Something unexpected is going on in traditionally conservative Saudi Arabia.

Over the past few years, the kingdom has been announcing a loosening of social restrictions at a surprising rate.

Change is underway in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has lifted some restrictions on women traveling in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom.

The first stadium opens its doors to women in the Red Sea City of Jitter today.

That includes reopening movie theaters, opening up new professional opportunities for women, and hosting Western-style music festivals. What you say?

It's all part of a plan by the country's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,

to dramatically transform his country.

But this push only goes so far.

While dancing in Saudi Arabia might be in these days,

political dissent is still most definitely out.

I'm Gustavariano.

You're listening to the Times,

essential news from the LA Times.

It's Monday, January 16, 2023.

Today, are social reforms bringing meaningful change to Saudi Arabia?

We're just masking a leader's move to consolidate his political power.

Here to talk about the extent of the kingdom's makeovers is my L.A. Times colleague, foreign correspondent Nabi Bulos.

Nabi, welcome to the Times.

Thank you for having me.

So I saw that you went to Saudi Arabia at the end of this past year.

What did you do there?

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