At its centre is the historic alliance of one tribal dynasty, the al-Sauds, with austere Wahhabi Islam – a mutual endorsement of power. Oil transformed the kingdom’s fortunes, made the USA its ally for decades, gave the ruler massive power and wealth while religion kept strict social control over such things as the role of women and the media. The tension between power and religion, I thought, listening on Monday night, also keeps bright boys who want to challenge the west’s supremacy away from going into politics - and sends them to the mosque instead. That thought grew even stronger yesterday, listening to Aimen Dean.