Preserving the Saudi Monarchy : Political Pragmatism in Saudi Arabia, C.1973-1979

This book provides a new perspective on the study of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its monarchy – its political leadership and decisions. Moreover, it analyzes how that decision-making evolved before, during, and after the Arab–Israeli War of 1973, and the subsequent Arab oil embargo that followed; the run-up to and aftermath of the 1975 murder of King Faysal; discussions over the oil weapon; and Saudi responses to the Carter presidency in the United States. Through the prism of tribal decision-making, this book sheds new light on a number of important political events, which have shaped the political leadership in Saudi Arabia, and explores the behind-the-scenes workings of the Saudi royal family. Preface Acknowledgments Contents Abbreviations List of Charts List of Tables Chapter 1: Introduction Overcoming the Methodological Challenges Note on Transliteration Overview of the Book Part I: The Foundations of Political Leadership in Saudi Arabia Chapter 2: Tribal Decision-Making: From Traditional to Modern Context Survival in the Traditional Tribal Context The Concept of Shaping Consensus Through Consultation and Other Central Characteristics of Saudi Policymaking Royal Succession and the Legitimacy to Lead the Saudi Monarchy Chapter 3: Central Characteristics of Saudi Foreign Policy Silent Foreign Policy Emissaries Representing the Royal Family and Its Interests Saudi Foreign Policy Is Established on Defensive Posture Conclusion of Part I The Foundations of Political Leadership in Saudi Arabia Conclusions Part II: The 1973 Arab–Israeli War and the Arab Oil Embargo Chapter 4: Emerging Pan-Arabism and the Politicization of Arab Oil Abd al-Nasir’s Pan-Arabism The Politicization of Arab Oil The Rashidi Unrest and the Repercussions of the 1970 ‘Black September’ The Saudis and the Threat Posed by the ‘Palestine-Problem’ The Attacks Against the Saudi Embassies in Khartoum (March 1973) and Paris (September 1973) Chapter 5: Conflicting Interests and King Faysal’s Decision to Support Egypt’s War Efforts The Saudi Contemplations of Whether to Use the Oil Weapon The ‘Oil Weapon’ and Increasing Saudi Concerns Disagreements Within the Royal Family and Apprehensions About King Faysal’s Senility Start of the October War Conclusion of Part II The 1973 Arab–Israeli War and the Arab Oil Embargo Conclusions Part III: The End of the Oil Embargo and the Murder of King Faysal (1973–1976) Chapter 6: Towards the End of the Oil Embargo The Origins of the US Military Plans and Psychological Warfare Against the Saudis Faysal’s Confrontational Messages: Threats and Counterthreats Senior Members of the Royal Family Casting Their Doubts About the Embargo The US Deliberations and Kissinger’s Response: “The Wilder Flights of Zumwaltery” Nixon’s Message to King Faysal: “Restrictions Must Be Ended Immediately” Ending the Embargo Chapter 7: Threats of a New Oil Embargo Faysal’s Threats of a New Oil Embargo and His Conflict with Fahd Faysal Is Worried About the US Psychological Pressure Chapter 8: The Murder of King Faysal Advocating for ‘a New Economic Order’ The Message from Henry Kissinger aka “Miles Ignotus” to the Saudis The Murder and the Succession After King Faysal The End to Oil Weapon Threat New Attacks, Threats Emerge Chapter 9: The Top-Secret Saudi Plan to Use the USSR to Pressure the United States Jordan in Talks to Buy Soviet Arms The Top-Secret Saudi Plan Conclusion of Part III The End of the Oil Embargo and the Murder of King Faysal (1973–1976) Conclusions Part IV: The Survival of the Saudi Monarchy During the Carter Administration (1977–1981) Chapter 10: Saudi Concerns of the Marxist and Arab Revolutionary Threats (1977–1978) President Jimmy Carter’s Foreign Policy Sabotage of Oil Installations and Failed Coup Attempts The Saudi Responses to the Soviet-Sponsored Marxist Threat Chapter 11: The 1978–1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran The Revolution Saudi Reactions Before the Shah’s Fall Saudi Reactions After the Shah’s Fall Protesting Carter’s Policies The Repercussions of the Yemenite War (February–March 1979) Chapter 12: Inspired by the Islamic Revolution: Rebellions, Uprisings, and Coup Attempts The Ramifications of the Alleged Military Coup (August 1979) The Mecca Rebellion (November 1979) The Qatif Uprising (November 1979) The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (December 1979) Significant Amount of Financial Assets Leaves Saudi Arabia Chapter 13: Saudi, CIA Messages to President Carter: A US Policy Change Toward the Saudis Is Necessary Saudi Response to CIA ‘Warning’ of a Possible Regime Collapse The Soviet Military Exercise to Invade Iran and the Saudi Appeal for Change of the US Administration (August–September 1980) The Start of the Iran–Iraq War (September 1980) Ronald Reagan Starts in the White House Conclusion of Part IV The Survival of the Saudi Monarchy During the Carter Administration (1977–1981) Conclusions Chapter 14: Final Conclusions The Repercussions of King Faysal’s Decision to Join the Oil Embargo The Importance of Understanding Saudi Foreign Policy Interests Saudi Political Pragmatism in Building a Coalition Against Iran Appendix Main Historic Events Al Saud’s Family Trees Oil Price and Production Charts Selected Bibliography Primary Sources National Archives Organization Archives Published Official Documents English Newspapers, Journals, and Periodicals Arabic English Italian Persian Data Sources Secondary Sources Books Arabic English Journal Articles English French Unpublished PhD Dissertations Index