our cultural or example. You wanna power, madcap trawler, taking all the cop trolling money he's got older, acting PS reports in order tape outrages, I think, destroy our words. Vigour wipe big, be increasingly obvious that neither us knows exactly what captures do. There's a lot of printer paper involves maybe no excel. Spreadsheets he's in charge of the Ex the Microsoft Excel serial numbers. That's what it. So none of its employees, log in unless he allows them to. I feel like you're improvising. This oh wait. Wait you re picked up the effectively the chief financial officer of a public body. Here you know

the whole. Where I apologize me and I'm sorry ever doubted you no problem. Those that my dad was an account was your control no use controller, though He didn't have the cop, he didn't have the cab well may have to walk away from this controller, say: ok, but but It is true that corruption is not desirable, release culturally. It's it's considered undesirable here in the west, but here's the problem we go we the three different. Let's Saudi Arabia is an executive monarchy, and this means that it, does not possess written constitution. It does have independent government institutions like a parliament or courts in yes, of course. Of course, we know that a lot

these so called independent government institutions in countries across the world are independent on paper. Writing. Likely the legislative body of North Korea is independent on paper strew, I ve there's a difference to paper and practices. Say yes, but accusations of corruption or difficult to evaluate when even in theory, these institutions would be evaluating. This are not in any shape fashion, reform, independent and the boundaries between what would be conserved public finds one would be The wealth of the royal family are pretty murky and corruption. The way that many other countries would describe it is believed to be met

ugly, widespread you like in the young in the United Kingdom. There is the personal wealth of the monarch, whoever happens to be in charge of that tribal system at that time, and then there's the wealth of the crown which a sort of the office that a monarch holes again entirely entirely based on who their parents were in no way based on any qualifications. Saying that their unqualified to be a model I'm saying that no one is qualified to be a monarch cause. It's a really stupid system, sick burn. Now, I'm just I gotta stop harping on that I once a year, I start Randy about how they might just

that I'm not an emperor of solving these principles and freedoms, as is in crown kings, turned my nose if they think I think you would be a pretty. I think you'd be a pretty decent monarch of some sort met, all that's an awful thing to say, but I dont think you would be good dictator. I think you ll be good monarch, ok, yeah I mean I could totally open doors, walk out. You know, look at my subjects and go here here. I my I subjects everyone will be enjoying and Coca COLA Classic. Today, sugar. We are you where is your monarchy have sponsor sharply? Does yes, there, we girls very, very forward. Thinking of you. And yet this robot was brought to you by Coca COLA. I you know why I'm kind of India this idea

I would vote for you oh no way, I'm not allowed to cause it's a monarchy yeah. I guess I receive a cellular sponsorship deal, but the you know, India, the line between my wealth as a monarch and the of the funds for my sponsors. It is pretty murky. It is working for him. You know. I have ever seen paper soda. What can I say so yeah, of course our I ll say It is true. Being a monarch is very demanding job, you are attempting to hold a disparate unions of people together and that's always always gonna be a tall order. I just think not choosing. I just think choosing people on some system other than merit is a terrible way to go about it and its tradition, and

traditions are not automatically correct, which is crazy, that slowly controversial statement and twenty eighteen, whatever Doha your family just consider family too controversial, then you're too. Hundreds it might so noble to call this movement, some kind of stuff, against the corruption that occurring in Saudi Arabia. There hasn't exists there decades, but the truth is the rest These particular rest seemed a centre right smack dab on the crown prince competitor we're talking about his rivals, his enemies, pretty much. Anybody who will who could be in line for the throne or have of money and influence to get in the way his way for whatever he wants to do. It appears to be this way, rights exactly and there's another hugely important fact here. Several of those people that were as Matt noted, shipped off to that writs Carlton arrest,

for corruption were released after they gave up massive amounts of cash or stocks or other assets. One business bear report Leah tens of millions of saudi reality that the currency withdrawn from his after he signed a release. Deal in another case of former senior official consented to hand were ownership of roughly one point: zero six billion dollars worth of shares. So so there is a question here is this: is this the crown prince Taking back money that belongs to the people than the state quite possibly, or is it the crown prince removing power yeah removing the financial power. Some more would have to rise up against him or raise raise their own faction

Also there I there is an ongoing war in Yemen. I think we mentioned briefly here earlier in the show Mohammed, then salmon is actively waging a proxy. In fighting iranian influence in a continual Iranian Saudi Arabia in conflict that predates his ascension, the? U S is morning this war, although you might not hear much about it, if you only two million to broadcast news, but then again, if you listen to this, show you probably don't only listen up here,

s news view especially might not have heard about it for quite a while, because of how many things are occurring. Geopolitically right now, it's kind of fallen by the wayside is awful, but is very real and people is very real and people are dying without much help been summoned by the way. Blames the nineteen seventy nine iranian revolution for sparking brutally strict state of saudi theocracy today. So in his mind, he is, he sees it as a reaction in seas. Those two events as inter related sizzle does the lay of the land, the current most powerful official other than the king in Saudi Arabia. In the current crown prince of Saudi Arabia is seeking to modernize the country says he's doing so, has taken steps to do so.

And arrested? Anyone who would be a threat and effectively seems to have effectively neutered them? What does this mean for the world We can make some gases at the end, but of course we would be remiss if we didn't mention the other conspiracies conspiracy theories that are present in Saudi Arabia. Uncultured say, and this could be its own episode, but running a little longer. Javier Solana just tell me about Saudi Arabia in IRAN so soon versus Sheer Islam. The same religion different different interpretations, and this is an argument that goes back a long time-

there's the religious conflict, but then there is also the desire to be the regional hedge, a man who both control both control, fossil fuels right and IRAN controls. Something called the strait of were moves which we mentioned previously, which is a vital water. Transit route more fossil fuels. Saudi Arabia has partnered with other countries to help restrict the influence of IRAN to two very influential countries. There would be the United States and Israel Saudi Arabia is very well. All known for starch public anti semitism but, as we said in previous episodes, take out with a green assault

because the stuff able was where we use performative. Yes, the performers speeches somebody might make to their domestic crowd might be way different when they actually young. They meet the Prime minister of the other country and there's us just stacks and stacks of cash available for deals, sure Their kids go to the same colleges and some time fingers on a hand as different, as you may think, and then met me a little bit about the global fear. We knew this was gonna come up, what's maybe even just as a teaser for Saudi Arabia and the attacks on September eleven. Two thousand one. Oh yeah, there's a lot of allegations that Saudi Arabia funds terrorism. As we said through those charities that have been set up and its Well, it's a known known that fifteen of the nineteen hijackers from the September eleventh

acts were from Saudi Arabia and their through handful of de classified documents, well, their loads of de documents that show the United States was actively investigating content. Between some of the hijackers in several individuals involved with the saudi arabian government at varying levels. And then we have a quote here from Fox NEWS of all places, who says quote The nine Eleven commission report found no evidence that the saudi government, as an institution or senior saudi officials individually funded the attacks outside of masterminded, but the commission also noted the likelihood that Howdy government, sponsored charities, did so one more time. So Woody government sponsored charities did oh come on so the government, at all the best Gee government didn't do it, but these government sponsored charities. Probably did that's what that state,

that's it. No money went out the front door. Yes, that's exactly there's a, but there was a backdoor there. There is a price back to been set up for a long time to send money to places that would do so. Doors, by the way, I'm different sides of the same building, we're just gonna: U S: visual Also, the missing twenty nine pages from that nine eleven commission report that was mentioned by the funds article it directly addresses, movement of saudi arabian government actors who were likely acting pretty much as their own factions like as there we can't vertical defrayed without the kings approval. So the king had no knowledge of a lot of this happening, but maybe these other little groups with power did evolved delve into that in future future episode, I think I'll need to be the triumvirate of us here, probably

harder Jim. I always a government actors will mean people who were affiliated with the government even if they were acting in their capacity. As you know, and ambitious turn a fish, yeah there's another one, though, that you had told me a little bit about which was the idea of controlling gas prices. Yes, where this is from a house of works Article or in a jump right in on April twenty fifth, twenty. Sixteen, then deputy Crown Prince Mohammed, been Solomon, announced. The implementation of this thing called vision. Twenty thirty in its this in this plan. The kingdom has that in the princes words would rid the country of its addiction to oil. Ben. You actually made a video on this. I believe we were now for housing. Weeks now. Did yes, oh wait. Yes, I did a lot of this comes directly from your words I forgot about smart. Yet it's it's a smart move, something that quite a few Gulf states are aiming to do or several gulf seater aiming to do

as we know alternative sources of energy collection distribution on a precipitous rise and in your lifetime. If you listen to this, the odds are the odds that you will have in an electric powered vehicles or solar powered infrastructure of some sort of arising. Precipitously, especially if you live in a country that didn't completely botch alternative energy, like the HU. I stayed in the eighties near I. The the idea here is is no was understandable. It's quite practical ripe gather, proclaims, interesting, so they're gonna Sab. Five races at stake in Saudi Aramco member that giant company little company darkness, I was valuable company is gonna, be a public offering an initial public offering an ip and a poor, alot, more funding into their public investment fund in its Gonna, make it one of the world's largest public investment funds and the third thing

do there's the dangers for the crown Prince is because he's gonna be unpopular just with the people, then that he, what you call it he controls he lords over he princes over the citizens, the citizens. Well, you the king, it was gonna, go areas. Government benefits because there is a there- are a lot of benefits to living in Saudi Arabia. If you're a citizen as a citizen, this eighty, you'll. Have you have a pretty solid job? Health care is taken care of their various other subsidies. They are going to save an estimated sixty one billion dollars per year. Doing this, but then

they're gonna have in a rise in I wanna see unemployment, but the moon. The government will need to find some kind of way to translate the skills these people already have in do business in government and create the jobs some after that many blights eyes. So, while this is happening, the prince also aims to raise not oil revenue, two hundred and sixty billion dollars by twenty twenty,

two hundred and sixty billion by twenty thirty. While that's a lot of money. Here's the problem two years ago in two thousand fifteen that number that supposed to be a hundred and sixty billion, was only forty three point: six billion, while oh, and also that you can see just issue how unpopular stuff can be. If you live in the: U S, then I'm sure you remember gas prices spiking in the passenger recently in Bali was January. Twenty seventeen gas prices in Saudi Arabia rose by one hundred and twenty seven percent, so the domestic population is beginning to feel the heat and will see if this again as executive on markets will see whether those government subsidies actually end and what the results would be if they do, and now we want to close with a question what what's likely

to me. It seems likely that unless there is an internal, domestic or financial catastrophe, Saudi Arabia may well be on the road to increasingly diversified economy. Maybe even a more moderate culture who that's that's optimism now or unfortunately, or as several other guess, pundits analysed and critics have suggested. Maybe this could just be some sort of western friendly dressing. You know like maybe they just dollar the little bit a rat, so go salad. This house, salad of despotism, leave it up with rich ranch was the most Americans Sal address naked. Think of it, I think you had better there were that and then it in Alaska. You know if they did not know that. Mr.

For my view, my opinion, you know, I'm I'm feeling a bit cynical about a lot of this, but I think I personally need to learn a little bit more about the situation rain. I think that maybe how a lot of people listening low you might feel that same way like I've before truly understanding this any to spend more time with it and then feel it out. But the cynic in me, the one it views the world pretty much the same way over says man. This is some rash dressing. Really, I'm surprised because I I think the well. Maybe this situation, where I am more optimist, I think it is. But again I think it's because you know a little bit more than I do and me seeing and on the surface. It feels like

I'm suspect of all this. I would love to hear from Saudi Arabia, national or someone who has spent time in the kingdom. Now, that's great up, please write to us less. No, we we are getting the signal here from our producers. Finally, we are going to have to call it a day. We know when a little bit long, but we do hope you enjoyed this episode again. This not a conspiracy theory. The crown prince worked clues secret and then did every day, which was just Europe think of the Untouchables we calving car is that where they would go in and arrest everybody and there have the Untouchables touch the crew right, the motley crew guys when their ptarmigan yea area, sue as you know, Matt no Paul and I consider

we specifically you the most important part of the show, and if you follow us on Twitter, Instagram orphan local read any other social media platform. You see that, Usually we reach out and ask you for the ideas that you would like to hear in the future. Well, going to pick it up, and I maybe we should say, go a little further down the rabbit whole a little deeper into the black mirror, absolutely safe. I reference we're starting a facebook group where we can all interact with each other directly and we'd, like your help, guys specifically listen to an episode and then wanted to go deeper down the rabbit hole, and maybe wisdom your finding somewhere, where other people who were going down their revenue with you could find it in and talk with those people about what you found will. This is what this new Facebook group is going to do for all of us in

including Ben and no one I you know I've I've been skeptical of Facebook groups in the past. You guys, but I actually was just invited to join when the other day by our illustrious graphic designer PAM Peacock here in the office and its called now playing and literally just a facebook group or people post pictures in them. Comments about the vinyl records are listening to totally up my alley. I love it it's in part of my life now, so this Be that thing for you and it will be for me for shirk, as has been to this as I am in listening to final record, so I'm excited to be party to Facebook groups. Excellent, I'm I'm pretty excited about being able to post further reading for shows that we do work for specifically people who were listening and really wanna get deeper, and in thing and who knows the stuff. We are taught you guys about on that. Facebook group could yield entire episodes or maybe even a whole side conversation in the form of some kind of spin.

Down the line, who knows so we're in the early stages of this were still figuring out a name. We like to hear your suggestions as a matter of fact, if you have to have a swell I, and if you would like to get involved, we're look for as Indiana Jones would say here. To paraphrase Indiana Jones top people right really give a top folks, only Only only the top the crime Ella Conspiracy, cram. If you would like to serve as a modern later for the Facebook group, we'd like to hear from you you can send us an email directly. We are conspiracy and how stuff works stuck

you're something good is a new shell from the Seneca women Podcast network, and I heart radio. Each day we aspire to bringing the Good NEWS, the silver lining, the glass half full, because there is good happening everywhere every day. We just need to look for and share. Here's something good is a short daily show that offers positive stories. Helpful suggestions and shared experiences to inform and inspire you every day Listen to hear something good. On the I hurt, radio, apple pie costs or wherever, your favorite chose subscribed. Now, I'm Danny Shapiro host of the head, podcast family secrets. I just launched a new package called the way we live now, our lives have been disrupted interrupted. But that does not mean that we can't reach one another in ways that are both powerful and intimate I'll talk with people across the great human tapestry. What's life like for you today,

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