THE HOUSE IN ORDER: THE ROYAL FAMILY REACTS TO SEPTEMBER 11

CROWN PRINCE ABDALLAH FORGES A NEW PATH. WILL IT LAST?

Following the September 11 attack on the United States, ordered by an opposition Saudi politician in exile, Usama bin Laden, the royal family awoke to a mess: Not only had the Saudi government's intelligence services failed miserably--their failure was now risking Saudi Arabia's historic alliance with the United States.

There was anger in the United States against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. September 11 and America's indignant reaction caught the Saudi establishment by surprise. That establishment suddenly felt under a three-pronged attack. First, domestically, the establishment discovered the popularity of a politician-in-exile, Usama Bin Laden. It could see that, perhaps, things could disintegrate and a hitherto pliant public go rebellious. Second, regionally, the establishment could feel the rage in the Arab world against the United States, and its foremost ally, the Kingdom, brought about by the heavy-handed and eminently unequal Israeli military assault on the Palestinian Arabs. Third, internationally, the establishment could taste for the first time the true possibility that the United States could break its relationship with the royal family and its government.

Crown Prince Abdallah and his associates went to work. They launched a campaign of their own to achieve three goals. First, they wanted to make sure that their government was safe and protected. To that end, they assured the allegiance of the various military and security outfits who would have to protect the government, should popular turmoil materialize. Second, Abdallah needed to absorb domestic anger and dissatisfaction. And third, Abdallah wanted to re-confirm the special relationship with the United States, albeit the Saudi citizenry believed the latter was behind the military onslaught against the Palestinians.