Review
“This extensively researched book from Anthony Cordesman is timely. It draws on a variety of sources to paint a fairly plausible picture of Saudi Arabia as it now stands; perhaps on the cusp of peaceful change, perhaps not. But it is the present situation and the possible future development of the major strands in foreign relations, internal politics and security, demographics and so are that are developed in depth...This is a useful and interesting book, packed full of information, statistics and views...[I]t paints as clear an overview of the extraordinary Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as one is likely to get at present.”–
Philip Barnes, The Journal of Energy Literature X.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Product Description
With the continuing importance of Saudi Arabia in regional and world politics, the current and future effectiveness of the Saudi military carries increased significance. Despite recent strains in relations with the U.S., particularly in light of the role Saudis played in the events of September 11, 2001, the Kingdom remains America's key Arab ally. Cordesman studies the challenges faced by the Saudis from both their allies and their potential enemies to assess Saudi Arabia's ability to forge a better approach to collective security in the Gulf and to create more stable long-term security arrangements with the U.S. and other Western Powers. This assessment of Saudi Arabia's strategic position includes a full-scale analysis of Saudi military forces, defense expenditures, arms imports, military modernization, readiness and war fighting capability. It examines both the cooperation and tension with other Southern Gulf States. It explores the implications of the conventional military build-up and creeping proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the Gulf and the resulting changes in Saudi Arabia's security position. All of these factors have critical implications for stability within the Kingdom, within the Gulf, as well as in the broader global context.
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