I would suggest that SWC look south for an indicator of what can be done with an apparently strongly entrenched government capable of suppressing internal and external dissent - I refer to the Republic of South Africa (RSA). Several factors undermined the RSA's strength: lack of external investment, internal demand for economic change (or growth), illegitimacy internally (notably within part of the white population) and externally. The list goes on.

What did the real world do? I exclude platitudes and UN "action".

Arms boycott (with holes), legislation reinforcing economic disinvestment (marked impact on internal debate in RSA), encouraging dialogue between businessmen and the ANC - which developed into politicians joining in. Low-profile, official dialogue between some Western governments with the ANC and internal dissidents.

Some of these steps will not apply to Saudi Arabia (KSA), or Eygpt. Nor will they work, e.g. Zimbabwe.

Many such options will now be seen as unthinkable - with KSA - and how would KSA react?

Not my area 'new' diplomacy, just some thoughts.

davidbfpo