Regarding this silly column here: 1) he acts like Saudi Arabia was a secular democracy until 1979 and the revolt in the Grand mosque. He times that as the beginning of his stint as a Middle East correspondent. Unbeknownst to this guy who does not read what he does not witness that Saudi Arabia was leading a reactionary fanatic camp against Arab progressive and communist forces for much of the Cold War. 2) He basically says that the progressive movement in Iran is led by the people while the progressive movement in Saudi Arabia is led by the...Prince. 3) he cites people he talks to among the entourage of the MbS as if modern and reform-minded Saudis necessary share the vision of the Crown Prince. But then again: this is Thomas Friedman.