Succession in Saudi Arabia

Military Review, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Youssef H. Aboul-Enein

Joseph A. Kechichian, Palgrave Press, New York, 2001, 287 pages, $59.95.

Joseph A. Kechichian, who has been an adviser for think-tanks and government agencies, is a prolific writer on the Middle East. His book, Succession in Saudi Arabia, is the first look at the dynamics of succession within the Al-Saud family since Alexander Bligh's book From Prince to King (New York University Press) was published in 1984. Kechichian's book is the first to address the succession issue beyond Regent Crown Prince Abdullah and the sons of King Abdul-Aziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia. Kechichian postulates several viable candidates from among the king's grandsons. The survival of the Saudi royal family, and who becomes king, directly bears on whether the United States can maintain peaceful relations with the desert kingdom.

The story of the Al-Saud family begins in 1901 and continues for three decades. King Abdul-Aziz used a complex system of alliances with several tribes, families, and his own extended family to secure loyalty. One of his more important allies was the Al-al-Shaykh family, who were descendants of Islamic revivalist Abdul-Wahab, who preached during the 18th century. The Al-al-Shaykh family dominated religious and justice ministries, and Al-Saud's marriage gave the royal family its religious legitimacy.

The Al-Rashids, who were rivals to Al-Saud and who had forced them into exile from Central Arabia in the 19th century were also co-opted by war and marriage. The Sudayris is another old and aristocratic family in Arabia. Abdul-Aziz's mother was a Sudayri, and he also married into this family. His seven sons from the marriage now occupy major ministerial posts and governorships.

Knowing Abdul-Aziz's maternal lineage helps us understand the different branches of his line. Abdul-Aziz had an older brother who challenged Abdul-Aziz's authority to rule. Based on seniority, the descendants of this brother, known as the Saud-al-Kabir line, represent another aspect of the family, which requires recognition and analysis. Another branch, the Al-Faisal's, sons of the third Saudi King Faisal, who was assassinated in 1975, are quite competent and serve the Nation as the current foreign minister and former chief of intelligence. A sore point among royal family members is the concentration of high-level posts held by members of the Sudayri line.

Kechichian looks at every Saudi ruler and assesses his impact and governance on Saudi Arabia, from the incompetent second king, Sand (1953-1964), to his successor, Faisal (1964-1975), who brought a hard-work ethic, coupled with shrewd diplomacy and modernization programs, to the royal family. Kechichian dedicates one chapter to describing Abdul-Aziz's grandsons' appointments to key positions in the government. As deputies, governors, and assistant governors, they represent the various royal lines that are jockeying for positions closer to the spheres of influence for the eventual appointment of the next generation of Al-Sauds, if not an outright assumption of kingship.

The royal family is aware that external and internal rivals closely watch royal dissent. They have learned valuable lessons from Egyptian President Gamal Nasser, who attempted to exploit the chaos caused by King Saud's refusal to abdicate to Crown Prince Faisal and the events in 1981 with the forcible takeover of the holy mosque in Makkah.

Of note is the chapter on security concerns of Saudi Arabia, which includes a realistic analysis of the various forces required (religious, military, and secular) that in unison could topple the regime. Also, the appendix is rich with information, including the 1992 edict expanding the candidates for the monarchy to include grandsons of Abdul-Aziz, and the petitions from prominent citizens and religious clergy calling for increased participation in government. I highly recommend this book to Middle East analysts and foreign area officers.

LCDR Youssef H. Aboul-Enein, USN, Gaithersburg, Maryland