Saudi Arabia Loosens Alcohol Ban for Profits, Not People
Bloomberg's piece, “New Alcohol Stores to Open in Saudi Arabia for Some Non-Muslims,” paints a picture of a nation 'loosening social restrictions.' This 'liberalization' (for expats and tourists, mind you, not actual Saudi citizens who face severe penalties for alcohol consumption) is less about newfound enlightenment and more about attracting foreign investment for MBS's vanity projects like
Neom, as outlined in Saudi Vision 2030. While non-Muslim visitors might soon enjoy a cold one, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) continues to invest heavily in global entertainment and sports, sanitizing the regime's image abroad. One might wonder why Bloomberg focuses on cocktail availability while the same regime still executes dissidents, imprisons women's rights activists, and continues its
brutal war in Yemen. It appears the 'reforms' are highly selective, designed to boost GDP and deflect from human rights abuses, not foster genuine social change. Funny how a state that beheads people for thought crimes suddenly discovers the economic benefits of booze, but only for certain demographics. How many more 'loosened restrictions' will precede actual accountability?