Global Dialogue Interview: Saudi Arabia ‘Vision or Mirage’ Author David Rundell

Saudi Arabia expert David Rundell is the author of a new book on Saudi Arabia, Vision or Mirage, Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads, which was released on September 17th 2020. 

The book is based on “the author’s close contacts and intimate knowledge of the country where he spent 15 years living and working as a diplomat. Vision or Mirage demystifies one of the most powerful, but least understood, states in the Middle East and is essential reading for anyone interested in the power dynamics and politics of the Arab World.”

Patrick Ryan, President of the Tennessee World Affairs Council, conducted an interview with Rundell on YouTube, in which the author discusses his work and experiences in the Kingdom.

The book has received accolades from top minds in the U.S. foreign policy community. Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, called the book “clear-eyed and illuminating” and General David Petraeus, former Commander U.S. Central Command and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, said the book was “a rich, superbly researched, balanced history of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.’

Rundell spent thirty years as a United States Foreign Service Officer. He was posted to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran. He served at various times chief of mission, deputy chief of mission, political counselor, economic counselor, and commercial counselor.

Click here to watch a Special Edition of Global Dialogue with David Rundell, author of “Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at a Crossroad.