Today's Wall Street Journal had an article about "why they stay." Mostly it has to do with work contracts that have very punitive clauses if the "guest worker" goes home early. I guess if you sup with the devil, you'd better use a really long spoon...
I had a colleague when I was out in Seattle many years ago who was lured into teaching for a year at the American University in Cairo. They told him that his salary would be tax free. After he got there, he learned that it was not tax free. Caveat emptor.
He said that he spent most of the academic year eating camel meat because that was all he could afford. Doubtfully true, but a good story, anyway.
If the Saudis can't see to the security of its workers, then let them drink their oil.
They've been teaching their people for generations that Westerners are evil, and deserving of death. They have believed they could keep teaching it while simultaneously depending on the West for its defense and prosperity. What a surprise that some of their people actually believe the propaganda they've been taught all their lives. They are in a philosophical blind alley and there is no easy way back.
We are going to discover what I have been saying. The Saudis need their oil far more than we do. A western pull-out will spark a revolution. From our perch in Baghdad we will have a grandstand seat.