This book is one of a kind. Many political histories have been written about Saudi(The coming fall fo the house of Saud by Aburish) and many critiques of Sadui have been written(Crude Politics) and their are few if any books examining the Saudi military. The Saudis joined in all the wars against Israel and used the Oil weapon after the 1973 war.

The Saudis have also come into conflict with many of their neighboors. For instance in the 1950s-60s the Saudis supported the Yemeni royalty in their struggle against the Egyptian supported Nationalists. Suadi saw Nasserism as a threat to its security. The Saudis also imposd their will on the UAE, Bahrain and Oman. The other walks you through Saudis dispuits with each of tis small gulf neighboors and the border issues with Yemen and Oman.

The Saudis greatest threat has come from Iran and Iraq. The Shi'ite revolution of 1979 saw the Saudis worried about tensions in their own police state against the Shiite minority. This amazing book explores this problem in detail. THis book also deals with the problems of Saddam Hussein and a strong Iraq.

A very neccesary read to understand the police state of Saudi and why it has been able to exist so long without a threat to its fuedal royal family.