While Saudi Arabia is genuinely angry with Canada, the central reason that it is freaking out at Ottawa is domestic in nature. Namely, Saudi crown prince and de facto Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman wants to show his domestic critics and skeptics that he will destroy challengers to his rule.

On paper, things look different. The current Saudi suspensions of trade and diplomacy with Canada and a growing Saudi anti-Canadian messaging effort make it seem like Saudi anger is simply about Canadian behavior. Riyadh blames the Canadian government’s call on Riyadh to release two feminist activists, Samar Badawi and Nassima al-Sadah.