Arab-American scholar and self-described "angry Arab" As'ad Abu Khalil delivered a scathing review of the Saudi Arabian government, namely the royal family, among other topics Wednesday night.
Many of the audience members in attendance sought "clarity on Saudi-USA relations," as expressed by Wharton professor emeritus Ervin Miller.
Hallmarking his recent publication, The Battle for Saudi Arabia: Royalty, Fundamentalism and Global Power, Abu Khalil chronicled the sphere of influence globally imposed on Arab, Western and Asian nations by the Saudi royal family through its media and publishing network, control of clerics and mosques, and financial sponsorship of past and present administrations, from Franklin Delano Roosevelt to George W. Bush.
Abu Khalil described the protectionism afforded the Saudi government despite its being "one of the worst violators of human rights worldwide," as it practices its own form of extreme fundamentalism -- Wahhabi.
This is exemplified as the government goes virtually unpunished by human rights watchdog groups such as the Carter Center, according to Abu Khalil.
In responding to the state of the Saudi-U.S. relations, Sociology professor emeritus Ann Miller and Ervin Miller said the relationship is "one of convenience -- a pragmatic arrangement."
Audience members seemed most interested in the Saudi-U.S. relationship and its impact on current Middle Eastern policy.
"I'm interested in the close ties with current and past Bush administrations," College senior Rachel Meadows said.
Abu Khalil also raised a contentious point concerning the Saudi support of Osama bin Laden.
Abu Khalil did not disappoint the approximately 40 people in attendance.
"Great event!" Political Science Ph.D. candidate Allen McDuffee said. McDuffee used the term "unending" to express the details that Abu Khalil is able to "unearth" that other respected experts "leave behind."
"Definitely interesting to hear his cynicism," said Alex Kudera, a Temple University English professor.
Abu Khalil is a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley. He has authored many books, including Bin Laden, Islam & America's New 'War on Terrorism,' and has appeared on Al-Jazeera, CNN and Politically Incorrect.
The event, sponsored by Penn's Middle East Center, was held in Logan Hall.
