[a history buff]

Where to begin?

Iraq never was normal, not since the Brits created it. However, it was a secular dictatorship until after Gulf War 2. Iraq's long-time Prime Minister was a Catholic.

Most Sunnis disdain and ridicule the Wabahites.

The Beduin tradition, which prevails in the KSA, is that of leadership by the Pater Familias. Not even Iran is a de jure theocracy. Lots of young Saudis are less keen on strict versions of Islam.

[constitutiongirl]

The young Saudis are the ones causing alot of the trouble against the monarchy (alot like Iran in the early 70's). The vast Al Sa'ud family tends to get a free pass when they exhibit their 'degeneracy' and that forments discontent. One of the oddest things about Saudi is the fact that the more educated and 'middle-class' are the ones embracing the stricter forms of Islam. Wahabbism and Sunnism are completely joined at the hip, presenting the face of 'pure' Islam. The bedouins in Saudi are not numerous enough or politically powerful enough to make many ripples. As long as they have latitude to practice their own tribal laws (in the desert, out of sight of the officials) they could care less who is in charge. Iraq has a majority Shia and Shias think (according to their own writings) that Muslims should live under cleric-run theocracies. If you look at some of the early articles coming out of Iraq in the 60's, you'll see that many moderate Muslims and Christians thought that the Ba'ath party would help to quell Shia advancement. (I guess they didn't see little Nebucadnezzar II for what he really is). In order for anything even resembling stability to come to the region, the entire world-view and ideologies of millions of people must do a 180. I just don't think that it will happen in our lifetimes, if at all.