Trouble reading this HTML email?  Read it on-line at:
http://www.saudi-us-relations.org/newsletters/current.html 

Newsletter #312

April 5-11, 2009

What's New on SUSRIS

Saudi Arabia: Succession Steps

"..The naming of Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz as Saudi Arabia's second deputy prime minister put to rest three years of speculation about this influential position -- historically held by the heir-in-waiting but deliberately left vacant under King Abdullah's succession reforms. As is typical with the kingdom's opaque royal politics, long-time observers do not agree whether Nayef is now a shoo-in to be the next crown prince, but there is a general consensus that he is at least one step closer. Circumstance required Abdullah to appoint a "caretaker" head of state before he left the kingdom on Mar. 29 for the Arab League summit in Qatar and the G20 summit in the UK. With the ailing Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, who holds the title of deputy prime minister, still recovering from surgery abroad, the constitution requires the designation of the next-in-command as acting ruler, which would fall to the unfilled post of second deputy prime minister. King Abdullah had pointedly not named any of his half-brothers (he has no full brothers) to that position, traditionally reserved for the second in line to the throne. Instead, he announced in 2006 the formation of the Allegiance Commission -- a group of 34 princes tasked with selecting future kings and crown princes.." [more]

Leadership in the Kingdom: Prince Nayef Named 2nd Dep PM - A Conversation with Jean-François Seznec

"The immediate cause for Prince Nayef being named is probably the illness of the Crown Prince Sultan. The Crown Prince is reportedly extremely ill and may not be able to resume his responsibilities. Normally, as the King leaves the Kingdom, the Crown Prince, as First Deputy PM, is placed in charge of the government. Lately the King has been abroad for numerous conferences, leaving the government without leadership. Hence, the most senior cabinet member was slated to become the 2nd deputy PM. This of course, in true Saudi fashion, has been a long time in the making. Prince Sultan has been ill for a number of years, and the present move could have been expected sometime ago, but it was probably subject to extensive consultations between the King and all the parties within the royal family.."  [more]

In the News

Why Obama's Saudi Bow was Not a Kow-Tow

"President Obama definitely bowed down when he shook the hand of Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud at the G-20 in London last week. Despite the continuing outrage of conservatives and Arab-bashers, what Obama did was entirely appropriate, too.  Here's my guide to Arabian royal protocol and American common sense.."  [more]

Keeping Track - Recent SUSRIS Items - Visit SUSRIS.org 

More News This Week

• Security Beefed up at Saudi Consulate in Mumbai [Apr 11] [more]
• Saudi Prince's Invention Creates a Flutter in Geneva [Apr 11] [more]
• Arab Foreign Ministers to Meet in Amman Today [Apr 11] [more]
• Tadawul Crosses 5,000-Point Mark [Apr 11] [more]
• Hardliners Want Saudi Woman Minister Sacked [Apr 10] [more]
• Dialogue Between Two Kingdoms [Apr 10] [more]
• IEA Cuts Oil Demand Forecast to Lowest in Five Years [Apr 10] [more]
• Begging Among Saudis Up By 4% in a Year [Apr 10] [more]
• Grenoble Graduate School of Business to Deliver Programs in Saudi Arabia [Apr 10] [more]
• Saudi Says New Israeli Govt Policies Dangerous [Apr 9] [more]
• Rising Poverty Generates Heat in Shura Council [Apr 9] [more]
• Sultan Receives Clinton [Apr 9] [more]
• Saudi, British Youths Painting the Future [Apr 9] [more]
• Al-Qaeda Losing Ground: Al-Turki [Apr 9] [more]
• 11 Militants Tied to Al Qaeda Held, Saudis Say [Apr 8] [more]
• U.N. Climate Talks Threaten Our Survival: Saudi Arabia [Apr 8] [more]
• Rolls-Royce Wins $900 Mln Contract [Apr 8] [more]
• Saudi Arabia Not to Establish Diplomatic Relations With Armenia [Apr 8] [more]
• Religious Police Chief Apologizes to Saudi Man [Apr 8] [more]
• Muslim Congressman Seeks to Build Saudi-US Bridges [Apr 8] [more]
• NSHR Calls for National Human Rights Strategy [Apr 8] [more]
• Railway to Link GCC Countries [Apr 8] [more]
• Former FBI Chief Defends Flow of Money to Saudi Ambassador [Apr 7] [more]
• Pakistan to Seek Oil Facility From Saudi Arabia [Apr 7] [more]
• Thales Signs Saudi Rail Contract [Apr 7] [more]
• KSA Taps Reserves to Boost Economy [Apr 7] [more]
• Khaled Wants Ban on Young People Lifted [Apr 7] [more]
• BAE Move to Help Expand Aviation Industry [Apr 7] [more]
• Saudi Arabia's Succession Remains a Delicate Matter [Apr 6] [more]
• 200 Mosques in Saudi Face the Wrong Direction [Apr 6] [more]
• North-South Railway to be Ready for Freight Movement by 2010 [Apr 6] [more]
• Nanoscience Forum Opens in Riyadh [Apr 6] [more]
• Strong Financial Stimulus Needed [Apr 5] [more]
• High-Level US Trade Team to Visit Kingdom [Apr 5] [more]
• Prince Turki Says Arab Disunity Benefiting Tehran [Apr 5] [more]
• Saudi King Drawn Into Cinema Row [Apr 5] [more]
• Saudi Stock Market Shares Drop 14% in March [Apr 5] [more]
  

Saudi-US Relations Information Service

eMail: [email protected] 
Web: http://www.Saudi-US-Relations.org 
© 2009
Users of the Saudi-US Relations Information Service are
assumed to have read and agreed to our terms of use.