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I have mixed feelings about this. The business of our embassies is to protect American citizens. But when an American marries a Saudi, she is basically deciding to give up these rights and privileges. We consider men and women to be equal, in theory at least. But traditionally when a woman marries a man she assumes the country, loyalties, and responsibilities of her husband, for better or worse. Consider the story of Ruth.

"But when an American marries a Saudi, she is basically deciding to give up these rights and privileges."</>

Sarah did not WILLINGLY marry. She was forced to by her father....the one that kidnapped and abused her. Giving up her rights and priviledges was decided FOR her, not by her.

Well, I'm not sure we should go global thermonuclear war w/ the Saudis over this, unless we're willing to do it for all abducted kids, when the abduction occurs.

Our Emabassies and Consulates are there (wherever there is :) for, among other things, the protection and support of US citizens, but expecting them to resolve domestic / international kidnapping issues such as this is a bit too much, I think, esp considering that there are other avenues for resolution (that yes, aren't working that well, I admit).

Interesting 2 links here - one, the official State site re: Marriage to Saudis, and another that purports to be the original version of it. Main diff I see is the section titled "The Myth of the Westernized Saudi".

State site

Middle East Quarterly site