As king Abdullah resumes his royal duties at a particularly delicate moment, in this issue we discuss his reaction to the threat of unrest in Saudi Arabia itself and his evolving stance on events in neighbouring Bahrain – and the repercussions for the vital relationship with the United States. With the crown prince increasingly eclipsed, we examine interior minister Prince Nayef’s central role in crafting the government's response both to domestic challenges and to events in neighbouring countries. We also look into Prince Mitaab b. Abdulaziz’s involvement in palace intrigues, and discuss Prince Saud al-Faysal’s unusually illiberal statements and his delicate position within the ruling family and the government.
In addition to this analysis (2,855 words), the issue comprises an Executive Summary (462 words) and a Saudi Royal Court Gazette (5,509 words) in which we record the reported activity, during the month, of 25 princes. Total number of words for this issue: 8,809.
