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How has Saudi Arabia's handling of dissidents and opposition groups impacted its standing on the world stage?

Alfred Ruperti

Dear friend,

I believe that Saudi Arabia's handling of dissidents and opposition groups has had a significant impact on its standing on the world stage. The country has faced criticism from human rights organizations and other countries for its treatment of dissidents and the lack of freedom of speech and assembly.

The crackdown on dissidents and opposition groups began in 2011 when Saudi Arabia sent troops to Bahrain to quell protests by the majority Shia population against the Sunni monarchy. The Saudi government also cracked down on its own Shia population, leading to protests and unrest in the eastern province.

In recent years, the crackdown on dissidents has intensified, with the detention of activists, journalists, and high-profile critics of the government, including women's rights activists. The government has been accused of using torture and other forms of mistreatment, including sexual harassment and assault, to extract confessions from detainees.

The killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018 further damaged the country's reputation on the world stage. Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government who was living in self-imposed exile in the United States, was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a Saudi hit squad. The killing was widely condemned by world leaders and human rights organizations, and the Saudi government was accused of ordering his assassination.

The handling of dissidents and opposition groups has also affected Saudi Arabia's relationships with other countries. In particular, the country's close relationship with the United States has been strained by concerns over human rights violations and the Khashoggi killing.

In conclusion, Saudi Arabia's handling of dissidents and opposition groups has had a negative impact on its standing on the world stage. The government's crackdown on dissent, including the detention and mistreatment of activists and journalists, as well as the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, has been widely condemned by world leaders and human rights organizations. The country's relationships with other countries have also been affected, with concerns over human rights violations leading to strained relationships with some of its traditional allies.