Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has died, ending a reign which lasted officially since 2005, but effectively for ten years before that after the country's previous ruler suffered a stroke. .Abdullah was a key ally of the US, maintaining a strong relationship with Washington despite the role of Saudi nationals in carrying out the 9/11 attacks. More recently, Abdullah's Saudi Arabia has joined the international coalition to fight the militant group Islamic State, from whom the country now faces a domestic threat.
Saudia Arabia sees itself as the chief guardian of Sunni Islam, and as such forms a centre of power for one half of Islam's civil war, the other being Shia-led Iran.
Prospect has followed the deepening crisis in the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia's role within it, closely over the past months. Here is a selection of pieces:
The new cold war Iran versus Saudi Arabia—how far will it go, asks Gregory Treverton.
The arms race gathers pace The West could help—or make it worse, writes Anthony Cordesman.
Life and laughter in Saudi Arabia Change is beginning to happen in this deeply conservative country—but it is a fragile thing, writes Charlie Askew.
Will Obama’s trip to Saudi Arabia strengthen ties? Bronwen Maddox analyses the president's trip to the Middle Eastern state last year.
Could Saudi Arabia become a home for women’s rights? In 2015, for the first time, women will be able to vote and run in the municipal elections without permission from their guardian, writes Jessica Abrahams.
Saudia Arabia sees itself as the chief guardian of Sunni Islam, and as such forms a centre of power for one half of Islam's civil war, the other being Shia-led Iran.
Prospect has followed the deepening crisis in the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia's role within it, closely over the past months. Here is a selection of pieces:
The new cold war Iran versus Saudi Arabia—how far will it go, asks Gregory Treverton.
The arms race gathers pace The West could help—or make it worse, writes Anthony Cordesman.
Life and laughter in Saudi Arabia Change is beginning to happen in this deeply conservative country—but it is a fragile thing, writes Charlie Askew.
Will Obama’s trip to Saudi Arabia strengthen ties? Bronwen Maddox analyses the president's trip to the Middle Eastern state last year.
Could Saudi Arabia become a home for women’s rights? In 2015, for the first time, women will be able to vote and run in the municipal elections without permission from their guardian, writes Jessica Abrahams.
