4 cane strokes in his buttock.
Why so small? such a light punishment
Even if it was just one stroke, it will deter people from committing similar crimes in the future. It may be over in 2 minutes, but the severity of the punishment is enough to create a fear in the mind of the criminals.
Public strokes are not as much about inflicting fear, as it is not that hardcore to get hit in your bottom 4 times.
They seem more like a tool to disgrace a person, shatter his dignity and undermine the authority of his position.
I bet that Saudi diplomat will remember that episode for the rest of his life very vividly.