The annual Janadriya National Heritage and Culture Festival, usually a prime opportunity for members of the royal family to gather around the King, took place in exceptional circumstances this year. In this issue, we discuss the king’s return to the limelight at Janadriya and his plans for political reform – as well as his failure in the month to attend celebrations in Bahrain later to thank Saudi Arabia for its military intervention in support of the Al Khalifa dynasty. With the crown prince playing an ever-diminishing role, we draw attention to Interior Minister Prince Nayef’s sudden and unexpected eclipse, which may have very serious implications. We also discuss reports of rivalry between Assistant Interior Minister Prince Mohamed b. Nayef and Assistant Defence Minister Prince Khaled b. Sultan, and the abrupt reversal of fortunes of Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faysal and his full brothers, including Mecca governor Prince Khaled Al-Faysal.
In addition to this analysis (3,064 words), the issue comprises an Executive Summary (394 words) and a Saudi Royal Court Gazette(5,810 words) in which we record the reported activity, during the month, of 25 princes. Total number of words for this issue: 9,268.
