Comment by lproven

> like the Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia

I have seen a critical analysis that sees the origin of Dune as a roman à clef of the rise of the house of Ibn Saud.

Arrakis is Saudi Arabia.

Spice, melange, is oil: the surrounding empire needs it for travel and transport.

House Atreides is the Saud dynasty, which defeated House Harkonnnen.