ABC.NET.AU – ELIZABETH JACKSON’S REPORT: Syria has again been in the headlines this weekend with yet more protesters shot after Friday prayers.
The EU has announced it'll impose sanctions against Syria and the UN has sent in teams of people.
One rather large and influential country in the Middle East is Saudi Arabia.
Its influence in the region is considerable and it's becoming increasingly nervous as its neighbours deal with these political uprisings.
Madawi Al Rasheed is a professor of social anthropology at Kings College in London.
I asked her about the influence of Saudi Arabia in the region.
MADAWI AL RASHEED: Saudi Arabia tries to project itself as a stabiliser, as a force that would stabilise the region, but this means that they interfere in a very big way in other countries' affairs.
For example in Bahrain now, we know that Saudi Arabia was the first country to seize the opportunity and move its troops. The same thing happened in Yemen. Saudi Arabia had always interfered in Yemen, and again, the problem is you have a neighbour that is extremely vulnerable and poor in Yemen and a very, very wealthy, economically strong state like that of Saudi Arabia and therefore it is very easy for Saudi Arabia to interfere in Yemeni affairs and also play political game with the various tribal groups and with the regime. (+ audio) » | Elizabeth Jackson | Sunday, May 08, 2011
