Jihad in Saudi Arabia Violence and Pan-Islamism since 1979 by Thomas Hegghammer (New York: Cambridge University Press. 2010. pbk. 290 pages.)

Abstract

The explosion of books and reports on violent Muslim extremism by Western
“terrorologists” and security institutes over the last ten years, should be
read with caution for their tendency to be ideologically and politically loaded.
However, Jihad in Saudi Arabia represents the more impartial, rigorous
end of the spectrum. Based upon the PhD of a fellow of the Norwegian Defense
Research Establishment, this work stands out as a significant contribution
to understanding transnational jihadist networks and their manifestation
in Saudi Arabia in the mid-2000s. The book sheds light on some of the
hidden dimensions of Al-Qaida’s presence in a place not usually connected
with violent radicalization. It addresses questions such as: “Why Saudi Arabia
has apparently produced so many militants?” “Has its government supported
violent groups?” “How strong a foothold do they have in the kingdom?”
“And why didn’t Bin Laden launch a campaign there before 2003?” ...