Battle for the soul of the Saud family’s kingdom

I think Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world named after a single family? [Subsequent correction: More precisely: SA is one of two countries currently named for their ruling families, with the other being the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. (Same general point about the importance of “family” relations to politics and governance. But thanks to Jefferson for pointing this out.) ~HC.] And now, a battle “royal” is being waged in Saudi Arabia for the ear of King Abdullah ibn Abdul-Aziz– and indeed over the entire direction of the country’s policies.
On one side: Abdullah’s nephew the former ambassador to Washington Prince Bandar ibn Sultan ibn Abdul-Aziz– and presumably also Bandar’s father Crown Prince Sultan, Sultan’s other sons, and perhaps also most of Sultan’s full brothers from the “Sudairi” wife of the notable (very) late King Abdul-Aziz al-Saud.
On the other: another nephew, recently departed ambassador to Washington Prince Turki ibn Faisal ibn Abdul-Aziz, along with his brother the ailing Foreign Minister Prince Saud ibn Faisal, and other sons of the late King Faisal (but presumably not Faisal’s daughter Haifa who is married to Bandar.)
The core issue being disputed: should the Kingdom align itself with the US and Israel, in particular, in an attempt to roll back a large perceived expansion of Syrian and Iranian power in the region (the position that, reports from several experienced observers agree, is being espoused by Bandar’s group)? Or, should it continue to pursue the discreet alliance with Syria that has long been a hallmark of Saudi diplomacy while also continuing to, at the very least, pursue normal diplomatic relations with Iran (the position reportedly espoused by Turki’s group)?
It is this dispute, and a lot of related skulduggery by, in particular, Bandar that apparently lies behind Turki’s recent, extremely hasty departure from Washington.
After all, why should Turki, an experienced player in the world of international affairs, have abandoned his post in DC so very precipitously unless it was to attend to affairs of state of the most serious nature conceivable, back home in Riyadh?
That is, to battle over the ear of the monarch.
(Turki’s people had said, when he left town so fast back on Dec. 11, that it was “for family reasons.” Yes– but then “family” in that family-ruled country can mean a vast array of things.)
For many decades, back when he was Crown Prince– and even before that, as head of the Kingdom’s tribe-based National Guard– Abdullah was a key and faithful supporter of maintaining a good working relationship with the Asad family rulers of Syria.
For his part, Bandar has a long history– dating at least back to the days of the Reagan administration’s support of the Nicaraguan Contras– of working alongside US and Israeli intelligence operatives in pursuit of covert operations… And some recent reports say he is doing that again: working with, in particular, Dick Cheney and people in his (extremely pro-Israeli) entourage to support various operations aimed at undermining or even toppling the Asad regime in Syria.
Robin Wright has an article in today’s WaPo in which she reports that Bandar had been sneaking back into DC in recent weeks for secretive meetings with Cheney and his people– and doing so without telling his cousin, Turki, while Turki was still the ambassador here.
Not known right now: the degree to which King Abdullah knew of and supported Bandar’s goings-on.
In “normal” times the 82-year-old Abdullah would most likely have happily left the conduct of most of the Kingdom’s foreign affairs to his Foreign Minister, Prince Saud. But now is not normal times. Iraq is falling apart. Some figures in the Kingdom have been warning of a huge explosion of Iranian influence in the region– including also in the Kingdom’s eastern province, where there is large concentration of Shiites. Al-Qaeda, which threatens the Sauds from a very different direction indeed, has been able to re-group in significant pockets in Iraq, Pakistan, and elsewhere. Prince Saud has been reported as very sick. Cheney and his people have been eagerly whispering in Abdullah’s ear… And Crown Prince Sultan– who at 78 is no spring chicken, either– has also been eager to have his say.
More so than most states in today’s Middle East, “Saudi” Arabia has been a continuing construct of international diplomacy. So what is apparently happening there now is not only about whether Cheney and his Israeli friends will succeed in winning substantial support from the Kingdom in their plots and plans against Syria. It is not only– as some have thought— about whether the Kingdom intervenes robustly to prop up the Sunnis of Iraq. It is also, centrally, about the “soul” of the Saudi kingdom itself.

22 thoughts on “Battle for the soul of the Saud family’s kingdom”

  1. “I think Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world named after a single family? ”
    How about The Philipines? Then there was Rhodesia. There must be more, but I can’t think of them offhand.

  3. Doesn’t the White House’s reaching out to Hakim indicate coming not too long after Cheney’s visit with Abdullah a possible Saudi/Iranian accomodation re:Iraq as well there seems to have been before the demonstrations in Lebanon began a Saudi initative to head off a crisis?

  4. “I think Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world named after a single family? “
    I think Helena means in her statement that Al-Saud family ruled the kingdom as a family asset not “a nation” or “a country” they serving.
    Not at all, they ruled the people like slaves to them, any one should obey them on claims they are the Islam keeper they are the Grand Muslim leader around the world but the reality is if you go after each member of the royal family behaviours it tells you what lies under those claims.

  5. Following John C.’s point, Saudi Arabia is called that because it is the kingdom and private estate of the Saudi family, and in principle has no other identity. In that, it has only taken to extremes what is evidently true about Jordan and the Gulf Emirates, although they don’t say it. In reality of course the land mass that is Saudi Arabia does have a geographical and community identity; the Saudi regime just doesn’t formally recognize it.
    The point however to concentrate on in relation to Helena’s post, is the extremely strong reaction in the Sunni Arab world against the increasing political success of the Shi’a, both in Iraq and in Lebanon, a reaction which goes beyond reason. To speak of my personal experience, my Sunni Iraqi student raves against the Iranians. My Sunni Lebanese student also raves against the Iranians, although his wife is Shi’i. Accusations of Iranian intervention. The evidence of Iranian intervention is lacking.
    Evidently these sentiments are reflected in the statements of King Abdullah in Jordan, and Mubarak in Egypt.
    What is the reality, one has to ask. Money and arms to Hizbullah in Lebanon, obviously. Money and probably arms to SCIRI and perhaps others in Iraq. Aide to brother communities, certainly, a plan of domination, I don’t see the evidence. Can Iranian actions be described legitimately as more than defensive? I am sure that if the Iranian archives were ever to be opened, some aggressive plans would be discovered, as they were in the ex-Soviet Union. So far, in as far as one can interpret it, Iranian policy has not been aggressive.
    Nevertheless Sunni Arab reaction has been extremely strong, going beyond the necessary.
    In specific Arab countries, the effect will be different. In Saudi, because of the fear of the Shi’a in the Eastern Province, it is very difficult to take a pan-Arab point of view. If this means siding with the US and Israel, I would not be surprised.

  6. Countries named after someone… Philippines, Rhodesia….
    and the little one we always forget… America.

  9. I think you’re right, Helena.
    But if Niyazov hadn’t died this month, I believe it wouldn’t have been long before he renamed Turkmenistan Niyazovistan.

  11. there is a real threat. Islamic bomb?
    Woow John C, come down what’s happing to you?
    I hope you do not infect from some who believe in this.
    Do you think Musharaf have the keys for them? go back to the early days before the raid on Afghanistan there were some news said CIA/Israeli have took control of Nuclear control switches!!!
    So do not be motivated come down please, I hope you be wiser than that.

  13. Helena,
    Saudis have approved they robust family and they have from time to time some internal problems in all get on and continue their ruling.
    This family for decades ruling the kingdom when the king Abdulaziz issue royal order in 8 September 1932 to change the name to Arabia Saudi from that time till now they ruling despite some difference they survive along these decades.
    The other point here Helena Al-Saud with US support starting with the “meeting between Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz and then U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt aboard the cruiser USS Quincy at Great Bitter Lake in Egypt. These two visionary leaders forged an enduring relationship that has weathered many challenges from the Cold War to the terrorism we face today…”
    This relations it’s so strategic that both side enjoying the benefits.
    For Saudis their money from the petrol most of it invested in US and those in US share them the benefits which of course the elite of the country.
    Just last month a report about the Saudi student in US, that report said the number is three times more than before 2001!! This give you indication how the relation is, bear in mind those students either from the royal family or those close to the royal family, Judith Kipper, director of the Council on Foreign Relations Middle East Forum, said “ democratic change has gained a foothold in Saudi Arabia.” Which I believe reopen the doors for a new waves of students to USA.
    So whatever differences now I believe Saudis will solve them and comfortably and they move on.
    But the impressing thing, latest Saudi contract to buy Eurofighters scandal which rally went ugly and tells how Saudis have the power in Britton to stope legal authority from preceding the case!!
    Imagine what their effect inside US with the White House and other tope business groups.

  15. John C,
    Sorry I read it five years ago I did not have the link to that bit of news.
    BTW, the danger still their John look what Saudis telling Blair:
    The Saudis, key allies in the Middle East, have also threatened to cut intelligence co-operation with Britain over Al-Qaeda.
    What’s that mean? Are they still in contacts with OBL? Are they knew where he is and how he moves?
    Interesting some one threatens the west by OBL while we saw the damages this terrorist did to Islam and Muslim is far to be repaired in mean time…

  16. Jefferson,
    They are cut from the same cloth (or, more appropriately, filled with same manure). I refer to the ruling clans, not the people of course.

  17. They are cut from the same cloth (or, more appropriately, filled with same manure).
    But don’t forget many of you many of your states make money from their “( manure)” and kiss their “as….” for their money……
    Can you live and enjoy your life with their Trillions without them? A: NO
    But Arabs Can. YOU hates them BUT you kept them in power?

  18. شنت القوات البريطانية اليوم غارة على مقر لمديرية الجرائم الكبرى التابعة للشرطة العراقية في مدينة البصرة لاعتقال عناصر منشقة فيه نفذت عمليات اعتقال غير قانونية وحررت نحو 76 سجينا كانوا محتجزين في احد مقار المديرية.
    وسلمت القوات البريطانية قيادة شرطة البصرة المعتقلين في سجون مديرية الجرائم الكبرى فيما احتفظت ب 38 سجينا محكوما بالاعدام لتنفيذهم أو ضلوعهم بتفجيرات ارهابية شهدتها مدينة البصرة وفقا لما صرح به مسؤول امني في مديرية الجرائم الكبرى فضل عدم الكشف عن اسمه.
    وذكر مسؤول فى القوات البريطانية الميجر تشارلي باربريدج في تصريح صحفي اليوم ان أكثر من ألف جندي بريطاني شاركوا في الغارة وان الجنود البريطانيين لم يلقوا اي مقاومة تذكر وانهم لم يتعرضوا الى اي اذى وان العملية استهدفت تفكيك وحدة منشقة في مديرية الجرائم الخطرة التابعة للشرطة العراقية.
    http://www.aswathura.com/aswat1/details.asp?id=8424
    “We (then) used explosives to put the building beyond use so it can no longer be used by the criminal enterprise,” he said.
    Another British military spokesman, Major Charlie Burbridge, said a lot of the detainees had been found to have injuries “but we don’t know if it was torture at this stage”.
    http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-12-25T090945Z_01_L25129315_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-BASRA.xml
    وفي 19 سبتمبر (ايلول) الماضي، اقتحم جنود بريطانيون معسكر وحدة الجرائم المهمة بسيارات مصفحة، بعد ان قام مقاتلون باحتجاز اثنين من القوات الخاصة البريطانية. وتم اطلاق سراح الجنديين البريطانيين، اللذين كانا يقومان بمهمة سرية في ملابس مدنية، بعد مفاوضات. وتم الافراج عنهما في مكان آخر وليس في معسكر وحدة الجرائم المهمة، الذي لحقت به خسائر كبيرة، جراء عملية الاقتحام التي قامت بها القوات البريطانية.
    http://www.iraq-ina.com/showthis.php?type=1&tnid=4603
    Translation:
    In 19th last September Britt’s troops ceases two Britt’s SIS member caught in a secret mission dressing Iraqi and had explosives from the same Iraqi police building and free them

  19. Iranian Analysts Urge U.S.
    “Iran has a lot of interest to see Iraq is stable, territorial integrity of Iraq is intact, and there is a friendly government there,” Hadian says. “Thus, Iran is very much interested to see a stable Iraq, and in that regard, their interest is not different from the U.S.”
    “If the United States allows to have better ties or at least start strategic negotiation with Tehran,” Laylaz says, “absolutely, the opinion of Tehran about the United States will be better. And be sure that this is in benefit of the Islamic Republic of Iran to see a quiet and secular regime in Iraq.”

  20. “many of your states make money from their “( manure)” and kiss their “as….” for their money…… Can you live and enjoy your life with their Trillions without them? A: NO
    But Arabs Can. YOU hates them BUT you kept them in power?”
    Salah,
    You should start practicing thinking before talking (or typing rather)! You are again making assumptions about which you have no idea. You are assuming that I am … what I wonder? American? French? Israeli? Egyptian? Lebanese? Turk? Iranian? Pakistani? When you suddenly blow up and say nonsense like what I pasted above, you are acting irrational (and somewhat racist too).
    What I said was that those puppet monarchies are worthless …. who sell their own people. Well I don’t understand your position. Are you saying that you support them and they are not worthless traitors to their own people? Or are you saying that they are puppets and traitors, but if I am a Westerner I am not allowed to say so, even if it’s true? Or maybe I shouldn’t say it, because these are the 2 main “defences” that you have against the bad guys (Iranis and Shi’is) who are going about making their silly little crescent?
    I really don’t see your point. I think before resorting to anger in your responses, you should think a bit and see what/who you are defending, and is there any logic in what you have to say.

  21. David,
    Why not tell us “I am … what I wonder?”
    Please behave yourself.
    When your country destroyed in tow wars by US and you survive from them, , when your dreams and your life distorted and lost, when your complete family suffered and some of them killed for no reasons, when you lost your friends and your home your land forever specially if your home land have all the richness and the wealth that keep you live forever a quite comfortably, when you see your children and your kids save and inspire with their future on their home land disturbed and damaged forever….
    Then I would say come and talk here and see what your words will be…..
    My apology to Helena and all our friends here I take this far personal here…

  22. Salah,
    I agree with you on this one. Yes, you do make it too personal. I understand that you may feel personal about all this. But so may I, and many others. No one has a monopoly on heartbreak on these matters. And no one’s hardships or past experiences, yours or mine, gives them the license to make unfounded statements or insult others. You may express your pain if it helps you, or you think it helps the discourse. But it does not give you the excuse to say things that would not be allowed to say otherwise. Or insult others, like “Can you live and enjoy your life with their Trillions without them?” or “YOU hates them BUT you kept them in power?” I enjoy their trillions? I hate them? And I keep them in power? Who do you imagine you are you talking to, W ? Even if you were sure that I am American, or whatever, you were not allowed to say that. How do you know who I am and what I have done for your cause? Or anyone else? Or how do you know that I don’t suffer more than you for any of the injustices that you weep for? The answer is, you don’t. And you can’t. If I were an Iranian whose family had been destroyed in one of Iraq’s (Saddam’s would be more correct) chemical attacks on Iran in the 80s, with the dirty oil money of the Saudis and Gulf sheikhs, would that give me the license to come here and insult you, or a poster from Hijaz? After all it was your government, like it or not. The answer is NO. I would not be decent if I did so. I am sorry if I have to point this out, but in this space, when you talk to someone, you express an idea in response to their idea only; their “person” is irrelevant. They may be your neighbor, or live on the moon. The fact that you start your post by asking me to tell you who I am, and where from, shows that you don’t seem to have grasped this basic concept.
    All I ask of you is to not make unfounded statements, show a little more discretion on the links you post, and at all costs avoid making insulting statements. Be less angry and more logical; it will help your cause, which happens to be mine, I think. And using your words, “Please behave yourself.”

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