Abstract
Saudi Arabia’s new royal family council may be an attempt to present a united front amid speculation of internal succession struggles. Despite his failing health, King Fahd retains the respect of his brothers and has a creditable record as a minister and as monarch. But the presence on the council of Prince Talal, an open advocate of democracy, suggests that the council could herald a genuine attempt at reform, despite royal insistence that its role is consultative, not political. Crown Prince Abdullah, who heads the council, has warned that although the oil price has tripled since early 1999, the Saudi budget cannot long sustain princely extravagance on its traditional level.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
