A Handbook Of The Al Sa Ud Ruling Family Of Saudi Arabia

Concentrates on the immediate issue of Ibn Saʼud (or, ʼAbdul ʼAziz).

The stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains critical to Western security and economic interests. This crucial study focuses on generation change and identifies individuals with greatest leadership potential; examines their political, social, and religious views.

The book's editor, political scientist Dr. Winberg Chai, provides in his introduction a concise overview of this largely unknown kingdom from its geography and history to its contemporary role in the war on terrorism. Saudi Arabia: A Modern Reader provides readers enough historical data and contemporary information about the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to understand their role in the Middle East and to form their own opinions about its present and future relationship to the United States.

'Clear-eyed and illuminating.' Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor 'A rich, superbly researched, balanced history of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.' General David Petraeus, former Commander U.S. Central Command and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency 'Destined to be the best single volume on the Kingdom.' Ambassador Chas Freeman, former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Assistant Secretary of Defense 'Should be prescribed reading for a new generation of political leaders.' Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of H.M. Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge. Something extraordinary is happening in Saudi Arabia. A traditional, tribal society once known for its lack of tolerance is rapidly implementing significant economic and social reforms. An army of foreign consultants is rewriting the social contract, King Salman has cracked down hard on corruption, and his dynamic though inexperienced son, the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, is promoting a more tolerant Islam. But is all this a new vision for Saudi Arabia or merely a mirage likely to dissolve into Iranian-style revolution? David Rundell - one of America's foremost experts on Saudi Arabia - explains how the country has been stable for so long, why it is less so today, and what is most likely to happen in the future. The book is based on the author's close contacts and intimate knowledge of the country where he spent 15 years living and working as a diplomat. Vision or Mirage demystifies one of the most powerful, but least understood, states in the Middle East and is essential reading for anyone interested in the power dynamics and politics of the Arab World.

In the evolutionary process of Saudi Arabia, the period beginning with the seventies marked by the 'oil revolution' can be described as the turning point. With this began a phase of consolidation and institutionalisation of the royal government. One important development having bearing on its nation building project has been the participation of the Royal Family members in economic activities of the country. Since the seventies, over the last three decades, it is clearly visible that the engagement of the Saudi Royal Family in economy and business has grown not only in volume but in form also. This study has attemped to look at the sprawling business activities of the Royal Family members, not merely as a profile but relate it to the evolutionary context. The first major study that examines the gradual process of emerging entrepreneurship in the Saudi Royal Family. It highlights the role of the royal entrepreneurs in the development of the Saudi private sector. The study shows that their investments have created a positive climate for the growth of entrepreneurship, especially productive entrepreneurship, on the Saudi business scene. An indispensable store-house of detailed account of the investments made by more that 600 royal members, including princesses in 1050 Saudi companies. Supported with 28 pages of index and 14 tables, this data-packed book is a bonanza for businessmen, diplomats, laymen, and all those interested in Saudi Arabia and its Royal Family. A must-have book that contains biographical and kinship details of the Aal Saud. The book is one of its kind and is fully based on firsthand local sources. Apart from numerous published sources in Arabic, the official gazette of the government of Saudi Arabis, Umm Al-Qura, has been extensively consulted.