For decades, social and political change in this region lagged behind economic development. Why did the wealth generated by oil not result in a spreading of opportunities, such as broad public education, an opening up of public discourse, and most importantly, an expansion of educational and political opportunities for women? As indicated in the opening vignette, change is now underway across this region and is gaining momentum, but there are countervailing conservative forces that could inhibit political reform, social change, and economic development.