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.


Samuel Willner is Research Fellow at the University of Haifa, Israel.