Font Size: a A A

Pragmatist, conservative, or reformer? United States perceptions of future Saudi leaders

Posted on:2012-12-26Degree:M.AType:Thesis
University:Georgetown UniversityCandidate:Binladen, Samaa SalemFull Text:PDF
GTID:2456390008499063Subject:Political science
Abstract/Summary:
The United States pays great attention to succession in the Kingdom and attempts to predict the way in which a future ruler may diverge from the policies of his predecessor. This fixation on the king and his successor demonstrates some important misconceptions about Saudi Arabia's government. This paper discusses groups and individuals, other than the king, within the Saudi system, who play a role in shaping Saudi policy. It then examines United States predictions of how Saudi crown princes' would act as king to see if these assessments proved accurate. In doing so, I argue that judgments of Saudi crown princes' behavior have little to do with their policies once they are king. Therefore, the king's perceived personality is irrelevant in predicting Saudi foreign policy.
Keywords/Search Tags:Saudi, United states, King
Related items