SAUDI ARABIA Individual Views of Commissioner Johnnie Moore The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, continues to reform, outpacing expectations. This is a categorical fact. The work remains substantially incomplete, but the trajectory is undeniable—the reforms are ongoing and often remarkable. Objectively—and obviously—Saudi Arabia is still a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, (without, for instance, a single public non-Islamic house of worship or pilgrimage site) but its progress must be measured against its past. I believe the international community should continue its positive reinforcement of the Crown Prince’s reform agenda. In fact, Saudi Arabia deserves much more credit for its reforms than it is receiving, rather than withering, politicized criticism. This is also why I continue to support the U.S. Department of State’s decision to maintain its waiver for Saudi Arabia. In fact, Saudi Arabia should be rewarded for its progress and not face threats of coercive action from the United States. Punitive measures will not speed the effect of change in the Kingdom; rather, they would complicate and likely slow it. A continued, strong relationship with the United States—contra malign actors—will likely accelerate change. It is clear that real change is possible. The change must continue and it can accelerate. 42 U S C I R F | A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 1