Counterterrorism In Saudi Arabia

The U.S. gov¿t. considers the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a vital partner in combating terrorism. The strong diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, founded more than 70 years ago, was strained by the Al Qaeda attacks of September 11, 2001, that were carried out in large part by Saudi nationals and killed thousands of U.S. citizens. This report examined: (1) the U.S. gov¿t. strategy to collaborate with and assist the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to counter terrorism and terrorism financing; and (2) U.S. gov¿t. agencies' assessment of and the Saudi government's views on progress toward the goals of this strategy. It analyzed relevant U.S. and Saudi strategy, planning, and evaluation documents related to efforts since 2005. Illustrations.

This book is a comparative study of terrorism and counterterrorism in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. It explores the history and contemporary developments of terrorism, especially Islamist terrorism, in these two Sunni Muslim-majority countries. In doing so, it analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of governments’ policies, strategies, and models of counterterrorism, including terrorist rehabilitation and reintegration programs. In addition, the book also documents the opinions of Saudis and Indonesians to find societal voices on effective ways of combating violent extremism and discusses Saudi-Indonesian cooperation on counterterrorism, defense, and security issues. The book suggests that although particular Islamic texts, teachings, and discourses might influence radical behaviors and practices of some Muslim individuals and groupings, terrorism is beyond ideological, religious, and doctrinal issues. Therefore, multiple methods and strategies are needed to combat radicalism and create sustainable peace in society. The work will be is beneficial for both academic and non-academic communities, particularly students of conflict, violence, peacebuilding, and religious studies.

As jihadist extremism, and its manifestation as Al Qaeda, began to spread - even in the years before 9/11 - Saudi Arabia became a principal target. Jihadists identified the country as the first state against which they could mount a concerted effort to destabilise, undermine and subvert the authority of its central government and its ruling elites. This prompted the Saudis to take defensive initiatives which were to become widely recognised as an effective way to deal with extremism. The key element of the Saudi approach was to lace their hard confrontation of the extremists with subtle, soft mechanisms to undermine the will of actual and potential terrorists. The efforts ranged from interdiction of funding terrorist groups to the deployment of social and psychological pressures aimed at steering extremists away from their cause. This included welfare inducements whereby perpetrators were persuaded by material benefits - state support to families and individuals, housing allowances, educational opportunities - to abandon their political goals in favour of a return to family and society. This book charts the course of the Saudi terrorist rehabilitation programme and makes vital reading for all who, either directly or indirectly, have an interest in following the emergence of international terrorism.

The United States and Saudi Arabia work together on maintaining security in the Middle East. Despite the differences between the two countries, we both face the same terrorist enemies that seek our destruction in the post 9/11 era. Our counterterrorism cooperation with Saudi Arabia has increased. According to the Department of Treasury, the kingdom has made improvements in enforcing stringent banking rules that help stem the flow of money to terrorist groups through Saudi financial institutions. Saudi Arabia has launched aggressive military campaigns in Syria and Yemen, and while the kingdom has taken important steps since 9/11 to counter terrorism, it has some room to improve. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia still spends billions of dollars every year exporting the Wahhabi interpretation of Islam by building mosques and schools throughout the world. Wahhabism is a fundamentalist form of Islam that insists on a literal interpretation of the Quran. Its 18th century founder Abd al Wahhab in seeking to purify Islam taught that apostates- Christians and Jews and some Muslims-should be persecuted and in some cases killed.

Combating Terrorism describes the efforts made by the government of Saudi Arabia to combat terrorism with specific reference to the innovative three-pronged Saudi strategy that has been successfully implemented in the Saudi Arabia Kingdom. Asseri traces the problems around defining terrorism, highlighting the difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter, and goes on to a functional definition. He also discusses terrorism in practice and highlights its purposes and goals, defines it in its historical perspective, and concludes with terrorism practiced in the name of religion. The Islamic perspective on terrorism is examined, and Combating Terrorism outlines the abhorrence that Islam has for terrorist practices, the real meaning of jihad and the Islamic tradition of peaceful co-existence. Asseri elaborates on the root causes of terrorism with specific stress on the grievances of Muslims throughout the world. He then explains how the three-pronged Saudi strategy is practiced within its domestic, regional, and international dimensions. Combating Terrorism also offers some case studies on the Saudi strategy and contains some concluding remarks with regard to pursuit of a world free of terror.

In The Prince of Counterterrorism, Brookings Senior Fellow Bruce Riedel tells the story of Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef (MBN) and his contributions to the security of the kingdom and the Arab world. In the spring of 2015, King Salman removed his brother from the line of succession, and chose instead his nephew, MBN, as his heir. Riedel explains why this decision is critical for the U.S. as MBN has been America’s closest Saudi ally in the fight against terrorism, even helping to thwart attacks from al-Qaida on the U.S. However, while MBN’s leadership is critical in countering the growth of groups like al-Qaida and ISIS, Riedel shows why he is unlikely to support social reforms within the kingdom. THE BROOKINGS ESSAY: In the spirit of its commitment to high-quality, independent research, the Brookings Institution has commissioned works on major topics of public policy by distinguished authors, including Brookings scholars. The Brookings Essay is a multi-platform product aimed to engage readers in open dialogue and debate. The views expressed, however, are solely those of the author. Available in ebook only.