Arab American scholar As'ad Abdukhalil studies the political and cultural enigma that Saudi presents to many Americans. He is essentially interested in the ambiguity created by this country which is both moderate yet reactionary, home to the world’s largest oil reservoirs yet also to Osama bin Laden. Through closely examining Saudi society, its history, religion and ethnic tribalism, as well as the shared interests, tensions and contradictions inherent in U.S.-Saudi relations, he offers a critical look at one of the world’s most repressive and fundamentalist nations.