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Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz
Al-Saud
Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation
Born:
1949
Education: Advanced military training in the U.S. and
U.K., masters degree in political science, Auburn University
Lineage: Son of Prince Sultan, grandson of King Ibn Saud
Line to Throne: Possible "second generation"
contender
Offices: Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and
Inspector General for Military Affairs
Prince Khalid is best known as the commander of the joint Arab
forces during the first Gulf War. Though he's had an impressive
military career, some journalists insist that Prince Khalid was
actually a figurehead leader who took his cues from U.S. general,
Norman Schwarzkopf. Khalid himself painted a more dynamic picture
of his role during the conflict in his memoir DESERT WARRIOR: A
PERSONAL VIEW OF THE GULF WAR, the first book published by a
member of the royal family.
Prince Khalid tendered his resignation soon after the end of the
Gulf War, a move that lead to a flurry of speculation concerning
the inner workings of the House of Saud. One explanation for his
resignation held that Khalid was a victim of his own ambition. It
was rumored that after the end of hostilities, Khalid made a
request to King Fahd that he be promoted to the rank of military
chief of staff. Khalid's self-promotion and high visibility (he
was trailed by a documentary film crew during the Gulf War) may
have been distasteful to some high-ranking royal family members,
and King Fahd may have balked at the young prince's brazen
request. Furthermore, leadership positions within the House of
Saud are secured through close personal relationships, and
Khalid's connections to King Fahd were not perceived as strong.
Since his resignation, Khalid has largely kept out of the press.
Though he now works for his father, Prince Sultan, as deputy
minister of defense, it remains to be seen how Khalid will fare
once he and his peers begin jockeying for power.
Source: PBS.org
As of March , 2006
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Joint Chiefs Chairman in the Kingdom
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