How the Saudi king benefits from turbulent cleric’s execution

The decision to execute Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr may have been more of a warning to settle unrest within Saudi borders, than a message to Iran, writes Peter Van Buren

WHY did Saudi Arabia execute Shi’ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr now?

The Saudis have had Nimr in custody since 2012, sentencing him to death in 2014. The cleric has been a vocal critic of Saudi Arabia’s ruling royal family for years, going as far as threatening Shi’ite secession in the minority’s eastern homeland in 2009.