Abstract
Saudi Arabia has faced a full-fledged Islamic insurgency since May 2003. In combating this
insurgency, the kingdom is hampered by the lack of loyal security forces, which seem to be
penetrated by al-Qa'ida. In the beginning the regime tried the old methods of co-optation,
including a generous amnesty to bring in the insurgents. However, it has recently discovered that it
must go on a determined offensive, and it is this strategy that has brought several recent successes.
Crushing this insurgency is Riyadh's top priority, and it should be Washington 's as well--far ahead
of reform or democracy.
This article was originally written for a project and conference on "After the Iraq War: Strategic
and Political Changes in Europe and the Middle East," co-sponsored by the GLORIA Center and
The Military Centre for Strategic Studies (CeMiSS) of Italy.
Original language | American English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-11 |
Journal | Middle East Review of International Affairs |
Volume | 9 |
State | Published - 2005 |