Saudi Arabia: Say the name Joshua Van Alstine in Saudi Arabia and the response is likely a blank stare. But mention his web-born persona, Abu Muteb, and chances are good you'll get a knowing nod or wry smile for the baby-faced American military brat. He slings Saudi-accented Arabic, wears traditional Gulf robes, mixes comedy and commentary and may be one of the Arab world's most improbable celebrities. The internet age is awash with tales of head-scratching stardom and viral oddities. Yet amid this modern mash-up, Van Alstine is a niche within a niche. He rode a wave of YouTube videos that were not even a blip at the college he attended near Dallas but were...
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