Saudi King Faisal

Saudi King Faisal: A Legacy of Modernization and Global Influence

Introduction:

King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The name itself evokes a potent image: a figurehead of immense power, a shrewd statesman, and a driving force behind Saudi Arabia's transformation into a global player. This post delves deep into the life and reign of this pivotal Saudi monarch, exploring his significant contributions to his nation and the world stage. We'll examine his domestic policies, his crucial role in shaping OPEC, his stance on Palestinian rights, and his lasting impact on Saudi Arabia's identity, providing a comprehensive look beyond the headlines.

H2: The Early Life and Rise to Power of King Faisal

Born in 1906, Faisal was the third son of Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. His early life was characterized by both privilege and the harsh realities of tribal life and warfare. He participated in many of his father's military campaigns, gaining valuable experience in leadership and statecraft. This formative period instilled in him a deep understanding of tribal dynamics and the complexities of governing a vast and diverse nation. He served in various government positions, proving his administrative capabilities and slowly ascending the ranks of power within the Saudi royal family. His meticulous approach to governance and his keen political insight set him apart.

H2: Domestic Policies and Modernization Under King Faisal

King Faisal’s reign (1964-1975) witnessed significant modernization in Saudi Arabia. He spearheaded crucial economic reforms, initiating ambitious infrastructure projects and focusing on developing the nation's oil reserves. This economic boom, fueled by rising global oil prices, allowed for massive investments in education, healthcare, and social welfare programs.

H3: Economic Transformation and Oil Revenue

Faisal understood the transformative power of oil revenue. While maintaining a strong emphasis on religious tradition, he shrewdly invested oil profits to build schools, hospitals, and roads, effectively laying the foundation for the modern Saudi state. He implemented policies designed to diversify the economy, though oil remained the dominant force.

H3: Social Reforms and Education

Despite the conservative nature of Saudi society, Faisal championed improvements in education. He invested heavily in establishing schools and universities, both domestically and abroad, recognizing education as a cornerstone of national progress. He also initiated programs aimed at improving healthcare access, though progress in women's rights remained limited compared to other aspects of modernization.


H2: King Faisal's Role in International Affairs and OPEC

King Faisal's impact extended far beyond Saudi Arabia's borders. His leadership within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) profoundly reshaped global energy politics.

H3: OPEC and the Oil Embargo

In response to Western support for Israel during the Yom Kippur War, Faisal played a pivotal role in orchestrating the 1973 oil embargo. This event demonstrated the power of OPEC and significantly impacted the global economy, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on the world stage. This bold move cemented Faisal's reputation as a decisive leader willing to utilize his nation's resources to achieve strategic goals.

H3: Palestinian Rights and Arab Unity

Faisal was a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and a vocal advocate for Arab unity. He provided substantial financial and political support to Palestinian liberation organizations and consistently championed their right to self-determination. His commitment to this cause reflected his deep religious beliefs and his strong sense of pan-Arab solidarity.


H2: Assassination and Lasting Legacy of King Faisal

Tragically, King Faisal was assassinated in 1975 by a nephew. His death marked a profound loss for Saudi Arabia and the international community. His reign, however, left an indelible mark on Saudi Arabia's development and its standing in the world.

H3: A Modernizing Monarch:

Faisal’s legacy is complex. While he prioritized modernization and economic development, he also upheld traditional values and religious conservatism. This balance, however challenging to navigate, shaped the unique trajectory of Saudi Arabia's development during and after his reign. His dedication to his nation and his impactful leadership continue to shape the modern Kingdom.


Conclusion:

King Faisal’s reign stands as a pivotal period in Saudi Arabian history. His astute political maneuvering, his commitment to modernization, and his influential role in international affairs cemented his place as one of the most significant figures of the 20th century. He left a legacy of progress and challenges, a complex tapestry woven from economic boom, social reforms, and a strong assertion of Saudi Arabia’s position on the world stage. Understanding King Faisal's life and leadership is key to understanding the modern Saudi Arabia we see today.


FAQs:

1. What were King Faisal's main achievements during his reign? His major achievements include the significant modernization of Saudi Arabia's infrastructure, the massive expansion of education and healthcare, and his shrewd management of oil revenues to fund national development. His leadership in OPEC also significantly impacted global energy politics.

2. How did King Faisal's religious beliefs influence his policies? His deep religious convictions guided his commitment to conservative social values, even while he pushed for significant modernization efforts. This delicate balance between tradition and progress defined much of his reign.

3. What was the impact of the 1973 oil embargo? The embargo demonstrated the power of OPEC and dramatically impacted the global economy, shifting the balance of power in international relations and highlighting Saudi Arabia's crucial role in global energy markets.

4. What were the criticisms of King Faisal's rule? While widely admired, some criticized the limitations on political freedoms and the slow pace of social reforms, particularly concerning women's rights, under his reign.

5. How is King Faisal remembered in Saudi Arabia today? King Faisal is widely remembered in Saudi Arabia as a visionary leader who oversaw a period of tremendous economic and social progress, solidifying the nation's position on the world stage. His image remains prominent in national narratives and his legacy continues to be debated and analyzed.


  saudi king faisal: King Faisal And The Modernisation Of Saudi Arabia Willard A. Beling, 2019-03-13 The late King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz was born in Riyadh in 1905/6, several years after his father Abdulaziz Ibn Saud had recaptured it from Ibn Rashid. In 1964 he became king of Saudi Arabia, famous for harbouring twenty five percent of the world's oil reserves and hailed as the most powerful Arab ruler in centuries. In 1975, his nephew shot him in
  saudi king faisal: King Faisal of Saudi Arabia Alexei Vassiliev, 2013-03-01 In 1964 Faisal bin Abdul Aziz became king of a country holding a quarter of the world's oil reserves, also home to Mecca and Medina. He was called 'the most powerful Arab ruler in centuries'. Eleven years later, in front of television cameras, his nephew shot him at point-blank range. In this authoritative biography, Alexei Vassiliev tells the story of a pious, cautious and resolute leader who steered Saudi Arabia through a minefield of domestic problems, inter-Arab relations and the decline of Soviet influence in the Middle East. King Faisal maintained ties with both Egypt and the United States through two Arab - Israeli wars and the 1973 Arab oil embargo, which revolutionized the world energy market. Throughout, he staked high hopes on cooperation with the US, a relationship that is still vital to both countries' interests. Exhaustively researched and including original documents and interviews in Arabic, Russian and English, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia: Personality, Faith and Times offers a unique perspective of this seminal figure and is key to understanding the Arab world today.
  saudi king faisal: Faisal, King of Saudi Arabia Gerald De Gaury, 1967
  saudi king faisal: King Faisal of Saudi Arabia Alexei Vassiliev, 2016-04-12 A detailed and fascinating biography.--The Economist A masterpiece of scholarship. . . . [Vassiliev] has managed to bring to life the legacy of one of Saudi Arabia's most interesting and influential figures.--Anoush Ehteshami, Durham University In 1964 Faisal bin Abdul Aziz became king of a country holding a quarter of the world's oil reserves, also home to Mecca and Medina. He was called the most powerful Arab ruler in centuries. Eleven years later, in front of television cameras, his nephew shot him at point-blank range. In this authoritative biography, Alexei Vassiliev tells the story of a pious, cautious and resolute leader who steered Saudi Arabia through a minefield of domestic problems, inter-Arab relations and the decline of Soviet influence in the Middle East. King Faisal maintained ties with both Egypt and the United States through two Arab-Israeli wars and the 1973 Arab oil embargo, which revolutionized the world energy market. Throughout, he staked high hopes on cooperation with the United States, arelationship that is still vital to both countries' interests. Exhaustively researched and including original documents and interviews in Arabic, Russian, and English,King Faisal of Saudi Arabiaoffers a unique perspective of this seminal figure and is key to understanding the Arab world today. Alexei Vassilievis Honorary President of the Institute for African Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences. He is the author of over forty books, including the acclaimedThe History of Saudi Arabia, winner of the Choice Outstanding Academic Book Award, andCentral Asia: Political and Economic Challenges in the Post-Soviet Era.
  saudi king faisal: 'Iffat Al Thunayan Joseph A. Kechichian, 2015 Iffat Al Thunayan, spouse of the late King Faysal bin 'Abdul 'Aziz Al Sa'ud (r. 1964-1975), was a pillar of the ruling Al Sa'ud family. Born and raised in Istanbul to an uprooted Sa'udi family, she returned to the Kingdom in 1932, a few months before the founder ruler, 'Abdul 'Aziz bin 'Abdul Rahman, reinstituted the monarchy. 'Iffat used her influence to infiltrate many progressive ideas into the Kingdom, including significant strides in education for both boys and girls as well as major advances in health care. An astute observer and a doer par excellence, Queen 'Iffat left her mark on the contemporary history of the Al Sa'ud, as she protected and empowered her kin. She raised a formidable family, listened carefully, guided conversations as necessary, spoke with moderation, recommended policies to her husband and, after the latter was assassinated, to her brothers-in-law who succeeded him. A politically conscious spouse, Queen 'Iffat played the leading role in Sa'udi female society, attended many state functions, and received female state guests. She traveled extensively, especially in Europe and the United States, supported myriad charities, and cajoled many to invest in the Kingdom. Universally respected, many people sought her advice for she shared her ambitions and ideas to benefit the entire country. Based on multiple interviews conducted with members of the al-Faysal family, friends, and acquaintances of the late Queen, Joseph A. Kechichian offers the first political biography of a Sa'udi monarch's spouse. This work is an important resource for social scientists and political analysts, and of interest to all who wish to learn about Arab women in general, and Sa'udi women in particular.
  saudi king faisal: King Faisal and the Modernization of Saudi Arabia Willard A. Beling, 2007-01-01
  saudi king faisal: King Faisal: A Life James Edmonds, 2015-03-18 Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, the third king of Saudi Arabia, was born in a mud house in a small desert village and died as one of the most powerful men on the planet. His reign marked the Kingdom's transition, in barely two generations, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Devout and cautious, Faisal brought gradual change to his nation without eroding its traditions and Islamic value system. Saudis recall his reign as a golden age - when an infrastructure was built, welfare services established and hardliners in the religious establishment were kept in check. American support for Israel led Faisal to institute the 1973 oil embargo, bringing an end to the era of cheap energy and dramatically transforming Saudi society. His death left a void, one which his successors have filled with an overdose of religion. Saudi Arabia and the world are still suffering the consequences.
  saudi king faisal: Enemy of the State Vince Flynn, Kyle Mills, 2017-09-07 THE NEW YORK TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR The enduring mystery of just who really was behind the 9/11 attacks in America has never been solved - but now Mitch Rapp thinks he has the culprits in his sights and he’s out for blood.After 9/11, the United States made one of the most secretive and dangerous deals in its history. The evidence against the powerful Saudis who coordinated the attack would be buried. In return, King Faisal would promise to keep the oil flowing and deal with the conspirators in his midst. When the king’s own nephew is discovered funding ISIS, the US president suspects that the Saudis never intended to live up to their agreement. He decides that the royalty needs to be sent a message and that Mitch Rapp is just the man to deliver it. The catch? Rapp must do it entirely on his own. Forced to make a decision that will change his life forever, Rapp quits the CIA and assembles a group of independent contractors to help him complete the mission. They’ve barely begun unravelling the connections between the Saudi government and ISIS when the brilliant new head of the intelligence directorate discovers their efforts. With Rapp getting too close, he threatens to go public with the details of the post-9/11 agreement between the two countries. Facing an international incident that could end his political career, the President orders America’s intelligence agencies to join the Saudis’ effort to hunt the former CIA man down. Rapp is now at the centre of the most elaborate manhunt in history … AMERICAN ASSASSIN, book one in the series, is now a MAJOR MOTION PICTURE starring Dylan O'Brien (Maze Runner), Taylor Kitsch (True Detective) and Michael Keaton. Praise for the Mitch Rapp series 'Sizzles with inside information and CIA secrets' Dan Brown 'A cracking, uncompromising yarn that literally takes no prisoners' The Times 'Vince Flynn clearly has one eye on Lee Child's action thriller throne with this twist-laden story. . . instantly gripping' Shortlist 'Action-packed, in-your-face, adrenalin-pumped super-hero macho escapist fiction that does exactly what it says on the label' Irish Independent 'Mitch Rapp is a great character who always leaves the bad guys either very sorry for themselves or very dead' Guardian
  saudi king faisal: Saudi Arabia and Iran Banafsheh Keynoush, 2016-04-08 The mesmerizing story of two countries caught in history whose rivalry can destroy the world or restore its peace, this is the first book to untangle the complex relationship of Saudi Arabia and Iran by rejecting heated rhetoric and looking at the real roots of the issue to promise pathways to peace.
  saudi king faisal: The House of Saud in Commerce Sharaf Sabri, 2001 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.
  saudi king faisal: A History of Saudi Arabia Madawi al-Rasheed, 2002-07-11 Saudi Arabia is a wealthy and powerful country which wields influence in the West and across the Islamic world. Yet it remains a closed society. Its history in the twentieth century is dominated by the story of state formation. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Ibn Sa'ud fought a long campaign to bring together a disparate people from across the Arabian peninsula. In 1932 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was born. Madawi al-Rasheed traces its extraordinary history from the age of emirates in the nineteenth century, through the 1990 Gulf War, to the present day. She fuses chronology with analysis, personal experience with oral histories, and draws on local and foreign documents to illuminate the social and cultural life of the Saudis. This is a rich and rewarding book which will be invaluable to students, and to all those trying to understand the enigma of Saudi Arabia.
  saudi king faisal: The History of Saudi Arabia A M Vasilev, 2014-05-22 How has Saudi Arabia managed to maintain its Arab and Islamic values while at the same time adopting Western technology and a market economy? How have its hereditary leaders, who govern with a mixture of political pragmatism and religious zeal, managed to maintain their power? This comprehensive history of Saudi Arabia from 1745 to the present provides insight into its culture and politics, its powerful oil industry, its relations with its neighbours, and the ongoing influence of the Wahhabi movement. Based on a wealth of Arab, American, British, Western and Eastern European sources, this book will stand as the definitive account of the largest state on the Arabian peninsula.
  saudi king faisal: Faysal Joseph A. Kechichian, 2008 King Faysal (1906-1975) ruled Saudi Arabia from 1964 until his assassination eleven years later. Within his brief reign, Faysal secured a legacy as one of the most instrumental actors in the development of the modern Middle East. By the time he ascended to the throne, Faysal understood how dependent many nations were on his country's oil, an understanding that led to the oil embargo of 1973. Wisely, Faysal sought to channel the power of religion for the benefit of the public good, in opposition to Islamic fundamentalists, while his policy initiatives - a balanced budget, the expansion and modernization of higher education, strengthening labor laws and social policies ultimately helped stabilize the entire Gulf region and solidified Saudi Arabian leadership, wealth, and power. King Faysal aspired to a reign guided by an unwavering belief in God, the courage to conquer evil, the patience to persevere regardless of costs or consequences, submission to the will of God against hardships, and due exuberance in response to the burdens of rule. Four decades after his assassination by one of his nephews, Faysal bin Musa'id, his memory lives on in impact of his steady hand on Saudi Arabia's modernization.--BOOK JACKET.
  saudi king faisal: Archive Wars Rosie Bsheer, 2020-09-22 A study of the Saudi Arabian monarchy’s efforts to construct and disseminate a historical narrative to legitimize its rule. The production of history is premised on the selective erasure of certain pasts and the artifacts that stand witness to them. From the elision of archival documents to the demolition of sacred and secular spaces, each act of destruction is also an act of state building. Following the 1991 Gulf War, political elites in Saudi Arabia pursued these dual projects of historical commemoration and state formation with greater fervor to enforce their postwar vision for state, nation, and economy. Seeing Islamist movements as the leading threat to state power, they sought to de-center religion from educational, cultural, and spatial policies. With this book, Rosie Bsheer explores the increasing secularization of the postwar Saudi state and how it manifested in assembling a national archive and reordering urban space in Riyadh and Mecca. The elites’ project was rife with ironies: in Riyadh, they employed world-renowned experts to fashion an imagined history, while at the same time in Mecca they were overseeing the obliteration of a thousand-year-old topography and its replacement with commercial megaprojects. Archive Wars shows how the Saudi state’s response to the challenges of the Gulf War served to historicize a national space, territorialize a national history, and ultimately refract both through new modes of capital accumulation. Praise for Archive Wars “An instant classic. With incredible insight, creativity, and courage, Rosie Bsheer peels away the political and institutional barriers that have so long mystified others seeking to understand Saudi Arabia. Bsheer tells us remarkable new things about the exercise and meaning of power in today’s Saudi Arabia.” —Toby Jones, Rutgers University, author of Desert Kingdom: How Oil and Water Forged Modern Saudi Arabia “There are now two distinct eras in the writing of Saudi Arabian history: before Rosie Bsheer’s Archive Wars and after.” —Robert Vitalis, University of Pennsylvania, author of Oilcraft “Archive Wars explores with conceptual brilliance and historical aplomb the various forms of historical erasure central not just to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but to all modern states. In a finely-grained analysis, Rosie Bsheer rethinks the significance of archives, historicism, capital accumulation, and the remaking of the built environment. A must-read for all historians concerned with the materiality of modern state formation.” —Omnia El Shakry, University of California, Davis, author of The Great Social Laboratory: Subjects of Knowledge in Colonial and Postcolonial Egypt
  saudi king faisal: Kings and Presidents Bruce Riedel, 2019-03-12 An insider's account of the often-fraught U.S.-Saudi relationship Saudi Arabia and the United States have been partners since 1943, when President Roosevelt met with two future Saudi monarchs. Subsequent U.S. presidents have had direct relationships with those kings and their successors—setting the tone for a special partnership between an absolute monarchy with a unique Islamic identity and the world's most powerful democracy. Although based in large part on economic interests, the U.S.-Saudi relationship has rarely been smooth. Differences over Israel have caused friction since the early days, and ambiguities about Saudi involvement—or lack of it—in the September 11 terrorist attacks against the United States continue to haunt the relationship. Now, both countries have new, still-to be-tested leaders in President Trump and King Salman. Bruce Riedel for decades has followed these kings and presidents during his career at the CIA, the White House, and Brookings. This book offers an insider's account of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, with unique insights. Using declassified documents, memoirs by both Saudis and Americans, and eyewitness accounts, this book takes the reader inside the royal palaces, the holy cities, and the White House to gain an understanding of this complex partnership.
  saudi king faisal: National Broadcasting and State Policy in Arab Countries T. Guaaybess, 2013-01-11 A state-of-the-art analysis of the situation of national television in Arab countries, addressing what Arab national broadcastings today say about public policy and political opening. The essays deal with the reforms of public broadcasting organizations and the evolution, perspectives and issues of national broadcasting.
  saudi king faisal: Back to Earth William Facey, 1997 Until 1986, the farmhouse al-'Udhaibat was a tumbledown, neglected mud-brick ruin, no different from many other such old buildings which have survived in Saudi Arabia. It was unmaintained and-- as all buildings of sun-dried mud will, if left-- was quietly sliding into oblivion. The restoration of this farmhouse developed into a complex project, with important implications for rural housing and the place of traditional materials in modern building. Al-'Udhaibat has become a source of inspiration for the new generation of Saudi architects.
  saudi king faisal: Saudi Arabia Christopher M. Blanchard, 2010-11 Contents: (1) Recent Developments; (2) Background: Saudi Arabia (SA)-U.S. Relations, 1931-2001; 9/11 and its Aftermath; Recent Assessments; Terrorist Financing; (3) Congress. Interest in SA: U.S. Foreign Assist. to SA and Prohibitions; Counter-terrorism Assist.; BAE Corruption Inquiry; (4) Current Issues in U.S.-SA Relations; Mil. Cooperation: Counterterrorism; Al Qaeda; Combating Extremism; Arab-Israeli Conflict; SA-Palestinian Relations; SA Policy Priorities in Iraq; U.S.-SA Trade; U.S. Oil Imports and SA Policy; SA Boycott of Israel and WTO Membership; Human Rights, Religious Freedom, and Political Reform; Leadership and Succession; Social Reform Debates and Recent Leadership Changes; Human Rights; Religious Freedom.
  saudi king faisal: The Muslim Brotherhood and the West Martyn Frampton, 2018-02-19 A Foreign Affairs Best Book of the Year In the century since the Muslim Brotherhood first emerged in Egypt, its idea of “the West” has remained a key driver of its behavior. From its founding, the Brotherhood stood opposed to the British Empire and Western cultural influence. Its leaders hoped to create more pristine, authentically Islamic societies. As British power gave way to American, the Brotherhood oscillated between anxiety about the West and the need to engage with it, while American and British officials struggled to understand the group, unsure whether to shun or embrace it. The Muslim Brotherhood and the West offers the first comprehensive history of the relationship between the world’s largest Islamist movement and the powers that have dominated the Middle East for the past hundred years. Drawing on extensive archival research in London and Washington and the Brotherhood’s writings in Arabic and English, Martyn Frampton reveals the history of this charged relationship down to the eve of the Arab Spring. What emerges is an authoritative account of a story that is crucial to understanding one of the world’s most turbulent regions. “Rigorous yet absorbing...Fills a crucial gap in the literature and will be essential reading not just for scholars, but for anyone seeking to understand the ever-problematic relationship between religion and politics in today’s Middle East.” —Financial Times “Breaks new ground by examining the links between the Egyptian Brotherhood’s relations with Britain and...the United States.” —Times Literary Supplement
  saudi king faisal: Faisal Vincent Sheean, 1975
  saudi king faisal: The Bro Code of Saudi Culture Abdul Al Lily, 2018-09-01 Every culture is governed by an internal code of conduct, and this publication captures the code of Saudi culture. Most Saudi norms have long been unwritten and only orally communicated among citizens. As a result, visitors to the country have been unable to read about these norms. For this reason, this book spells out these norms in bold print. It provides bite-sized descriptions of ‘the Saudi’. It is informed by around 2,000 interviews with Saudis and expats. It is the first to talk about the culture in a purely descriptive (and therefore non-judgemental) manner. Writings about Saudi culture tend to be too serious; however, this publication is meant not to be taken too seriously. It is, rather, intended to be entertaining (and, surely, informative). It is written mostly on the toilet (and is, likewise, meant to be read on the toilet). It avoids being biased, recording both ‘negative’ and ‘positive’ norms. It tries to avoid using such sensitive words as ‘religion’ and ‘politics’, considering that it is written entirely for cultural orientation (not for religious or political matters). The book is the first to be written by a male Saudi who was born and raised in the country, who is still based there, who is a former officially-recognised ‘imam’ (i.e. a worship leader) and who comes from a working-class family. Yet, he is a traveller, professor and Oxford graduate. He has been with people from different ethnicities. He has published in different languages and with globally known publishers. Hence, he has shown an ability to communicate with international readers and convey information to foreign mentalities.
  saudi king faisal: Ibn Saud Nestor Sander, 2009
  saudi king faisal: MBS: The Rise to Power of Mohammed Bin Salman Ben Hubbard, 2020-03-10 A Financial Times Book Best Book of the Year 2020 A Foreign Affairs Best Book of the Year 2020 The gripping, untold story of how Saudi Arabia's secretive and mercurial new ruler rose to power.
  saudi king faisal: Twilight in the Desert Matthew R. Simmons, 2011-01-04 Twilight in the Desert reveals a Saudi oil and production industry that could soon approach a serious, irreversible decline. In this exhaustively researched book, veteran oil industry analyst Matthew Simmons draws on his three-plus decades of insider experience and more than 200 independently produced reports about Saudi petroleum resources and production operations. He uncovers a story about Saudi Arabias troubled oil industry, not to mention its political and societal instability, which differs sharply from the globally accepted Saudi version. Its a story that is provocative and disturbing, based on undeniable facts, but until now never told in its entirety. Twilight in the Desert answers all readers questions about Saudi oil and production industries with keen examination instead of unsubstantiated posturing, and takes its place as one of the most important books of this still-young century.
  saudi king faisal: Inside the Kingdom Robert Lacey, 2011-06-30 Saudi Arabia is a country defined by paradox: it sits atop some of the richest oil deposits in the world, and yet the country's roiling disaffection produced sixteen of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers. It is a modern state, driven by contemporary technology, and yet its powerful religious establishment would have its customs and practices rolled back to match those of the Prophet Muhammed over a thousand years ago. In a world where events in the Middle East continue to have geopolitical consequences far beyond the region's boundaries, an understanding of this complex nation is essential. With Inside the Kingdom, British journalist and bestselling author Robert Lacey has given us one of the most penetrating and insightful looks at Saudi Arabia ever produced. More than twenty years after he first moved to the country to write about the Saudis at the end of the oil boom, Lacey has returned to find out how the consequences of the boom produced a society at war with itself. Filled with stories told by a broad range of Saudis, from high princes and ambassadors to men and women on the street, Inside the Kingdom is in many ways the story of the Saudis in their own words.
  saudi king faisal: A History of Saudi Arabia Madawi al-Rasheed, 2010-04 This new edition covers the political, economic and social developments in Saudi Arabia since 9/11 to the present day.
  saudi king faisal: The Afghanistan File Turki Al-Faisal Al-Saud, 2021-08-31 The Afghanistan File, written by the former head of Saudi Arabian Intelligence, tells the story of his Department's involvement in Afghanistan from the time of the Soviet invasion in 1979 to 9/11/2001. It begins with the backing given by Saudi Arabia to the Mujahideen in their fight against the Soviet occupation, and moves on to the fruitless initiatives to broker peace among the Mujahideen factions after the Soviet withdrawal, the rise to power of the Taleban and the shelter the Taleban gave to Osama Bin Laden. A theme that runs through the book is the extraordinary difficulties Saudi Arabia and its allies had in dealing with the Mujahideen. Prince Turki found them magnificently brave, but exasperating. On one occasion in trying to arrange peace among them, he got permission from the King to open the Kaaba in Mecca, and had the leaders go inside, where they were overcome with emotion and swore never to fight each other again. A few hours later on their way to Medina they almost came to blows on the bus. Turki's account gives details of the Saudi attempts in the 1990s to bring its volunteers out of Afghanistan - with chequered success - and his negotiations with the Taleban for the surrender of Osama Bin Laden. The book includes a number of declassified Intelligence Department documents. Prince Turki explains that the nihilistic, apparently pointless terrorism that has been seen in the Middle East in the last twenty years had its origins in Afghanistan with Osama's deluded belief that he had helped defeat the Russians. There is no evidence that he ever fought them at all. Soon after 9/11 Saudi Arabia discovered that it had a home grown terrorist problem involving some of the returnees from Afghanistan. Much of the huge change that has taken place in the Kingdom since has stemmed from the campaign to tackle this.
  saudi king faisal: American Chick in Saudi Arabia Jean Sasson, 2012 It all begins with an ad in the newspaper. When Jean Sasson, a young Southern woman living in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, answers a call to work in the royal hospital in Saudi Arabia, what should have been a two-year stay turns into a life-changing adventure spanning over a decade. Over the years Jean is plunged into the hidden lives of the veiled women in Riyadh, where women are locked in luxurious homes and fundamentalist mutawas terrorize the streets. Jean meets women from all walks of life--a feisty bedouin, an educated mother, a conservative wife of a high-ranking Saudi, and a Saudi princess the world knows as Princess Sultana--all who open a window into Saudi culture and help to reshape Jean's worldviews ... the first installment in a heartfelt, inspiring memoir about Jean's thirty-year travels and adventures in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait and Iraq.
  saudi king faisal: Manufacturing of Natural Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites Mohd Sapuan Salit, Mohammad Jawaid, Nukman Bin Yusoff, M. Enamul Hoque, 2015-09-10 Natural fibre composite is an emerging material that has great potential to be used in engineering application. Oil palm, sugar palm, bagasse, coir, banana stem, hemp, jute, sisal, kenaf, roselle, rice husk, betul nut husk and cocoa pod are among the natural fibres reported to be used as reinforcing materials in polymer composites. Natural fibre composites were used in many industries such as automotive, building, furniture, marine and aerospace industries. The advantages of natural fibre composites include low cost, renewable, abundance, light weight, less abrasive and they are suitable to be used in semi or non-structural engineering components. Research on various aspects of natural fibre composites such as characterization, determination of properties and design have been extensively carried out. However, publications that reported on research of manufacture of natural fibre composites are very limited. Specifically, although manufacturing methods of components from natural fibre composites are similar to those of components from conventional fibre composites such as glass, carbon and Kevlar fibres, modification of equipment used for conventional fibre composites may be required. This book fills the gap of knowledge in the field of natural fibre composites for the research community. Among the methods reported that are being used to produce components from natural fibre composites include hand lay-up, compression moulding, filament winding, injection moulding, resin transfer moulding, pultrusion and vacuum bag moulding. This book is also intended to address some research on secondary processing such as machining and laser welding of natural fibre composites. It is hoped that publication of this book will provide the readers new knowledge and understanding on the manufacture of natural fibre composites.
  saudi king faisal: Saudi Arabia and Its Royal Family William Powell, 1982
  saudi king faisal: Advances in Plant Breeding Strategies: Breeding, Biotechnology and Molecular Tools Jameel M. Al-Khayri, Shri Mohan Jain, Dennis V. Johnson, 2016-02-02 The basic concept of this book is to examine the use of innovative methods augmenting traditional plant breeding towards the development of new crop varieties under different environmental conditions to achieve sustainable food production. This book consists of two volumes: Volume 1 subtitled Breeding, Biotechnology and Molecular Tools and Volume 2 subtitled Agronomic, Abiotic and Biotic Stress Traits. This is Volume 1 which consists of 21 chapters covering domestication and germplasm utilization, conventional breeding techniques and the role of biotechnology. In addition to various biotechnological applications in plant breeding, it includes functional genomics, mutations and methods of detection, and molecular markers. In vitro techniques and their applications in plant breeding are discussed with an emphasis on embryo rescue, somatic cell hybridization and somaclonal variation. Other chapters cover haploid breeding, transgenics, cryogenics and bioinformatics.
  saudi king faisal: Yemen in Crisis Helen Lackner, 2019-04-30 Expert analysis of Yemen's social and political crisis, with profound implications for the fate of the Arab World The democratic promise of the 2011 Arab Spring has unraveled in Yemen, triggering a disastrous crisis of civil war, famine, militarization, and governmental collapse with serious implications for the future of the region. Yet as expert political researcher Helen Lackner argues, the catastrophe does not have to continue, and we can hope for and help build a different future in Yemen. Fueled by Arab and Western intervention, the civil war has quickly escalated, resulting in thousands killed and millions close to starvation. Suffering from a collapsed economy, the people of Yemen face a desperate choice between the Huthi rebels on the one side and the internationally recognized government propped up by the Saudi-led coalition and Western arms on the other. In this invaluable analysis, Helen Lackner uncovers the roots of the social and political conflicts that threaten the very survival of the state and its people. Importantly, she argues that we must understand the roots of the current crisis so that we can hope for a different future for Yemen and the Middle East. With a preface exploring the US’s central role in the crisis.
  saudi king faisal: How We Win Farah Pandith, 2019 The first-ever United States Special Representative to Muslim Communities Farah Pandith's analysis of the rapid spread of extremist ideology, and how business, government and society at large can unite to stop it--
  saudi king faisal: The Huthi Movement in Yemen Abdullah Hamidaddin, 2022-06-30 The Huthi rebels in Yemen are a resistance movement going back decades. Their coup against Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi in 2015 - and the subsequent Yemeni civil war and the intervention of the Arab coalition in support of Hadi - has brought absolute devastation to the country. But who are the Huthis and how can we understand the group away from armed conflict and war? What has motivated their social movement to fundamentally re-shape Yemen, and what are the group's local and regional ambitions? This book provides the first comprehensive critical analysis dedicated to the Huthis. Across four parts and 17 chapters, the book examines how the movement is challenging traditional religious authority, re-shaping tribal values and roles in Yemen, constructing new collective memories and identities, and infusing Yemen's mediascape with their ideological creed. In examining the movement's specific ways of thinking and beliefs, the book also highlights its foreign policy within a regional policy of resistance to the United States, and it points towards what its impact on both Yemen and the security of the Arab Gulf region will be. The book brings together the leading experts on Yemen from diverse disciplines to provide readers with a nuanced and multi-layered approach to understanding the Huthi movement.
  saudi king faisal: Racing Against History Rick Richman, 2018-01-30 Racing Against History is the stunning story of three powerful personalities who sought in 1940 to turn the tide of history. David Ben-Gurion, Vladimir Jabotinsky, and Chaim Weizmann—the leaders of the left, right, and center of Zionism—undertook separate missions that year to America, then frozen in isolationism, to seek support for a Jewish army to fight Hitler. Their efforts were at once heroic and tragic. The book presents a portrait of three historic figures and the American Jewish community—at the beginning of the most consequential decade in modern Jewish history—and a cautionary tale about divisions within the Jewish community at a time of American isolationism. Based on previously unpublished materials, the book sheds new light on Zionism in America and the history of World War II, and it aims to stimulate discussion about the evolving relationship between Israel and American Jews, as the Jewish State approaches its 70th anniversary under the continuing threat of annihilation. A book for general readers, history buffs and academics alike, it includes 75 pages of End Notes that enable readers to pursue the stunning story in further depth.
  saudi king faisal: Sa'udi Policies Towards Migrants and Refugees Joseph A. Kéchichian, Fahad Alsharif, 2021-09-22 A Sacred Duty; sets out the Kingdom's policy toward the global issue of migrants and refugees, with special emphasis directed toward Muslim societies. Discussion focuses on refugee communities currently living in Sa'udi Arabia, some of which migrated due to war, forced displacement, environmental catastrophe, and economic hardship. Some migrants have come from bordering countries such as Iraq and Yemen; others reached the Arabian Peninsula from Africa and Asia. All have been welcomed and cared for, though settlement conditions, repatriation, and deportation circumstances were not always ideal. Inevitably, and mirroring experience elsewhere in the world, there are undeniable gulfs between policies and practices. Policy shortcomings are measured against the substantive assistance planks that Riyadh espouses, including providing financial aid to refugees in third countries, over and above United Nations' appeals. These acts are done without prejudice and mostly without publicity. Aid to the needy is justified by religious obligations, as well as on humanitarian grounds. Sa'udi Arabia's aid contributions have generally been either overlooked or dismissed, and the religious foundations of their commitment to displaced populations has been negatively contrasted against human-rights based commitments espoused by Western states and institutions. Sa'udi Policies towards Migrants and Refugees; addresses these concerns, filling a key gap in the literature on a vital policy topic. The book refutes notions that the country discourages open research on sensitive topics and further dispels the prejudiced idea of a society closed to any kind of external influence. Sa'udi Arabia's granting of hospitality to refugees reinforces historic, tribal, and universal norms in contrast to misplaced notions of hostility toward Western standards, which in the case of migrants and refugees has seen the application of confused and alarming standards of behavior by a plethora of Western states.
  saudi king faisal: News from the Center Center for the Coordination of Foreign Manuscript Copying (U.S.), 1967
  saudi king faisal: The Wells of Ibn Saud D. van der Meulen, 2003-01
  saudi king faisal: Salman's Legacy Madawi Al-Rasheed, 2018-06-01 King Salman of Saudi Arabia began his rule in 2015 confronted with a series of unprecedented challenges. The dilemmas he has faced are new and significant, from leadership shuffles and falling oil prices to regional and international upheaval. Salman's Legacy interrogates this era and assesses its multiple social, political, regional and international challenges. Whether Salman's policies have saved the kingdom from serious upheaval is yet to be seen, but no doubt a new kingdom is emerging. This book offers historical and contemporary insights into the various problems that persist in haunting the Saudi state. Madawi Al-Rasheed brings together well-established historians and social scientists with deep knowledge of Saudi Arabia--its history, culture and contemporary politics--to reflect on Salman's kingdom. They trace both policy continuities and recent ruptures that have perplexed observers of Saudi Arabia. This lucid and nuanced analysis invites serious reflection on the Saudi leadership's capacity to withstand the recent challenges, especially those that came with the Arab uprisings. At stake is the future of a country that remains vital to regional stability, international security, and the global economy.
  saudi king faisal: The Oil Kings Andrew Scott Cooper, 2012-09-11 Relying on a rich cache of previously classified notes, transcripts, cables, policy briefs, and memoranda, Andrew Cooper explains how oil drove, even corrupted, American foreign policy during a time when Cold War imperatives still applied, and tells why in the 1970s the U.S. switched its Middle East allegiance from the Shah of Iran to the Saudi royal family. Amid the oil shocks of the early 1970s, there was one man the U.S. could rely on: the Shah of Iran. The Shah sold us oil; we sold him weapons. But the U.S. and other industrialized economies could not tolerate repeated annual double digit increases in oil prices. During the 1976 election campaign, President Gerald Ford decided that he had to find a country that would break the OPEC monopoly and sell the U.S. oil more cheaply. On the advice of Treasury Secretary William Simon -- and against the advice of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger -- Ford made a deal to sell advanced weaponry to the Saudis in exchange for a more moderate price hike in oil. The Shah's economy was destabilized, and disaffected elements mobilized to overthrow him. The U.S. had embarked on a long relationship with the autocratic Saudi kingdom that continues to this day.
Saudi Arabia - King Faisal - Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Although Saudi Arabia is not one of the immediate parties to the dispute, it has been in a position to exert increasing influence on the Arab states which need to negotiate with Israel.

MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION Secretary of State Henry …
stable Saudi Arabia in building a permanent peace in the area. The President stated that his sentiments and attitude of support for Saudi Arabia were a product of his respect for the Saudi …

Saudi Arabia
1. On evening Feb 3 I had three-hour audience with King Faisal during which we reviewed various Middle East problems. Rashad Pharaon also present. Summary of Faisal’s observations …

KING FAISAL OF SAUDI ARABIA, HIS AWARDS AND THE …
Faisal ibn Abdul Aziz ibn Abdul Rahaman al Saud was born in about 1906, the son of King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In his youth he fully participated in …

OCTOBER 1973: RISE OF A KINGDOM OR EMPIRE? - United …
At the time of the embargo, the King of Saudi Arabia was King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud. He was the third king of Saudi Arabia and ruled from 1964 after deposing his half-brother, King …

PRESIDENTIAL LETTER TO KING FAISAL - The World Factbook
In view of Faisal's recent public statements on using Saudi oil to bring about a change in US Middle East policy, Secretary Rogers feels that a letter from the President will help to convince …

King Faisal and the Forging of The Anglo-Saudi Terror Alliance
Jun 27, 2014 · Above all else, King Faisal promoted the Anglo-Saudi alliance and put the Kingdom under effective British control. Having been thrust into the position of king by the …

SAUDI SALAFI CLERICS UNDER MBS: REFORM AND SURVIVAL …
Saudi Arabia, in the context of societal evolution and changing government priorities, has long shaped relations between Saudi rulers and their men of religion, going back to King Abdul Aziz …

King Faisal and the Challenge of Nasser's Revolutionary …
The purpose of this article is to examine the relations Egypt and Saudi Arabia from the time of King Faisal's rise to power until Nasser's death, via various events that shaped the Middle …

The Saudi King: Power and Limitation in the Saudi Arabian …
Article 5 of the Saudi Basic Law stipulates that “the system of government in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is that of a monarchy [and] rule passes to the sons of the founding king, Abd Al …

Vision 2030: Religious Education Reform in the Kingdom of …
Under Vision 2030,(1) reform of the education system was presented as the means of implementing economic reforms; this deliberate path has had a measure of success, …

The Two Faces of Saudi Arabia - Taylor & Francis Online
King Faisal acknowledged his country’s religious and cultural diversity, which includes the predominantly Shia Ahsa in the east; the Asir in the southwest, with tribal afinities to Yemen, …

King Faisal Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud in the Arena of World
King Faisal Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud in the Arena of World Politics: A Glimpse from Washington, 1950 to 1971. 1971. HELMUT MEJCHERE. ABSTRACT This paper aims to draw a portrait of …

the ups and downs - JSTOR
conservative leaders like Kings Saud and Faisal of Saudi Arabia were contributing to the continued existence and increasing strength of Israel by allying themselves with the Western …

Mohammed bin Salman and Religious Authority and Reform …
Sep 19, 2019 · RISE OF THE SAHWA. The emergence of Sahwa dissent in the late 1980s and 1990s illustrated rising religious activism in the kingdom. Clerics such as Salman al-Awda and …

REJECTIONIST ISLAMISM IN SAUDI ARABIA - JSTOR
Faisal in 1964 and the dynamics of the Arab Cold War further increased the budgets and the influence of the religious establishment and Islamic organizations in Saudi Arabia. This …

View from the inside: Prince Turki al-Faisal on Saudi Arabia, …
View from the inside: Prince Turki al-Faisal on Saudi Arabia, nuclear energy and weapons, and Middle East politics. Dan Drollette Jr. ABSTRACT. Turki al-Faisal has long had access to …

THE SAUDI CONNECTION - JSTOR
that rise of secularism and fueled by oil money, King Faisal ibn Abdulaziz al-Saud (ruled 1964-75) decided the propaganda of Wahhabism, which proclaims the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the …

A Prospect of Saudi Arabia - JSTOR
With the forced abdication of King Saud and his replacement by Faisal in 1964, the most widely travelled and internationally experienced member of the Royal Family was in power.

Saudi Arabia - King Faisal - Gerald R. Ford Presidential Libra…
Although Saudi Arabia is not one of the immediate parties to the dispute, it has been in a position to exert increasing influence on the Arab states which need to negotiate …

MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION Secretary of Sta…
stable Saudi Arabia in building a permanent peace in the area. The President stated that his sentiments and attitude of support for Saudi Arabia were a product of his respect …

SAUDI ARABIA UNDER KING FAISAL - CORE
Saudi Arabia under the dynamic and effective leadership of King Faisal . The work is divided into seven chapters followed by a genealogical table of Saudi rules and a …

Saudi Arabia
1. On evening Feb 3 I had three-hour audience with King Faisal during which we reviewed various Middle East problems. Rashad Pharaon also present. Summary of …

KING FAISAL OF SAUDI ARABIA, HIS AWARDS AND THE SAUDI O…
Faisal ibn Abdul Aziz ibn Abdul Rahaman al Saud was born in about 1906, the son of King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In his youth he …