Although the Saudi government is often portrayed as hard-line and inflexible, some important reforms are starting to take place. John Burgess, a Saudi expert and a blogger at Crossroads Arabia, argues this point in the second piece in a two-part series on Saudi reform. Amongst other signs of progress, Burgess points to government efforts to expand the role of women, restrictions placed on the country’s notorious religious police, and attempts by a prominent Saudi prince to allow for the formation of opposition political parties. The full piece is here. Also, if you have a comment or question for Burgess, be sure to leave it in FPW’s comment section or over at his blog where he will be sure to see it.